As the last hot summer days are slowly receding, Flagpole Photographers Camera Club is warming up for its 31st year with a kickoff at the 2015 Newtown Arts Festival.

Inside the entry tent at Fairfield Hills, where the festival will be taking place Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, visitors will have the opportunity to talk with members of the club and look at selected photographs which will also be available for purchase. The booth is part of a generous $1,000 grant awarded by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, and the funds will be used to purchase additional hardware for exhibits.

The arts festival will generally take place from 10 am to 6 pm each day (two events will begin after 6 pm Saturday).

Then on Thursday, September 24, at 7:30 pm, Flagpole Photographers will officially hold their first competition at a new location. The club will begin meeting this season at Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook.

Members are challenged to showcase their best photographs in a different assigned subject every month, as well as in three additional categories: Open Digital, Open Color and Open Monochrome. The September meeting will feature the category “Nature.”

While the competitions are only open to members, the public is invited to listen to critiques and learn about photography.

New members are always welcome to join the club. Dues are $35 per person or $55 for a family. Students may join at no charge.

Monthly meetings and print competitions are held on the fourth Thursday of every month, September through June. Assigned subjects and hands on activity programs are listed on the club’s website (flagpolephotographers.com).

Flagpole Photographers is a local non-profit group that enables members to share their images and expertise, to learn and grow in their photography, and to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow photographers. Members come from diverse backgrounds, with photographic skills ranging from beginning novices to professional photographers. Anyone interested in photography, whether just starting out or someone who has been shooting photos for many years, can find a place within the club.

For additional information email info@flagpolephotographers.com or visit flagpolephotographers.com.