As an introvert, joining a local photography group felt daunting. It turned out to be exactly what I needed

I was somewhere way back at the end of this line of photographers on a photowalk. Photo: Zach Sawyer Confession: I'm an introvert. I like – and often thrive on – my alone time. Putting myself in situations to meet people doesn't come naturally. That's especially true when it comes to meeting other photographers. And as someone who has moved every three to four years in my adult life and works from home, connecting with other photographers is even more difficult. While that solitude can be valuable in certain doses, it can become isolating, and it also may not be the best way to build a sustainable relationship with photography. That's where community comes into play. The importance of community has become especially clear to me over the past year or so and has inadvertently become a recurring theme in my life. It's come up in various ways, but most notably, it's been a consistent theme as I've been taking part in some local photography clubs for the first time ever. Taking