The Boston Chinese Photography Association is not just about helping people take better pictures, according to its leaders. The group is also about helping turn hobbies into lifelong forms of artistic expression.
“Some people are very interested but don’t know how to shoot,” April Chai, the chair of BCPA, told the Sampan, in a recent interview. “Sometimes we start from helping them choose a camera, guiding them step by step. Many new members quickly win awards, which is deeply gratifying for veteran members.”
Operated by volunteers who manage the group when they’re not doing their day jobs, the photography group has over the past decade fostered the art of taking pictures among amateurs and hobbyists alike. It recently was awarded a small grant from the Asian Community Fund to help it further grow and serve its membership.
And many of its members, like Chai, are pursuing photography as a hobby outside their careers – and have found it as a way to give back to their communities. Chai, for example, is a medical doctor by profession, but a photographer of nature and wildlife by passion. She first connected with Boston photographers through an online forum.
“I’ve been involved for ten years since then,” she told Sampan.
BCPA’s traditional activities include outdoor events, art lectures, and photography courses taught by members.
“Most of our activities are in Boston, as everyone has jobs, so we use weekends, but we organize one or two out-of-state trips annually,” Chai explained.
Their lenses have captured the maples of New Hampshire, the migration of snow geese in Maryland, and the bloom of cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. For the past few years, they’ve been publishing a quarterly photography magazine, encouraging members to document their life experiences.
The organization aims to support every member, especially newcomers, she said, no matter their skill level. In fact, BCPA welcomes anyone interested in photography, maintaining a bilingual community that embraces photo enthusiasts from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Beyond community building, BCPA has contributed to the Boston Chinese community, as well, the group says. The BCPA provides free photography services to local nonprofit organizations, including annual Asian American festivals and city hall celebrations.
“We also help the elderly, collaborating with nursing homes to take photographs. Sometimes people don’t have a good photo to display when they pass away, and we understand and help them,” Chai said.
The Asian Community Fund’s grant has been vital for BCPA’s sustainability and expansion. “The grant allows us to extend our reach, bring communities together, and celebrate our cultural heritage,” said Liz Fang, the organization’s public relations representative.
Their documentary film “Forever Foremost” captured the 20-year journey of a local dance troupe, illustrating the artistic pursuits and cultural heritage of the Chinese community.
“We were completely amateur filmmakers, but we believed in the significance of this story,” Chai said.
“Driven by pure passion, we overcame tremendous challenges — from staging complex outdoor scenes like snow scapes and rainy sequences to coordinating our volunteer team’s schedules.”
The film’s Best Short Film Award at the 2nd International Chinese Original IP Film Festival validated their collective efforts and storytelling commitment, she said.
BCPA has been exploring new mediums to engage photography enthusiasts, too. This year, the group launched a YouTube talk show.
“We did an episode called ‘Photographers’ Heartbeat Moments,’ inviting photographers to discuss scenarios that make their hearts race while taking photographs,” Chai said.
“BCPA has been somewhat life-changing for me,” Chai reflected. The association’s activities have provided her with an anchor outside work, helping her make friends and grow personally. “To this day, I’m always very eager to participate in the association’s activities.”
The organization has also reached out to other communities, joining the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) network and interacting with local photography associations in Boston. “People might not fully understand Chinese communities,” said Chai. “They might see us as hardworking professionals. But we also have many hobbies and interests, and we are just as vibrant.”
