About the Midlands Region -

Welcome to the Midlands Region of the Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association (CNPA). Our region serves the central midlands area of the state from greater Columbia to Augusta/Aiken. Some of the communities served are Camden, Lexington and Sumter. The Midlands Region offers monthly outings to sites both within our region and to areas of interest outside the region – past trips have been planned for sites in South and North Carolina, Florida and New Mexico. Check our calendar for a list of planned outings.

The Midlands Region offers some of the finest photo opportunities in the state. We have an amazing river system consisting of the Saluda, the Broad and the Congaree Rivers. Congaree National Park is just minutes from Columbia and offers the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is one of the finest in the nation and offers some fantastic flora and fauna photo ops. Lexington’s Lake Murray is host to many species of waterfowl and has hundreds of miles of shoreline offering lots of scenic vistas.

We meet the first Friday of each month at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital located at 7 Richland Medical Park Drive, Columbia, SC. The meeting is held in the C. Warren Derrick Conference Room, which is located to your left as you enter the lobby. Doors open at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7:00. You are also welcome to meet at the deli located next door at 9 Medical Park for fellowship and a light dinner at 5:30.

The Midlands Region of the CNPA has over 70 members. Our goals are to create an awareness and appreciation for the natural beauty of the area by promoting nature photography in the Carolinas. We also strive to educate those interested in nature and wildlife photography.

We hope that you will join us. All levels of expertise are welcome. Please contact us with any questions you may have.