July 2026

From the President...

It is hot weather time for us in Arizona, and it looks like our monsoon season has started. Though I understand that Green Valley, for the most part, missed this first batch of rain. Chris and I are currently in Steamboat Springs for a few days, escaping the 100-degree weather, but then heading over to Moab where we will hit the heat again.

Speaking of heat, my choice this month for a city to visit is Phoenix. We all know that it is the capital of Arizona, and one of the hottest places in the state, but did you know that it is now the fifth-most populous city in the U.S.? It is also the most populous state capital. It was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the junction of the Gila and Salt Rivers. Phoenix became the state capital in 1912, when Arizona was admitted to the union as the 48th state. As for places to visit, and perhaps get some good photos, check out the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo, or Camelback Mountain. The Heard Museum explores the vibrant and rich history of American Indian Art. If you are interested in auto racing, the Penske Racing Museum may be the place for you. I personally recommend the Musical Instrument Museum. This place is amazing and you can easily spend the whole day there. Sign up to take a tour of the Wrigley Mansion and stop at the bar for a drink after you are done. So many things to see in Phoenix.

Fun fact time: Every time you drink a margarita, you owe a debt of gratitude to Arizona. On June 6, 1936, the first barrel of tequila produced in the U.S rolled off the production line in Nogales, Arizona.

Club news: Members will soon have another location to display their work. The cafe area of the Del Sol Clubhouse will soon have wall space set aside for us to share with the Santa Rita Art League. If you wish, you will be able to sell your work. All work must be Desert themed. There is not a date set for this, but hopefully it will happen within the month. We will send out an e-blast when we get closer to things being ready. We are waiting for GVR to put up slatwall board, like what we have in the club, and then we have to meet with Art League members to decide how we will share the space.

Summer field trips are back! You have probably received emails regarding new field trips for the summer. Take a look. We always have a good time on these outings.

Don’t forget to send your photos to Sue Ready for our Facebook page. She has been getting some good submissions but can always use more. It is always nice to see what everyone is up to.

If you have any items you wish to sell, please let Monica Parker know. She will put them in the next newsletter.

“If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.”

-- Linda McCartney

Kim Holmes, President

GVR Centers' Photo Exhibits 

Be sure to stop by the club and the GVR centers to check out the beautiful photos!

I encourage you to join our photographers who are currently exhibiting. If you wish to participate, you can find instructions in the Photo Exhibit Guidelines page on the Club's website here.

Feel free to drop off your framed photos at the club. If you have a preference of where to place your photos, leave a note on your submittal paperwork. 

If you have questions please contact Kirk Hively, kehively@yahoo.com (520-349-5593) or Julie Howard (402-202-4423).

Kirk Hively, Exhibits Coordinator

Keep Our Facebook Page in Mind

Be sure to submit your photos of vacation and summer events, both in and out of Arizona, to the Facebook page for others to enjoy. Submit to suready@yahoo.com.

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Photo of the Month

The Photo of the Month is chosen from new and archived photos submitted to Sue Ready, the club's Facebook Coordinator. Keep sending the best of your work to Sue at suready@yahoo.com so we may continue to showcase the refined capabilities of GVR Photography Club members. Photos should be submitted in .jpg format and please include its title and location. -ed

The SIG facilitators are busy updating their websites with new class descriptions and outlining their future plans. They should be all set for the fall season!

We are also finishing the final touches with the new program of welcoming new members with a more personalized tour of our facility and getting more people to become familiarized with what is available at the club. Hopefully, we will expand to offer current members the same program.

 I believe there are still programs and classes we can offer that will make being a member of the club even more rewarding. If there’s a particular area we could fill, I’d love to help out. If you’re interested in expanding our club’s programs, please feel free to reach out to me at jgardner65@comcast.net.

Don't Stop Learning!

Jim Gardner, Education Chair

Library News

Happy 250th Birthday America!

Our Library has books on photographing the wildlife, mountains, rivers, cities, small towns, grasslands, forests, people, weather, and highways and byways of the United States. There are pages of historical monuments and history-making moments. We have books on digital and IPhone cameras and how to make videos of your adventures.

With the ease of taking photos with an IPhone, we can document a split-second view. I took this photo of Cincinnati, Ohio from the passenger seat, traveling at 60 mph.

Explore our beautiful America!

Becky McCreary, Librarian

This Month's Club Activities

Jump to SIGs

Jump to Travelogue

Jump to Field Trips

Jump to Photo Ops

Jump to Showtime

Jump to Speaker Series

Check the Club Calendar for the latest information on all club activities. Photography Club members are also welcome and encouraged  to attend the club's Board of Directors meetings. The next Board meeting will be held October 12, 2026.  Check the Club Calendar for meeting specifics and attend in-person at the club, or remotely by registering using this link. The Board is always interested in comments and new ideas from the members.

Need help with your digital camera, smartphone camera, slide/print scanning, photo printing or a photo editing software application? Photography Club Volunteer Helpers are available to help. Log in to the club’s website. Click on the three bars at the far right of the home page menu bar and select Volunteer Helpers. Once you've found a helper, scroll down to see their contact email listed. Help is just a few clicks away.

Showtime

Greetings, fellow photographers,

I’m going on vacation — got my suitcases packed…

Where are you adventuring this summer? Visiting family, reconnecting with friends, or exploring brand‑new territory?

Wherever you wander and whatever you discover, I know you’ll be capturing moments along the way. Photos, videos, little snippets of life — they all become treasures when you look back on them.

Our Multi‑Media SIG meets every Monday morning, and we’re your creative pit crew. We’ll help you turn your travel treasures into fun, fabulous videos you can share at Showtime or with friends and family. Future generations will thank you for the entertainment.

Now go forth, explore boldly, and shoot like the world is your movie set.

Todd F Taylor, Showtime Host

Travelogue

Are some of you traveling this summer - how about travel you've done this past year? Anne and I are sure eager to share your videos starting in November.  

I have a fun video from our recent trip to New Zealand which includes paragliding and so much more.  Let us know what you are up to!  You can contact us at sherrie.LCBG@gmail.com or daveandanne@msn.com.

And remember, some of the Travelogues are now available on YouTube. Search GVR Photography Club/Travelogue.

Thank you so much!

Sherrie Lee Lucia & Anne Karakatsoulis

Travelogue Co-Coordinators

Speaker Series

Field Trips

If you’ve checked your email or visited the club’s website recently, you’ve no doubt noticed we’re starting to announce our summer season field trips. The following field trips have been announced as of press time:

• Friday 06/26/2026 - Bird/Nature Photography: Santa Rita Lodge at Madera Canyon
• Tuesday 06/30/2026 - Sunset with the Bats Season Opener
• Thursday 07/09/2026 - Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
• Friday 07/24/2026 - Sunset with the Bats - Broadway Blvd Bridge
• Saturday 07/25/2026 - Night Ops at Pima Air and Space Museum AND the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum
• Wednesday 08/12/2026 – Bird/Nature Photography: The Paton Center for Hummingbirds
• Thursday 08/27/2026 – Bird/Nature Photography: Agua Caliente Park
•  Monday 10/19/2026 – Bird/Nature Photography: Peña Blanca Lake

I stopped by our local bat roost on Elephant Head Road recently and there were hundreds, if not thousands, of bats heading out for their evening feed, so I’m hoping our Sunset with the Bats series of field trips will be especially rewarding this year. Last year’s visit to the Broadway Bridge was disappointing because we went there late in the season, so we’ve moved it up by over a month. We’re also hoping Elvis and Marilyn will make appearances at Little Anthony’s Diner before we head out to the bridge. We’re finalizing one other Sunset with the Bats trip to the Cambell Avenue Bridge so be on the lookout for that announcement.

Besides the bats, we’ll be visiting the fascinating (and air-conditioned) Mini Time Machine of Miniatures in early July and taking in Night Ops at the Pima Air and Space Museum AND the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum (which only takes place during the summer) later this month. Even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, there’s plenty of indoor exhibits to check out between these two world-class museums.

Below are additional trips we’re planning to conduct between July and September. We’ll be posting announcements as soon as we finalize the details.

• Odaiko Sonora Taiko Drums Behind-the-Scenes – late July or August
• Skydive Arizona – September or October
• Summer Night Market at Old Tucson – late July, August or September
• Tucson Museum of Art
• University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum

Speaking of skydiving, Skydive Arizona will be hosting the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Skydiving Championships from October 17–24, 2026, bringing together the world’s top skydiving athletes to compete across Formation Skydiving, Artistic Events, Speed Skydiving, and Canopy Piloting disciplines. They will also be hosting attempts at setting several world records in formation skydiving during events in September and October. We’re working with Skydive Arizona to identify the best dates to visit during two or more of these events. Stay tuned!

As always, we’re on the lookout for members who would like to become field trip leaders or help take care of the many behind-the-scenes tasks that help us make field trip administration look effortless. Please let me know if you are interested.

You’re also welcome to become a member of the Field Trip Committee. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month; just sign up on the club’s website so I’ll know to include you in the invitations.

Wishing everyone a fun summer and safe travels wherever your journeys may take you!

Tom Parker, Field Trip Chair

Photo Opportunities

There are several celebrations taking place in July. Check out the 4th of July Stars and Stripes parade and drone show with ground fireworks in Sahuarita or the Star-Spangled Spectacular in Marana. Enjoy cool evening events at Old Tucson, the Mescal Movie Set, or the Pima Air and Space Museum & Tucson Military Vehicle Museum. Go underground at Kartchner Caverns, Colossal Cave, or the Titan Missile Museum. All great reasons to get out and have fun with your camera, smartphone or other digital device.

Registration for the Tucson Bird Alliance’s (formerly the Tucson Audubon Society) Southeast Arizona Birding Festival to be held August 6-10 is also underway. Learn more here.

Finally, don’t forget about Historic Canoa Ranch. Pima County has been slow to announce upcoming events -- typically after our newsletter goes to press -- but there’s usually something happening at the Ranch. Check for events by going here. 

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

• Daily, park hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – Prices vary
• 16721 East Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ
• Find more information here.

Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center

• Daily, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Tours at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm) – Free
• Pima County Historic Courthouse, 115 North Church Avenue. Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Titan Missile Museum

• Thursdays to Mondays, 9:45 am to 5:00 pm – fees vary, reservations recommended
• 1580 West Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Sahuarita Stars & Stripes

• Jul 4, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Free
• Anamax Park, 17501 South Camino De Las Quintas, Sahuarita, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Marana Star-Spangled Spectacular

• July 4, 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm (fireworks at 9:00 pm) - Free.
• Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 North Silverbell Road, Marana, AZ. 
• Find more information here. 

Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro House

• Jul 11; 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Free
• San Pedro House Visitor Center, 9800 East Highway 90, Sierra Vista, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Sunset Historical Film Tours at the Mescal Movie Set

• Jul 11, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm – $20, Reservations required
• Mescal Movie Set, 1538 North Mescal Road, Benson, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Summer Night Market

• Jul 11 and 25, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm - Free
• Old Tucson, 201 South Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Vigilante Sundays

• Jul 12 and 26, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm - Free
• 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Kartchner Caverns Photo Tour

• Jul 18, 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm - $175, Registration required
• Kartchner Caverns State Park, 9 miles South of Benson on Hwy 90.
• Find more information here. 

Night Ops at Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson Military Vehicle Museum

• Jul 18 and 25, 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm – $15 (covers both museums)
• Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here. 

Bull Riding in Tombstone

• Jul 25, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, pre-show at 6:00 pm - $20
• Shoot-Out Arena, 365 South 3rd Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here. 

We are always looking for recommendations for future photo opportunities. Please feel free to contact me If you have suggestions for upcoming events of interest.

Tom Parker, Photo Op Coordinator

Special Interest Groups are fun and educational. Any member of the Photography Club is welcome to attend any of the SIGs.

Click on any of the links listed to get more information on each one.

Multimedia SIG
Black and White SIG

Studio and Fine Art SIG

On Assignment SIG

Photoshop/Lightroom SIG

Canon R Series SIG

Photoshop Elements SIG

Wildlife Photography SIG

Monitor Notes

Monitors typically welcome and check in club members, answer the phone, and inform those seeking information about the club. We are all indebted to the dedicated team of monitors who volunteer to keep the Photography Club open. Many thanks to all of you.

We are always looking for additional monitors. Help us provide all the benefits the club offers to its members. As you take advantage of the club's activities and its extensive digital processing equipment, consider sharing the effort in providing these services by volunteering as a monitor.  You are not expected to know how to use the equipment. Training takes about three hours.

Contact: gvrcameramonitors@gmail.com for more information.

Photography Items

Wanted

or

For Sale

Do you have any used photography equipment that you want to sell or are looking to buy? List those items in the newsletter.

All items:

• May be placed only by current, past or families of past members.
  
• Must be for used photography related equipment.
  
• Must include your name, or the name of the past member, and contact information.
• Should be submitted to mparker582@aol.com.
• Must be placed by the 25th of the month prior to the month of listing.
• Will run for one month but may be resubmitted up to three times to be listed again.

GVR Photography Club

The GVR Photography Club is one of the largest photography clubs in the U.S. with over 500 active members. Regardless of your skill level, you'll have fun honing your skills in taking, editing, and presenting photos and videos. Share your photographic passion with others. Take FREE courses and join our Special Interest Groups to get the most from your digital camera, smartphone, action camera, or drone. Learn the ins and outs of post-processing software. Use our state-of-the-art equipment to digitize and edit photos, slides, and videos. Go on club Field Trips to practice your photographic skills. Exhibit your photos/videos at our Showtime and Travelogue events. Come make friends and photographs!

The Photography Club is located on the 2nd floor of the west wing at the Santa Rita Springs GVR Recreation Center. You may contact us at:

PO Box 1423, Green Valley, AZ 85622 or gvrphotographyclub@gmail.com. 

Monica Parker, Newsletter Editor 

mparker582@aol.com, 618-304-1164