2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Friends and Supporters,At Photo Opp, every year tells a story, and in 2025, that story was shaped by creativity, connection, and community.This past year, people showed up with curiosity and cameras in hand—learning new skills, sharing perspectives, and building confidence through photo and video. From first-time creators to seasoned artists, Photo Opp continued to be a place where everyone belongs and every story matters.In 2025, we strengthened our role as a community hub: expanding educational opportunities, fostering collaboration, and increasing access through shared equipment, studio space, and inclusive programming. Together, we worked to remove barriers and make creative learning and appreciation welcoming and attainable for all.None of this would be possible without you—our community, artists, volunteers, donors, and partners. Your support fuels the programs, spaces, and opportunities that help our creative community thrive.As you explore this report, you’ll see what we built together in 2025 and the foundation we’ve laid for what’s next. Thank you for being part of Photo Opp’s story.In gratitude,Amy James Board President Photo Opp
MISSION | develop a welcoming community and inspire life-long learning through the lens of a cameraVISION | elevate the appreciation of visual expression and nurture passion for life beyond the camera OUR 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORSAMY JAMES, PresidentGRAHAM WASHATKA, Vice PresidentJOHN ADAMS, TreasurerMORGAN KIRCHENWITZ, SecretaryADRIENNE PALMBILLY HINTZBRANDI GRAHLCHAR BRANDISCHRIS DEARINGJIM WEILANDJOHN NANCEMARK FERRELL“Community hubs are hard to come by these days, a third space between work and home that allows strangers and friends alike to come together over a shared passion. Discovering Photo Opp was a dream come true - a beautiful space reimagined and come alive through the hard work and passion of the community, with accessible events and opportunities for all levels.” - Jesse, a community member
2025: PHOTO OPP IN ACTION2025 was another year of growth at Photo Opp. We’re happy to show off some of our programming highlights with you. To make sure our programming is staying in line with our mission we run opportunities through the lens of our four main pillars.For a program to get the green light, it has to strongly check these boxes:•Education: Sharing knowledge and experience of a craft we all love•Community: Connecting people and strengthening our community bonds•Career: Helping artists develop skills and connect with industry colleagues•Arts: Fostering a vibrant culture of artistic exploration and visual storytellingAs you flip through this report, you’ll see how these pillars guided what we did in 2025 and the impact they created for our community. We’re so proud of what we continue to build together.
EDUCATION
Photo Opp Camera Kit Thanks to the Green Bay Packers Foundation, we were able to purchase six new camera bodies and lenses for our classroom kit in early 2025. With the start of the 2025-2026 school year, our Camera Kit has taken strides in bringing the art of photography into classrooms around the Fox Valley. • Columbus Elementary School • Building for Kids Summer CampHigh School Class Field Trips During the 2024-2025 school year, Photo Opp was able to expand and develop engaging models for our High School Classroom Field Trips. The goal of these classroom visits is to bring students to our space for a hands-on, immersive photography experience. These two-hour visits introduce students to key photographic concepts and creative expression through three rotating stations: • Outdoor Photo Walk – Students explore downtown Appleton with a Photo Opp volunteer, learning about composition, reflections, shutter speed, and framing techniques. • Photo Critique & Gallery Viewing – Students engage in peer-to-peer learning through photo critiques, explore our gallery exhibitions, and browse Photo Opp’s extensive photography book library. • Darkroom Tour & Photo Set-Up/Play – Students tour our darkroom and experiment with portraiture and still-life setups, learning about film and print processes.High Schools Classrooms Field Trip partners: • Appleton Central • Fox Valley Lutheran • St. Mary’s Catholic • Green Bay West 250+students had access to a camera because of our Photo Kit in 2025
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: APPLETON CENTRAL During the 2024-2025 school year, we were able to partner with Appleton Area School District’s Appleton Central School to host a group of students for a unique field trip. In their English and Language Arts class the students created a six word autobiography. The goal of their Photo Opp visit was to create a visual component to support their autobiography. Appleton Central is an alternative education program serving students in grades 6–12 who need a supportive, flexible environment to succeed. Since 1996, the program has focused on re-engaging students who face challenges in traditional school settings, helping them progress toward graduation while strengthening their self-worth and future opportunities.During a two-day session at Photo Opp, our volunteers and experts worked with each student to understand the vision and emotion behind their autobiography and then assist them in crafting an image to accompany their written piece.
“Our collaboration with Photo Opp was such an energizing way to help our students at Central engage and apply multiple modalities within the creative process in a way that they do not normally get to do. They were able to blend the expression of their ideas, verbally and textually with a thoughtful, artful vision of a visual interpretation of those words and ideas, and then bring the vision to full photographic execution with the assistance and facilitation of Photo Opp’s volunteers and experts. I cannot emphasize enough the incredible cross section of preparedness, connection, and pathway to completion that with Photo Opp’s help was able to bring to the project — which was as a result simultaneously rich and efficient, which is the absolute sweet spot in an educational endeavor to be sure.” - Katherine Chicquette, English Language Arts Teacher at Appleton Central
ART
Galleries In 2025, we expanded the shows in our studio space to include two community galleries! We loved the ability to allow other artists to share their work. • The Heart of Darkness 5 The Heart of Darkness is a gallery curated by local digital artist and photographer, Matt Lombard. Featuring 26 artists from around the world including artists from Japan, Norway, Czech Republic, Germany, Wales, Belgium, and also many incredible artists from right here in Wisconsin. • something once was, something still isPhoto Opp was pleased to present something once was, something still is, an exhibition of new works by Jaeden Hannus. This was Jaeden’s first solo show; after being a featured community artist in our 2024 From our Streets Gallery. Jaeden is currently attending the Art Institute of Chicago, something once was, something still is, consists of photography and sculpture that looked at surface and traces, building on historical conversations and writing around photographic theory.This gallery was so fun to host as the artist truly utilized our space to make his gallery and art come to life. Film Development Nights Our Community Film Development Nights are the perfect environment for anyone to develop rolls of film. Whether you’re new to film photography, looking to brush up on rusty skills, or a seasoned pro eager to meet others in the community, Photo Opp provides all the equipment and chemicals you’ll need.“The instructors met each of us where we were at on our film journey; they made space and time for every skill level and I felt I had found my place among new friends - it was PERFECT.”- Callie, a program participant162rolls of film developmed at Film Development Nights in 2025 175+people in attendance at The Heart of Darkness 5 Gallery - many of whom shared it was their first time in our space
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: AFTER HOURS GALLERYOur 2025 gallery, After Hours was a collection of images that explored the liminal space between day and night: where mystery, intimacy, rebellion, rest, and revelation reside. From the solitude of midnight streets to the buzz of nightlife, from quiet reflection to secret rendezvous, our After Hours gallery reveals what’s hidden in plain sight after the world stops watching.This year’s After Hours gallery was our most diverse gallery yet! 264 photos were submitted from 88 artists, more than half came from photographers new to Photo Opp, showcasing the growing reach of our community. With nearly a 50% increase in submissions compared to last year, we’re thrilled to welcome both fresh voices and returning artists to share their work in this year’s exhibition.
We hosted our After Hours Gallery Opening on October 17, 2025 at Photo Opp. Opening night brought in over 160 visitors, filling the space with incredible energy and conversation. The show featured 23 Wisconsin-based artists, 3 featured and 20 selected through a blind-judging process, each bringing their own perspective and creativity to the collection. The evening also featured new merch, live music, photo experiences, food and drink, our After Hours zine, and opportunities to connect with other art enthusiasts. In total, we raised over $14,000 to support Photo Opp’s 2026 programming. Funding that directly fuels creative opportunities and community impact right here in our city. We extend a huge thanks to our sponsors for helping make this show possible and for believing in the power of local art and storytelling.Every visit, every donation, every conversation helps us keep the lights on, cameras clicking, and creativity flowing — thank you for being part of it.160+visitors attended our After Hours Gallery Opening $14k+raised to support Photo Opp’s 2026 programming
CAREER
Pinhole Camera Building + WorkshopTo celebrate Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, Photo Opp hosted a two-part immersive workshop led by expert Nick Dvoracek, centering on the art of lensless capture. The program kicked off with an intimate, “Build Your Own” intensive where participants constructed functional cameras from recycled cardboard, followed by a community-wide shoot and development session on April 27th. From building the equipment to developing 120mm film and receiving digital scans, attendees—working in pairs and family duos—explored the physics of light through a sustainable, DIY lens. This event successfully bridged the gap between technical education and creative play, proving that high-level artistry can start with something as simple as a cardboard box.Ad Club Studio After HoursPhoto Opp hosted a Studio After Hours networking event in partnership with AAF Fox River, bringing together local advertising, marketing, and design professionals for an evening of connection and conversation. The casual gathering welcomed members and guests to the Photo Opp studio to catch up with peers, build new relationships, and share ideas about the creative industry in the Fox Cities. With drinks, light appetizers, and a welcoming atmosphere, the event highlighted Photo Opp’s role as a creative hub where professionals can collaborate, strengthen community ties, and support the continued growth of the region’s creative sector.Next Frame | Screen & ConnectPhoto Opp launched Season 3 of The Next Frame with a special highlight screening and networking night that brought the creative community together. The event offered a sneak peek of standout moments from the upcoming documentary features, celebrating the people and stories shaping our local film and storytelling scene. Guests also enjoyed a Q&A with featured filmmakers and a relaxednetworking session, creating space for artists, supporters, and curious community members to connect, share ideas, and be inspired by the work happening behind the lens. We loved welcoming our video community into our space.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: GOLD THE DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENINGAt Photo Opp, we believe in the power of filmmaking to bring people together, spark conversations, and inspire creativity. In 2025, we were able to expand our programming to include locally and regionally produced films at Photo Opp. Our first film screening at Photo Opp was, GOLD, a compelling documentary by Paige McKenna that explores the stories of dancers at the Gold Nugget strip club in rural Spread Eagle, WI. The film offers an intimate and empowering look at financial independence, self-love, and reclaiming personal power—told through the experiences of Dusty, a former dancer turned club owner, and the women she hires. Our first showing was in October 2024 and it was so popular, we brought the film back again in February 2025. Both shows were SOLD OUT and each included thought-provoking Q&A sessions with Paige McKenna after the showing. The overwhelming support for this film demonstrates the hunger for authentic, locally-rooted storytelling.We are incredibly grateful for the community’s enthusiasm and support of the independent film scene. Whether you attended a screening, participated in a Q&A, or simply helped spread the word, you are contributing to the growth of this creative ecosystem. We are looking forward to bringing more film screenings to Photo Opp in 2026!
COMMUNITY
Photo Walks Our Community Photo Walks invite locals to come together to explore and photograph the same space together. Photo Walks are free and open to all skill levels. In 2025, we hosted five photo walks throughout Northeast Wisconsin.• Appleton History Museum at the Castle • Appleton Public Library • University of Wisconsin Green Bay• Mile of Music Photo Walk • McFleshman’s/Appleton DowntownShow & Tell Artist SeriesShow & Tell Artist Talks are free opportunities for the community to come to Photo Opp and hear from local photographers as they share their art, artistic process, and answer questions from the audience. • Post Crescent Photographers “Best of 2024”• Bruce Danz - Wildlife Photographer Film Screenings We believe in the power of filmmaking to bring people together, spark conversations, and inspire creativity. In 2025, we were able to host several sold-out film screenings, highlighting both local and regional talent. These events demonstrate the growing passion for independent cinema in our community and the need to support and advocate for this thriving creative industry.• February Film • GOLD the Documentary • The Truth Will Set You FreeOpen Labs Hosted on a monthly basis, Open Labs offers an “open room” to talk about any topic in the process of photography. Open Labs provide an open, welcoming space to explore photography together. There’s no set agenda, just a shared room for conversation, critique, collaboration, and curiosity around the art and craft of photography.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: MILE OF MUSIC PHOTO WALK At the end of July a group of our Photo Opp photo walkers headed out to the first night of Mile of Music (MoM)—a four day music festival that stretches through College Avenue in downtown Appleton. MoM is a brilliant weekend of original music and live performances from musicians all over the country. The stages pop up inside businesses, on parking lots, in alleyways and of course, in Houdini Plaza. The festival is free to attend and much of the activity is in, or adjacent to public spaces making it a perfect opportunity for some casual street photography. Our photo walks draw 20-30 photographers of all ages and experiences, and an equally diverse range of cameras: from cellphones to large format wooden box cameras and high tech cutting edge mirrorless to bargain bin decade old point and shoots. It’s a true melting pot of photographers. The time spent discovering the same place together all with our unique perspectives creates for fantastic opportunities to learn from each other and appreciate other’s artistic approach.Graham Washatka
Tania Nelson76community members participated in our photo walks in 2025Our Mile of Music photo walk was the 3rdmost attended photo walk in 2025(Appleton Public Library and McFleshman’s were the most attended)Josh Crowe Mike BurmanBrian BlazerGiles LaRock
PARTNERSHIPS IN PROGRAMMINGFrom our beginning, Photo Opp has aspired to be a place for creativity to provide connection. Land Trust Photo Walk In September, Photo Opp partnered with the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust and People of Progression to host a youth photo walk at our Harness Farm preserve in Green Bay. CRISPY Zine CRISPY is a protest wrapped in a love letter. It is a magazine born out of the Midwest. Featuring a number of local artists, CRISPY was created by a team of passionate creatives with big visions. The CRISPY zine party was hosted at Photo Opp in August 2025 and featured artist booths, live music, cake, and the opportunity to be the first to see the first edition of CRISPY.Despite the sweltering heat, our community still showed up and packed our space with love, art, and community. All of the CRISPY zines SOLD OUT in one night!
Appleton Drawing Club Appleton Drawing Club is a welcoming community of artists and art models who meet to draw and paint from life. They host regular sessions with a variety of models and themes open to all experience levels, as well as workshops and classes to help all artists improve their skills.In April 2025, the Appleton Drawing Club celebrated their one year anniversary of hosting meet ups at Photo Opp! In this firstyear, they grew from monthly to twice a month sessions featuring a wide variety of figure, portrait, and in 2025 addingwildlife drawing events with birds of prey! We love sharing our space with other artists and initiatives that create space for connection, expression, and belonging.TROUT Museum In September 2025, Photo Opp had the opportunity to partner with the Trout Museum of Art to host a creative portrait experience at their Inaugural Gala.This event was the debut of the Trout Museum of Art’s new, highly anticipated facility in the heart of Downtown Appleton. We had such a great time providing creative portraits that brought out the joy and elegance of the evening. We are so grateful to have been included in this special event. Coming together to celebrate art was a reminder of how incredible our community is when it comes together!
Neenah Public Library This summer we hosted two community walking photography workshops. The community was asked to bring any camera (smartphone, digital, analog, instant, etc.) and take a casual stroll outside the library’s premises while snapping photos and learning photography tips from our experts. These events were relaxed/casual drop-in workshops meant to instruct and inspire. We had such a wonderful time being a part of this program and look forward to future partnership opportunities with Neenah Public Library!Building for Kids Photo Opp partnered with the Building for Kids Children’s Museum in the summer of 2025 to bring photography to life for more than 100 children, ranging from 4k-4th grade, during theirSummer Explorer Camp. We were able to provide hands-on instruction that allowed campers to explore the fundamentals of photography; learning how to frame shots, creating and using a viewfinder, and following different composition prompts daily.For many of these young participants, it was their first time using a real camera and seeing their creativity through a new lens.Beyond technical skills, this experience encouraged curiosity and made art accessible in a joyful, tactile environment. At the end of the week, we were able to showcase the images on a projector for the campers to enjoy
Art at the Park Photo Opp has partnered with the Trout Museum of Art (TMA) to provide free portraits for guests attending the Art at the Park event in City Park since 2022. This photo is from our 2025 set up, which featured a black backdrop with high contrast lighting for dramatic black and white portraits.148 participants with 121 being new to Photo Opp114 volunteer hours vs. 95 hours in 2024
IMPACT REPORTParticipation 380# of unique participants1,061total participants39%of program participants participated last year and in at least one event this year22number of citiesIncome Expenses Donations: $39,458Programming: $8,714Annual Fundraiser: $14,045Workshop: $2,470Services: $14,241Merchandise: $3,014TOTAL INCOME: $81,942Admin: $8,414Occupancy: $36,825Equipment: $5,661Programming: $4,582Workshops: $576Services: $5,967Annual Fundraiser: $3,982Merchandise: $5,521TOTAL EXPENSES: $71,528
Volunteers ~760Volunteer hours for programming28# of unique volunteersProgramming48total number of activities10number of new activities18number of new partnershipsWorkshops + Classes - 2Education - 11Development Nights - 12 Fundraising Events - 2Open Labs - 12Photo Walks - 5Artist Talks - 2 Partnerships/Collaborations - 11PROGRAMMING BREAKDOWN ~2,000# of volunteer admin hours
OTHER UPDATESPhoto Rummage Sale In July, we hosted our first-ever Photo Rummage Sale! Thanks to years of generous community donations of photography gear and studio supplies, we were able to thoughtfully curate what to keep and what to pass along to artists in our community at unbeatable prices. We surpassed our fundraising goal and met lots of new community members throughout the weekend-long sale–all in support of our mission to inspire creativity and grow a thriving visual arts community.Film Development and Scanning Services Starting February 1, 2025, Photo Opp began offering drop-off film processing for the Fox Valley! Our services cover 120mm and 35mm, and 110mm format and include black and white and color film stocks. In 2025, we developed over 300 rolls of film from our community!Building UpdatesBathrooms In anticipation of our 2025 Gallery Opening Night, we completed a few interior renovations with our bathroom updates being the most exciting! Both our men’s and women’s bathrooms got a full paint job, new counter top/sinks, lighting, and artwork – making our basement bathrooms look more elegant and matching to our space! Exterior Updates Thanks to the creative talent of Ali Wilbur, Photo Opp has a beautiful, NEW mural on the exterior of our space! We love the creative touch this adds to our building. Thanks to Joe Larson, we also now have an outdoor patio space that includes seating, lighting, and plants.Community Darkroom Our Community Darkroom has also really taken shape in 2025! With its big debut at our gallery opening night, the space has new plumbing, gear, and equipment necessary to make it a fully functioning space. 2026 is the year the darkroom will have access and programming!
SPECIAL THANK YOUDonors above $1,000 Barbara HoffmanBoldt Family FoundationGalloway CompanyGraham WashatkaKI FurnitureLife’s a Journey FundThe Deborah Watson FoundationWessel Team LLCA special thank you to The Boldt Company for sponsoing our Studio Space 2025–2026!The Boldt Company has been such an impactful supporter of Photo Opp, we are honored to have their continued support at this level!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED VOLUNTEER: Learn all the ways your time can have an impact at Photo Opp.Join our monthly email newsletter list at thephotoopp.org/volunteer-applicationDONATE: Provide support to expand our offerings, and continue inspiring creativity across Northeast Wisconsin. Donate today at givebutter.com/photoopp2026ATTEND A PROGRAM: Explore the craft of photography and videography by attending our programs, classes, and events! Check out all of our programs available for registration at thephotoopp.org/programs
STAY CONNECTEDSubscribe to our newsletter: thephotoopp.org/joinusFollow us on social media: instagram.com/the.photo_oppfacebook.com/the.photoopp BECOME A PROGRAM SPONSORIn order to host our programming throughout the year, we are seeking businesses or individuals interested in increasing access to the arts in our community.Learn more at thephotoopp.org/sponsorSPONSOR OUR SPACEBecome a sponsor of one of our programming spaces! We are currently seeking sponsors for the following:• COMMUNITY DARKROOM• DIGITAL COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACELearn more at thephotoopp.org/sponsor
LOOKING TO 2026, OUR NEW YEAR GOALSIn 2026, Photo Opp will step boldly into its next phase, strengthening our foundation while expanding what’s possible for our creative community. With the hiring of our first dedicated paid position, Nikki Hessel, our Community Outreach Coordinator, we aim to deepen connections, increase access, and amplify the impact of our work. In early 2026, we’ll be kicking off a variety of new programs including; Focus Table and our Photo Book Club, each creating intentional spaces for learning, dialogue, and inspiration when gathering matters most. We are also actively planning, coordinating, and executing more class-structured programs with other organizations such as Outagamie County 4H, Youth GO, and our local Boy Scouts. These moments don’t happen by chance, they’re built by you, our community. Your support helps turn vision into reality. We invite you to donate and be part of shaping the future of Photo Opp, where every frame, every voice, and every story counts.
“Thank you so much for opening your doors to us!! We all had a blast together and learned a lot from everyone! I would love to do something again next semester with my new photo classes.”- Melissa Sirstins, an Educator at St. Mary’s Catholic Schools
Photo Opp 621 N Bateman Street, Appleton, WI [email protected]