617 Member Testimonials

"What I like about the interactions is the friendly, positive feedback. Not just likes, but real feedback that help you getting better in photography."

"The 617 Club is not a social media platform. It is a community of photographers. In the 617 Club, photographers come together to talk about photography. It is a place where you can get real feedback on your photos, be inspired by other photographers, and learn from some of the best photographers in their fields. There are tutorials, live videos, challenges where you can win prizes, and so much more. Essentially, The 617 Club is a place where photographers gather together, not as rivals, but as friends and as family."

"Photography is a solitary endeavor, it tends to draw introverts. The 617 club has allowed me to engage in an authentic way with my fellow photographers without succumbing to the ‘attention economy."

"Having the access to engagement, live lounges, articles and videos by Simon & Tom is, I find, a thrilling and fabulous enhancement to my journey in photography. But then, quite apart from the founders there's already a great sense of camaraderie, as we members bring our own quality engagement and life to it, so that it really does feel like a community."

"I’ve enjoyed the ability to connect with a positive group of like minded individuals for meaningful discussion on photography broadly and our images specifically. The atmosphere is supportive and honest. The online meetings are fun, informative and thought provoking. The platforms ability to enable real world connections and meet ups is a significant improvement over other online photography spaces."

"It defines what a community of photographers is really about. We share experiences, support, give advice where requested and all with a deep respect for each other, Tom and Simon have quickly become friends to all of us, and I look forward to our weekly Live Lounge sessions - it sets the week up."

"It’s already a great community and exactly what I’d want from a photography club - I’ve had some great feedback on my images, seen some really interesting discussions and the guest speaker line-up looks amazing. All from my convenience of my home office! None of the drama or attention seeking of social media either."

"Personally I’m loving the live sessions. Not just for the videos from Simon and Thomas, but for the community that goes with it. The humorous quips and the tips from the other members in the comments stream as the videos progress makes for a real club feel, which I guess is what it’s all about."

"617 has come just at the right time for me in my photography journey. No expectations, honest, yet friendly feedback from photographers like you and me."

"The 617 Club stands out for its thoughtful and intelligent commentary on photography, and goes far beyond the typical comments you get on social media. The members and founders truly engage with the images shared, offering insights that have helped me grow as a photographer. I've also found Simon Baxter's videos on woodland composition particularly useful and inspiring, making the club a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of photography."

"A great place to virtually meet with new friends with no algorithms, ads, or bots. Simon and Tom have put together a great community with awesome features. You're gonna love it!"

"As a novice photographer, the 617 club is a joy to be in, learning from others and gaining valuable feedback on images and insights into how others work. It’s a club I feel safe and comfortable sharing my work for feedback, and everyone is treated with dignity and respect."

"I've grown to loath social media, particularly as a source or outlet of photography so to paraphrase Michael Corleone, 'just when I thought I was out, 617 pulled me back in *'"

"A great place to interact with fellow photographers for support, advice, constructive critique and just a bit of chat. Live sessions with Simon and Tom provide a lot of useful advice and insight in an informal setting that really builds a sense of community."

"As someone who has found their own way in photography I still feel the desire for community and togetherness that has been amiss on traditional social media platforms for some time now. The 617 Club provides that in abundance. When I share photographs on here people don’t just hit like and move on, they really spend the time viewing them and go out of their way to give feedback. The live broadcasts are wonderful too and always put a smile on my face."

"It is a community of enthusiasts who are supportive and helpful. Questions and photo reviews are responded to robustly and provide a variety of viewpoints, which is very helpful. Thomas and Simon are receptive to feedback and actively engaged with the community. I'm a part of several photo communities, both virtual and in-person, and this one is becoming my favorite."