West Kootenay Camera Club (WKCC, The Club, Club) was formed with a dozen members on February 1990. The club's objective is to promote the interest in Photographic Arts in the West Kootenay area of British Columbia, Canada. Members are from the surrounding community of Castlegar, the Greater Trail area (Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale, Warfield, and Rossland), Nelson, and Balfour.

WKCC is a diverse membership of photographers of all skill levels. The Club cultivates a helpful and enjoyable environment for every member to learn and develop the art of photography. Club activities are specifically designed to integrate feedback and constructive criticism.

Education, practical demonstrations, internal and external competitions, field trips, slide shows, member shows, and print displays form the mainstay of the club’s activities. The annual Photo Show, held at the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar, is the club’s premier event, and consistently draws large crowds in the tri-cities area of Castlegar, Trail and Nelson.

The Club welcomes anyone who wants to take photos. There is no discrimination between beginners and experienced photographers. The club aims to provide members with the technical and artistic skills to create an ‘image’ rather than a ‘photographic record’. Recognizing that everyone has an inherent technique and style, members are encouraged to move beyond skill level, style, technique or camera equipment, to producing better photos.

Club meetings always include an educational or instructional component, slide show presentations or guest speakers. The premise is that if even one new thing is learned, one’s photography will benefit.

Members regularly participate in planned field trips, in all seasons, to photograph nature at its finest: Mel deAnna trail, Trail, the lookout point on the Castlegar/Salmo summit, Fry Creek Canyon, Idaho Peak, and many more amazing locations.

WKCC is socially active, with events and get togethers which include family members and friends. Inter-club activities are encouraged where members can interact with new people with fresh ideas.

The long-range mandate for the club includes service to the community in the form of participation in local events, exhibitions and photo displays. The hope is to enlighten the general public and visitors alike to the treasures of the community and surrounding areas.

WKCC is a member of Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA Canada) which affords opportunities for members to submit images to a wider audience of competition. WKCC is also part of the BC/Yukon Inter-Club which was formed in 2020. WKCC encourages participation in Photo club conferences and competitions in other parts of Canada and around the globe.