We were founded in 1984 by members of the Marwell Zoological Society and Marwell Zoo keepers who had an interest in photography, and joined the Southern Photographic Federation in that year.

The group quickly grew and established itself, with regular meetings every 2nd Thursday at Marwell Hall, and monthly weekend outings to local nature areas.

In the Minutes of the very first AGM it was noted that "MZSPG is for friendly people on first-name terms, not formality." A statement that holds true today as it did then.

In the late 80's the group declined and with fewer members, found it increasingly difficult to operate. However, by concentrating on the original aims of a friendly meeting place with entertaining and informative talks, reducing the pressure on members to produce work, encouraging beginners, and promoting the group as a general photographic group rather than the misconception of just being for zoo photography it survived and has again flourished.

Our original meeting place was Marwell Hall. The rooms had 'character' and, of course, the Marwell ghost (who never paid to join the group!). As we grew, we began to outgrow the rooms.

However, we now have a fantastic venue for meetings in the Conservation Education Centre at Marwell Zoo. State of the art projection facilities and a lecture theatre to seat 160 will see us well into the future!

The group has developed closer links with other photographic clubs and with groups both inside and outside Marwell. And with our presence on the Internet, now even further afield.

In 2005, the Marwell Zoological Society and the Marwell Preservation Trust were merged, and resulting from that, the Photohgraphic Group became known as the Marwell Photographic Group.

Ffinally, some of those inaugural members from 1984 are still active members today. A testament to the other comment from the very first AGM..."Experts are those people who have made more mistakes than beginners!"

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