Hello 4-H photography members, this is Luke Duran. I’m the 4-H Photography project superintendent. This is my 13th year leading this program, and I’m looking forward to working with you!
I try to lead the photography project differently every year, so we’re always learning something new, keeping things interesting, and improving upon the program. We will have a series of monthly workshops, as well as some “in the field” photo opportunities. We will do a lot of the work at our meetings, so it should be a fun and collaborative effort. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to share your photos, because review and critique are part of what makes you a better photography. And we are very fortunate to have many talented photographers and professionals who use photography that are willing to volunteer their time and share their experience and knowledge with you.
Please note: workshop participation is required:
Like many other 4-H projects, you will need to attend a minimum of four (4) photography workshops throughout the year in order to exhibit your photos at our 2026 county 4-H fair. If you live a distance from Helena, like Augusta or Lincoln, and getting to the meetings is difficult, you’ll need to notify Luke well in advance to make alternative plans. We will take attendance at each workshop. If you do not attend at least 4 workshops, you will not be able to exhibit photography projects at the fair, nor complement the 4-H project.
If this is first year in the Photography project, I strongly recommend that you work through the 4-H Photography Project Level 1 book.
There is some very good information in this book on the basics of photography, like lighting, composition, exposure and perspective. You can order a project book on your own here: Shop 4-H
More workshops will be announced after I finalize our schedule. We will be meeting on Thursdays after school, typically starting at 5:30 p.m.. Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate. Cloverbuds may also attend and participate if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Stay in touch!
I will communicate with photography project members in three different ways, so you’ll always know when our workshops are, deadlines for projects and events, and to ask questions. Please make sure you enroll in these to get information. Note—if you have been enrolled in the photography project before, you’ll need to sign up again to receive news for this new 4-H year:
- Newsletter: Check the 4-H county newsletter. You’ll find a photography project update in every issue: https://www.lccountymt.gov/Government/MSU-Extension/4-H
- Email: Sign up to receive emails by completing the form at right >>
- Website: Bookmark this website. I’ll continue to update this site throughout the 4-H year.
- BAND: Join the Lewis & Clark 4-H Photo BAND group.
Camera gear
Members and families have asked me for recommendations on photography gear. Please visit the Resources page for some suggestions >>Resources
