Hexham & District Photographic Society was established in 1946 by Donald Low, although there are references to a local photographic society dating back to the early 1890s - perhaps involving local Hexham pharmacist and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, John Pattison Gibson (1838-1912).

Today, the Society meets every Tuesday evening between September to April in the Torch Centre Hexham, with the aim of promoting local interest in and study of all aspects of photography. This is achieved through a varied programme of talks, competitions, photographic assignments and tuition, catering for all ages and abilities.