Shoot, Share, Grow: Why You Should Join an Underwater Photography Society

Why Join an Underwater Photography Society?

Whether you’re new to underwater photography or a seasoned shooter, joining an underwater photography society can open up a world of opportunities to grow, connect, and share your passion. These societies offer more than just a chance to improve your technical skills — they provide a vibrant community of like-minded enthusiasts, a gateway to global competitions, and access to top-tier presentations and mentorship programs. Better still, many societies offer remote access and recorded meetings, making participation possible no matter where you live.

Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Build a Community

Societies connect you with fellow underwater photographers who share your passion. You can network, make friends, find dive buddies, and even travel with other members. Many clubs offer both in-person and virtual meetups, creating opportunities to engage whether you live nearby or not.

2. Learn and Grow

Societies often host monthly meetings with educational presentations from world-renowned photographers. Topics range from conservation storytelling to exploration diving. Many clubs also offer mentorship opportunities where experienced members help guide beginners and intermediates.

3. Competitions and Feedback

Most societies offer monthly photo and video contests that encourage regular shooting and improvement. These contests are a great way to gain constructive feedback and recognition. Some also offer major awards with impressive prizes.

4. Access to Meetings, Recordings, and Archives

With remote access becoming standard, most clubs offer hybrid or online-only meetings. Many also record sessions and maintain an archive of past presentations that members can revisit anytime.

5. Unique Programs and Travel Opportunities

Clubs often organize official or informal dive trips, both locally and abroad. These trips combine social engagement with photography opportunities and often center around iconic locations.

6. Choosing the Right Society for You

When selecting a society, consider your location, time zone, skill level, and areas of interest (e.g., macro, video, conservation). Some clubs have strong regional dive communities, while others prioritize international speakers or competitions. Look at meeting formats, mentorship options, and how active the society is on social media or online forums.

Now, let’s look more closely at three standout underwater photography societies and what makes each unique.

South Florida Underwater Photography Society (SFUPS)

 🔗 https://sfups.org

Founded in 1980, the South Florida Underwater Photography Society (SFUPS) is one of the most active and globally connected underwater photography clubs in the world. With 230 members representing over a dozen countries, SFUPS has evolved far beyond its South Florida roots — though its home base near premier dive destinations like the Blue Heron Bridge, the Florida Keys, and the Bahamas remains a draw for many. “There is a high concentration of underwater photographers in South Florida due to the amazing diving conditions,” says SFUPS President Chris Burmaster.

SFUPS offers a dynamic combination of education, mentorship, and community for photographers and videographers at all levels. Meetings alternate between in-person gatherings and Zoom sessions, which are recorded and made available to members for later viewing — making it easy for members from the UK, Germany, Dubai, Australia, and beyond to stay connected.

Global Membership: Open to members worldwide with remote access and recorded Zoom meetings (every other meeting).

Highlights include:

• Monthly Meetings with Guest Speakers: SFUPS regularly hosts presentations by internationally renowned photographers and filmmakers. Past speakers have included Alex Mustard, Amos Nachoum, and Erin Quigley.

• 3M Program (Members Mentoring Members): A structured mentorship initiative that pairs newer or developing photographers with experienced members for one-on-one guidance on topics like lighting, composition, and post-processing — via phone, Zoom, or even dive outings.

• Photo and Video Contests: Monthly competitions are divided into Challenger (beginner/intermediate) and Master (advanced) categories, with entries accumulating points toward the annual Photographer of the Year title. Prizes in recent years have included a Red Sea liveaboard, a $3,000 voucher to Wakatobi Resort, and a Bahamas video trip.

• Expanded Focus on Video: Reflecting the growth of mirrorless video, SFUPS has made its video contests a monthly fixture. “Videos tend to pique people’s interest more effectively than photos,” notes Burmaster. “Many don’t realize the role reefs play in protecting our eroding shorelines.”

• Safety Education: Burmaster contributes a monthly “Safety Stop” column for members, highlighting lessons learned and best practices to improve safety while shooting underwater. Topics include redundancy, pre-dive planning, gear checks, and common risk scenarios.

• Ambassador of the Year: Awarded annually to the most actively engaged member — regardless of geographic location.

• Dive Outings and Expeditions: SFUPS organizes regular in-water events ranging from blackwater dives off Florida’s coast to hammerhead trips to Bimini and manatee encounters in the Florida Springs.

At its core, SFUPS exists to support a vibrant and inclusive community of underwater image-makers. Through regular meetings, contests, mentorship, and shared experiences both online and in the water, the club continues to grow its international footprint while staying grounded in the reefs and wrecks of South Florida.

British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP)

🔗 https://bsoup.org.uk

Founded in 1967 by Peter Scoones and Colin Doeg, the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) is one of the oldest underwater photography clubs in the world. In its early days, underwater photography was a niche pursuit filled with technical challenges — from homemade housings to unspecialized lenses and experimental strobe setups, including early flash innovations pioneered by BSoUP members. While technology has transformed over the decades — from film to digital and beyond — BSoUP’s mission has remained consistent: to inspire, educate, and connect underwater photographers while fostering both skills development and lasting friendships.

BSoUP may sound formal — but at heart, it's a welcoming club for anyone passionate about shooting below the surface. “Despite the grand name, we’re really just a friendly group of underwater photographers,” says Alex Mustard, the Society’s President. “Anyone can join BSoUP — pronounced like ‘pea soup,’ as members affectionately call it — whether you’re an experienced shooter with a pro-level rig or just starting out with a phone in a housing. And while we're UK-based, we now have members from all over the world.”

Global Membership: Open to members worldwide with accessible online programming.

Highlights include:

• Digital Magazine: A beautifully produced publication — In Focus Magazine featuring member images, interviews, tips, and competition results which is delivered to members inboxes two to three times a year.

• Photo Competitions: BSoUP runs a free monthly photo competition exclusively for its members, judged by acclaimed underwater photographers from around the world. The focus isn’t just on picking winners — detailed feedback is provided to help photographers refine their skills and grow.

• BSoUP Book: Every couple of years, the society publishes a curated book of award-winning member images — a high-quality print volume provided free to members.

• Top-Tier Guest Speakers: Monthly meetings often feature international photographers and experts. Meetings also include a section on “How I Got the Shot” which has become very popular.

• Martin Edge Lecture Series: An annual event honoring BSoUP member, Martin Edge’s legacy. Launched in 2021, last year’s lecture at Imperial College London drew 75 attendees and featured BSoUP member Nick More, on macro photography.

• Hybrid Format: Meetings are accessible online, and presentations are recorded for viewing by members at a later date.

• Extensive Members Area: The BSoUP website offers exclusive access to judges’ feedback, a six-year archive of recorded meetings, past magazine issues, and a library of underwater photography articles.

• Active Facebook Group: Open to non-members, it's a vibrant space to ask questions, share images, and see what the society is all about.

• Informal Group Trips: Past trips have included visits to Lundy Island, the Red Sea, and Scotland.

Fundamentally, BSoUP exists to inspire, educate, and connect underwater photographers. “Our goal is to bring people together to learn and grow,” says Mustard. Monthly meetings, held online on the third Tuesday of each month, feature presentations from leading photographers and a themed photo competition. These contests aren’t just about winning — they provide valuable feedback and allow members to track their progress over time. Meetings also include open discussion, where members can chat, share tips, or announce upcoming trips and gear for sale. Sessions are recorded and made available for members to watch on demand.

Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS)

🔗 https://www.ncups.org

Founded in 1957, the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS) is one of the longest-running underwater photography clubs in the world. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the club has evolved with the times — and since COVID, its meetings have shifted entirely online, opening access to members beyond California. While the majority of members remain local, NCUPS welcomes participation from underwater photographers anywhere.

Global Membership: Virtual meetings allow members from outside California to participate, though the club retains strong roots in the Bay Area.

Highlights include:

• Monthly Zoom Meetings: Held virtually, each meeting includes a themed mini competition and a featured presentation by a top underwater photographer. Past speakers have included Marty Snyderman, Berkley White, Martin Broen, and Matt Sullivan. Speaker recordings are available on NCUPS’ YouTube channel.

• Photo Competitions: Winners of the monthly mini competition are determined by secret ballot at the meeting. Each month, participants earn points — and by year’s end, the top scorer is named Photographer of the Year. Monthly winners also compete in a year-end vote for Photo of the Year.

• Monterey Shoot-Out: An annual splash-in style competition in partnership with Backscatter Photo & Video. The event attracts participants from across the country and includes prizes, speaker seminars, and an awards ceremony in Monterey.

• Community and Activities: In addition to virtual meetings, NCUPS hosts an annual in-person holiday party and encourages informal dive outings around California, including trips to Monterey and the Channel Islands.

NCUPS exists to bring together passionate divers and photographers in a welcoming, skill-building environment. “We’re a group of people who love the ocean and love capturing it through a lens,” says Paul Rosenblum, Director at Large. “The club gives people a place to grow and share, no matter whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.”

Additional Societies

Are you looking for additional underwater photography societies? Here’s a list we found. If you know of other active societies, please comment!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to improve your technique, connect with a global community of like-minded shooters, or gain exposure through competitions and publications, joining an underwater photography society can accelerate your growth. These clubs offer not only inspiration and education, but also a sense of belonging — whether you’re just getting started or refining your craft at an advanced level.

Most societies make joining easy and affordable, with annual membership fees typically ranging from $25 to $75. Some even offer discounts for families and students. No matter where you live, the tools to grow your craft and community are only a membership away.