AWARD-winning commercial photographer Richard Weston is throwing a celebration garden party at his home on Saturday.

Richard, from Wilmslow, runs Lindow Photographic Group, which has more than 40 members and is marking its 10th anniversary with a special party on World Photo Day.

“It’s a date with historic significance, commemorating the day in 1839 when the French government purchased the Daguerreotype patent and announced the invention as a gift ‘Free to the World’,” said Richard.

“Members past and present will be celebrating the achievements of a decade and looking forward to exploring new ideas, developing personal styles and ‘being inspired to be creative’ - the key objective that drives the development of the group.”

The group was originally conceived as an alternative to traditional, competition-style camera clubs, and offers a mixture of tuition and development, from studio work with models to landscape trips, guest lecturers and challenging assignments.

Although non-competitive in concept, it’s a format which has inspired an impressive roll-call of achievement, with 20 members achieving their Licentiateship of the RPS, and four the Associateship of the RPS.

One member has been admitted into the British Institute of Professional Photographers, and two others are studying for an MA in photography and a BA with the Open University respectively.

Richard said: “I’m very fortunate to be able to work with people of all ages and experience, who have such a passion for creating powerful stories through the medium of photography.

“This year’s annual summer celebration will be a culmination not only of the last 12 months’ creative output but also a look back over the founding and development of the group.

“The wealth of talent is truly astounding, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing where the next 10 years will take us.”

For more information, including details of September’s ‘Pathway to Photography’ group, please contact info@lindowphotographicgroup.co.uk or call 01625 531271