TBCC members, mark your calendar for our 2026 PhotoCamp , March 20-22, 2026.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST FOR ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS.

ALL ATTENDEES (CAMPING OR NOT) MUST COMPLETE THE SIGN-UP FORM BELOW.

For those who have not experienced PhotoCamp, this is an opportunity to share a weekend with fellow photographers while camping at one of Florida’s state parks. This year, we will be camping at Hillsborough River State Park, which is just east of Tampa on Hwy 301 (see map below).

We have reserved 5 adjacent RV/tent campsites, so the number of campers will be limited. But, if you don’t make it on the list of campers, you can drive out for just the day on Saturday.

If you are camping, you can arrive Friday evening and stay until Sunday morning. The campsite restrictions are as follows: 2 vehicles and 8 people per site. The sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each campsite has water, electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Since there are a limited number of sites, a limited number of vehicles, and a limited number of people, allowed per site, it is important that you fill out the form below accurately so that our organizers can calculate the logistics as the event fills up. The reserved campsites have been paid for by TBCC.

Amenities include showers and restrooms.

There is a $6 per vehicle entry fee to the state park. $4 for a single-occupant vehicle.

THERE IS A BURN BAN IN EFFECT IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DUE TO THE DROUGHT, SO UNLESS WE GET A LOT OF RAIN BEFORE MARCH 20, WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO USE GRILLS AND CAMP STOVES.

Friday

Check-in time on Friday is: 3 PM

Those who register for camping will receive the gate code just prior to the event.

There are no restaurants nearby, so it is best to bring your own dinner for Friday.

Hang out with your fellow early-arriving photographers.

Saturday

We have several activities planned for attendees. This is the currently planned itinerary; however, be aware that any of it is subject to change at any time up until and during the event.

If you are not camping, you can still join us for just the morning photowalk, lunch, afternoon free time, potluck dinner, and/or night shoot (weather permitting).

A map and details will be sent to those who sign up.

Saturday morning, there will be a photo walk led by Jim Sykes, on trails in Hillsborough River State Park, starting around 10 AM. We will meet at the campsites, which is just off the loop road within the park. We will wrap up the photowalk around 12:30 -1 PM.

When we return to the campgrounds around 1:30 PM, TBCC will host a lunch for attendees at the campsites. All food and drinks for lunch will be provided by the club. Donations of snacks and/or additional drinks will be appreciated, however. Please bring your own food if you have special dietary needs. Also, all food must be packed away in cars as the raccoons are very active.

Please bring your own chairs.

Over lunch, and for a bit longer, if needed, we will have a photography discussion moderated by Robert Rostick. The last five years have been quite enlightening!

After lunch, there will be time for campers to set up their camping gear on the campsite if you arrived that morning. There will also be time to explore the park or just hangout at the campsites.

Around sunset, everyone will gather at our central campsite for a potluck dinner. Everyone who is staying for dinner should bring a food item to share with the group. TBCC will provide paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils for the potluck dinner. There will be options to cook food on the grills or on camp stoves.

After dinner, any interested attendees can join in some night photography, provided that the weather or clouds don’t interfere.

For the remainder of the evening, we will enjoy time at the campsites as long as anyone wants to stay or stay up.

Sunday

Check-out time on Sunday is: 1 PM

SIGN-UP FORM – MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL ATTENDEES

SAMPLE IMAGES FROM THE PARK

MAP TO HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK

I want to thank all those members, and plus 1’s, who came out to Philippe Park on Sunday (December 7, 2025) to join in the food, fellowship, and fun for our 2025 Annual Awards and Holiday Party!

As usual, the food was amazing and yummy! And even though it rained most of the time we were there, Pavilion #8 did a great job of keeping us and the food dry!

We had a wonderful surprise visitor, Victoria Drum, our Secretary, who lives in Texas, drove to Florida to join in the fun of our annual party! We love you, Vic!

Lynn played two songs she created, “Christmas in Florida” and “TBCC 2025”. Jim has added the tracks to the highlight video he has made of the party. (see below)

We had a great turnout for our “Story Display” exhibit; the stories were educational, inspirational, and funny!

We changed things up a bit with our free raffle this year as we gave away four $50 B&H Gift Cards, 8 poinsettias, a camera bag, and 2 embroidered Christmas towels (donated by Sue Harvey)!

Richard Edwards won our 50/50 Raffle and graciously donated his winnings to CWE, the organization that puts on the golf tournament fundraiser for medical missions to South America and Africa, for which 14 TBCC members worked as photography volunteers back in November.

Thank you to the Board of Directors, plus Lorrie Maniscalco and Lourdes Fusco, for putting the party all together and cleaning up in record time!

The Annual Awards

We had 16 members qualify per the eligibility rules listed on our website. https://mytbcc.com/about/competition-rules/

Congratulations go to:

1st Place – Lourdes Fusco

2nd Place – Liwen Tao

3rd Place – Ron Buening

4th Place – Richard Edwards

5th Place – Karen Robinson

6th Place – Lee Brand

Special thanks were given to Lynn (thank you) and to our two Pros, Robert Rostick and Jim Sykes

Highlights Video created by Jim Sykes

We are serious about learning photography, but we also know how to have fun and eat!

Happy New Year! 🥳

Lynn W.