The Scottish Photographic Federation was formed by an early consortium of clubs - responding to an initiative from Brechin Photographic Society and Dundee & East Photographic Association - who met in the rooms of Perthshire Society of Natural Science, Tay Street, Perth on Saturday17th January 1903 at 4.15pm. Representatives from fourteen clubs attended the meeting.

The following is an extract from the minutes of that meeting:

"On the motion of Mr. Kirk, seconded by Mr. Baird, Mr. Coates was called to the Chair." Mr. Maclachlan, who had conducted the preliminary arrangements read a report from which the following is an extract :- "There is no doubt that this scheme has occured at one time or another, in one form or another to every photographic society in Scotland. It first found public expression in a minute passed by the Brechin Photographic Society on 17th September 1902 to the following effect:

'That in the opinion of this Association it is desirable that an Affiliation of the local photographic societies be effected for the purposes of mutual help, such as holding exhibitions in the various towns, the circulation of a common portfolio, the interchange of papers and demonstrators, exchange of prints and lantern slides, and in any other way that might be found desirable: and further that our Secretary be instructed to communicate first with the Dundee and East of Scotland Association, expressing our desire that they as senior association in the district take the lead in this matter' .

As a result of this motion the Brechin secretary communicated with Dundee whose secretary called a meeting of all the local clubs on 14th November 1902. At that meeting as well as Dundee and Brechin reps there were reps from Aberdeen, Kirkaldy and Blairgowrie and letters of support form Kirriemuir. A representative from Blairgowrie suggested that the scope of the scheme should embrace the whole of Scotland. It was decided to put this to the test and all known Scottish societies, clubs and associations would be contacted."

"That this meeting is of the opinion that a Federation of Scottish Photographic Societies should be instituted and hereby resolves to do so." Mr. V. C. Blair seconded.

Although no amendment was proposed the Chairman decided to take a vote on the matter.Twenty-one voted in favour of the motion: six declined to vote, but some of these explained that they could not vote before consulting their societies.The motion was then agreed to. They then elected a committee to prepare draft rules and send them to the societies for consideration a month before the next meeting.

A further meeting was held on 7th February 1903 to draft some rules and suggested facilities, with the Scottish Photographic Federation coming into being on 21st March 1903 (at 4.15pm). This meeting was the first to carry the heading, "A meeting of the Scottish Photographic Federation".

The first Anual General meeting of the Federation was held in the Reference Library, sandeman Library, Perth on 13th February 1904 at 2.00pm. The Secretary's report stated:
"The Scottish Photographic Federation was formed at a meeting held in the Rooms of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science, Tay Street, Perth on the 17th January 1903 when twenty seven delegates were present from fourteen societies."

The first Scottish Salon (actually, "The First Scottish National Photographic Salon") opened in the Sandeman Art Gallery on 13th February 1904 at 12 o'clock noon. 207 pictures were entered with a couple of portfolios of invited private work. The first A.G.M. took place on the same day, two hours later. In the same year the first Portfolio and the first Lantern Slide Competition were established, the first list of judges promulgated and the publication of a Yearbook (subsequently the Blue Book) authorised.