FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Next Saturday morning, local photographers of all skill levels can join in a “photo walk” through Fairhope. They’ll be taking pictures, meeting friends, learning new techniques, and maybe winning a prize, during this second annual Worldwide Photo Walk.

“It’s a free event for people who are casual photographers, amateurs and professionals alike,” said Tony Thagard, the local volunteer leader for this two-hour photography excursion through downtown Fairhope. “It’s for people to get together and shoot pictures of the local area they live in. And it’s always fun to do something that’s happening worldwide on the same day. You get to share in an event that people are doing all over the world.”

Thagard, a professional photographer with a graphic design business in Fairhope, stressed the casual nature of the event, and that everyone is welcome with any kind of equipment, including point-and-shoot disposable cameras.

He said the event is sponsored by Scott Kelby, Adobe and Nikon.

“They are three icons in the photography world,” he said, noting that Adobe is the company behind the popular Photoshop and Lightroom software. “Kelby is a world-renowned photographer, author and founder of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.”

The event will start at 8 a.m. at the Faulkner State Community College and end two hours later at the Fairhope Municipal Pier, he said.

“If you are bringing a friend, one of you may want to leave a car at the pier so you can just drive back to the start point,” Thagard states on the local Web site for the event. “We will have a nice variety since we’ll have the town and bay, so there should be something for everyone.”

According to the Web site, there were eight people registered this week with a maximum number of 50 spaces available in the group. Thagard said he expected a good turnout and many people might wait until the July 18 deadline approaches before signing up.

He said submitting photos for the contest is optional, but that local and national winners would receive various prizes, such as books and photography equipment.

“The fun thing about this event is that it’s very casual,” he said. “Once people start they’re not even required to stay together. We’ll all start at the campus right there across from the library, and then we’ll walk through town and down by the bay at a leisurely pace.”

The national Web site that is linked from the local one has detailed information about the event. The local Web site gives the particulars on how to register, where to show up, what to bring, a map and other details.

“It’s a great chance for a beginner photographer who might get a lot out of it because there are going to be some professionals there than can share tips and techniques,” Thagard said. “And for some of the more advance amateurs or professionals, they get to meet some of the people in their field locally that do what they do. It will be fun.”

For more information or to register, visit the Web site at http://worldwidephotowalk.com/fairhope-al-usa, or call Tony Thagard at 928-2323.