I’m incredibly proud to be a founding member of the Thumbs Up Collective.

What started in 2022 as a fun, friendly Facebook community by Steve Stain and myself (Martin Hajdukiewicz) has blossomed into something truly special. ‘Thumbs Up Photography’ is now a thriving family of over 2,000 members, and we've expanded our passion with the launch of our very own YouTube channel, ‘Thumbs Up - The Photography Show’!

At our core, we're all about community. Here’s what makes Thumbs Up Photography special:

  • A Positive & Encouraging Environment: We foster a welcoming space where everyone, from beginner to pro, feels comfortable sharing their work. Constructive feedback and kindness are the heart of our community.

  • Learning & Inspiration: Discuss techniques, share resources, and discover new ways to approach your craft. We're all about growing together.

  • Real-World Connections: Join us for group meet-ups at incredible locations across the UK. It's a fantastic way to connect face-to-face, explore new places, and shoot together.

  • Fun-First Competitions: We host regular photography competitions where the main emphasis is always on having fun with your camera.

  • Completely Free: Joining is free. No strings attached.

This entire collective is guided by a dedicated team of photographers: Steve Stain, Louise Welcome, Garry Sugden, Dave Peck, Colin Powell, and myself (Martin Hajdukiewicz).

You can catch us all on our YouTube show, where, as a group of (mostly) landscape photographers, we’ve been lovingly described as "a bit of a shambles." It's the perfect place to see the lighter, funnier side of photography!

📸 Ready to Join the Fun?

We can't wait to welcome you. Here’s how you can connect with us: