Scott Kelby’s 10th Anniversary Worldwide Photowalk is coming!

About a week ago it was officially announced, the 10^th Anniversary Worldwide Photowalk is scheduled for Saturday October 7^th.  Photowalks are scheduled every year on the first Saturday of October and this year is sort of special because it marks the 10^th Anniversary of the Worldwide Photowalk.  The Photowalk proudly supports the Springs of Hope Orphanage in Kenya. Although donations are not mandatory, every dollar donated helps feed, educate and provides housing for these kids.

If you’ve never been on one of these Photowalks, you might want to check one out. They are totally free and are a great way to meet fellow photographers. Plus you could enter the annual Photowalk Contest and get a chance to win some awesome prizes from companies like Canon and B & H Photo. I’ve attended six of these personally and look forward to this year’s event. 

I love Photowalks and think they are a lot of fun. You start by joining a group of your choice; there are thousands to choose from all around the globe. On the day of the photowalk you begin by meeting up with your group at a specific meeting place. Groups can be up to up to 50 other photographers.  Then your group leader leads your group on a pre-determined route through an area that is photographically interesting.  I try to go to new areas when I go on these and I’ve attended photowalks in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. These are a great way to see new things that I don’t usually get to photograph and meet other photographers. The Photowalks usually last around two hours or so and when you’re through your walk, all the attendee’s meet up at a local restaurant or pub (chosen in advance by the walk leader) where you can have a meal or some drinks and share photos and stories from the walk. It’s a great way to make some new friends and get out shooting with other photographers.

 

If this sounds like something you might enjoy, sign up quickly and mark your calendar. Remember, it’s not mandatory to make a donation but every dollar helps take care of some children who could use your support. Participating on a Photowalk also gives you chance to enter the contest and take a shot at winning some great prizes. Maybe you’ll win one of these fantastic prizes? Every year Scott picks one Grand Prize winner and 10 finalists. This year’s Grand Prize winner wins a Canon EOSM5 Mirrorless Camera with an EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS lens, and a Canon Pixma Pro color printer and a $250 B&H Gift Certificate, plus some other really cool prizes. They also have beginner’s contest and another contest for best video. The video part of the contest includes a Canon EOS 80D, complete with Lens, Microphone Power Zoom and a 32GB card.  A complete video package! Nice huh?

Check out all the great prizes to see what you could win. Maybe they don’t have a photowalk in your area?  You could sign up to be a Photowalk Leader. All leaders will receive a copy of Scotts book, The Photoshop CC book for Digital Photographers.  Click on any of the Photowalk links for more info and a list of all the great prizes.

Who knows, maybe I’ll bump into you on this year’s photowalk?

9th Annual Worldwide Photowalk

A couple weeks ago the date was announced for Scott Kelbys - 9th Annual Worldwide Photowalk. This year’s walk is scheduled for Saturday October 1^st. If you’ve never gone on one of these you owe it to yourself to check one out. Groups are filling up fast so you’ve got to sign up quickly if you’re interested in participating.

  

I’ve been lucky enough to go on seven of these walks myself and they’ve always been fun. I’ve gone on Photowalks from Providence, RI all the way up to Bar Harbor, Maine. I always like to  explore new places but this year I’m staying kind of local (Boston, MA) The first year the photowalks started (2008) I signed up for one in Boston and had a really good time. This year I’ve signed up for another one in Boston, in another part of the city. Boston has tons of shooting possibilities. It should be a great time and I’m looking forward to it.

Photowalks are a fun way to explore new places, meet new friends and be part of a great cause. The Photowalk itself is totally free but when you sign up you have the option of donating a dollar towards the Springs of Hope Orphanage in Kenya. Most of the children at SOHK have been orphaned, abandoned or abused and have nowhere else to turn. Since the first year they teamed up with the orphanage, back in 2009, these Photowalks have helped to raise over $100,000. Donating is totally optional, but some people donate more and it really helps out. 

Photowalks are great social events where groups of photographers (up to 50 photographers) get together for a couple hours and explore new areas while making new friends and taking photos. At the end of the walks, they all get together at a local watering hole or restaurant and compare photos and talk about the day. Then to make things even better, they have the option of uploading their best photo of the day to their walk leader and he (or she) will pick a winner from their group and submit it into a worldwide competition for some really great prizes. This year’s event is being sponsored by Canon and the grand prize is a new Canon 5D Mk III complete with lens. There is also a Canon 80D all set up for video with a Robe microphone and Wi-Fi grip. There are all sorts of other great prizes including gift cards and Kelbyone memberships. If you want to find out more, check out this link. Worldwide Photowalk. 
Who knows, maybe I’ll see some of you on my walk? In the meantime, keep shooting and have some fun!