Members of the Bullthistle Image Makers participating in an icebreaker game where members must create a photoshoot using a random assortment of props. The group is seeking more local photographers and visual artists to join them. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Bullthistle Image Makers, a newly-formed group of photographers and artists, are seeking other creative individuals in the community to join them.

“Our mission is to foster creativity, camaraderie, and skill development among photographers of all levels in our community. Through workshops, photo walks, and collaborative projects we aim to inspire, educate, and empower members to explore the art and craft of image making while celebrating the diverse beauty of our surroundings," said Bullthistle Image Makers Founder and local photographer Timothy C. Brown.

Brown formed the group at the beginning of the year as a way to connect with other local artists and photographers, and create a core group of creatives who could learn from each other and develop their artistic skills together.

"I was wanting to be more connected to creatives because previously where I lived they were just everywhere. Smaller areas you have to be a little more in tune to people and in tune to the area," Brown explained.

"That’s kind of the idea of what I think a lot of us group members want to do is we want to get to know the people that are the makers out there and give them a community too, because it’s nice to have a community within like-minded people," he continued. "We wanted to not only be inspired by each other, but we wanted to be able to grow and learn things from each other because a lot of us have different creative skill sets and backgrounds that we pull off of."

The group began meeting in January, and Brown said they aim to meet once a month, usually on Sundays. Currently he said the group doesn't have set dates each month, and instead work with the members' schedules to find a day that works for everyone.

Since the group is so new, Brown said their first meeting in January was primarily for everyone to get to know each other, and the February meeting included icebreaker activities. Members brought in random photography props, and as a group they all worked to set up an interesting photoshoot using the props provided.

In the future, Brown said he plans to have the group go on trips and photo walks to find new subject matter. He also hopes to collaborate with other local artistic and creative groups in some way.

Although the Bullthistle Image Makers is currently made up of primarily photographers, Brown said the group is open to visual artists of all kinds.

"It’s just communicating an idea or pointing something out. So at the end of the day no matter how you capture that image, you’re still an image maker. So we’re very much open to other groups of creatives and such," he said.

Additionally, those interested in photography do not need to have a camera to join the group.

"We have iPhone photographers in our group, too. It doesn’t matter," said Brown. "You don’t have to have a camera to join, just an interest."

Brown said he hopes the group not only connects other artists and photographers, but also fosters mental wellness and positive change in its members' lives.

"Having general wellness on a daily basis is vitally important, and some people do sudoku and some people do this and that. Whatever gets you there, that’s fine. I think that’s really another thing that we’re trying to really promote is a constructive way to help people, and to be able to foster something in which they can take pride in and they can love and find satisfaction in, honing in on their craft, whatever it might be," he said.

"To have an organization that really fosters that is really important to me, because visual art, photography, anything in general, that process can completely improve and change someone's life for the good. And to have a constructive outlet to a not so promising world sometimes is absolutely a wonderful thing."

For more information on the Bullthistle Image Makers, or to join the group, contact Brown at tcbrownphotography@gmail.com.