History of the Society

Richmond & Twickenham Photographic Society is one of the oldest photographic societies in the country.

Brief history

  • 1890: the society was formed as the Richmond Amateur Photographic Society.
  • 1893: name was changed to Richmond Camera Club to reflect that the membership included professionals and amateurs.
  • 1930: accepted our first women members.
  • 1900 to 1915: a regular annual exhibition was held, resuming in 1920 and continuing every year since, except for 1943.
  • 1946: amalgamated with the Twickenham Photographic Society.
  • 1965: the society finally settled on its present name.
  • 2009: achieved charity status.

Our Presidents

Five of the society's members have become Presidents of the Royal Photographic Society.

Richmond Camera Club

1890-1912F. P. Cembrano FRPS
1912-1933Dr G. H. Rodman Hon FRPS *
1933-1938W. Sanderson
1938-1951

Twickenham Photographic Society

1938-1946Dr S. D. Jouhar FRPS
1946-1948C. W. Watkin ARPS
1948-1950Dr S. D. Jouhar FRPS

Richmond & Twickenham Photographic Society

1950-1952J. E. P. Bardsley Hon FRPS *
1952-1954W. G. Morris ARPS
1954-1956H. S. Fry FRPS
1956-1957C. H. Silver ARPS
1957-1958P. R. S. Wilkinson Hon FRPS *
1958-1959P. F. Shenton ARPS
1960-1962P. R. S. Wilkinson Hon FRPS *
1962-1964F. H. J. Sherborne ARPS
1964-1966H. S. Fry FRPS
1966-1968F. Long ARPS
1968-1970G. Morris FRPS
1970-1972J. Fagg ARPS
1972-1973D. J. White ARPS
1973-1975Miss N. Kelly ARPS
1975-1977K. Evans ARPS
1977-1979G. H. Richards
1979-1981R. Donaldson
1981-1983J. Lightfoot ARPS
1983-1985G. Morris FRPS
1985-1987Mrs. L. J. Phelps FRPS
1987-1989R. Reynolds Hon FRPS *
1989-1991D. J. White ARPS
1991-1993J. Rosato
1993-1995M. Walters
1995-1997R. O. Charnock
1997-1999D. N. Baker ARPS
1999-2000D. J. White ARPS
2000-2001P. J. Charnock FRPS
2001-2002M. Gatter ARPS
2002-2003L. Viner-Caudrey
2003-2004L. B. Akid
2004-2005B. Hughes
2005-2006M. Gatter ARPS
2006-2007A. V. Smith ARPS
2007-2008M. R. Lackie LRPS
2008-2009P. J. Charnock FRPS
2009-2010Dr. E. R. C. Draper LRPS
2010-2011I. Rumbal LRPS
2011-2012B. Rankin
2012-2013R. Towell ARPS
2013-2014P. Highton LRPS
2014-2015F. Schwab ARPS
2015-2017S. Reid LRPS
2017-2018L. Marr CPAGB
2018-2019P. Dowse
2019-2020P. J. Charnock FRPS
2020-2021Dr. P. Barbour
2021-2023L. E. Clifton
2023-2024W. Akers

* indicates past president of the Royal Photographic Society
Compiled from research by M. Gatter, D. White, R. Charnock and L. Viner-Caudrey