1977-1978 Serendipity-the unexpected happening best describes our beginning. Some of us enrolled in a Belleville Area College photography class being taught at the Collinsville High School. As the class neared the end, we didn't want to stop. We enjoyed working with people who had a variey of photographic interests and wanted to keep meeting. So someone said, "Let's start a camera club".We got busy, prepared a notice, sent it to anyone we knew who had a camera-or wanted one. On May 11, 1977, fifteen charter members formed the COLLINSVILLE AREA CAMERA CLUB.

The Collinsville Herald published notice of this major event and by our second meeting we had 26 members. After having an exhibit at St. Clair Square we grew to 54 members. The constitution was approved in January 1978.Currently, we have 80 members. Members are diverse, come from a 30 mile radius of Collinsville, and have one thing in common - photography. We have been a proud member of the Photographic Society of America since the club was established in 1977.