Consider also that summer is a vacation so less ppl are surfing the net...

I would think that more people would be on during summer. No school

Depends on the content...But I do think summer time is more popular

I opened ma site about a month now 591 members with 5000 more post

The best way is

Search engines
Site submits
and youtube, google videos and other video uploading site it will bring u more active members also they look for the quality of the web u got and their expectations

I suggest taking advantage of digg.com, digg can produce massive traffic for your site.

Also, every once in a while I like to PM individual active members and tell them I love the fact that they are active and I ask if they would like to invite some of their other friends that would be actiev.

We also run recruitment contests--give a prize for the most referrals.

I have been on two months and have about 264 members and a little over 25,000 posts

The domain I bought ensures a good search engine rating though

As stated, it takes a while for search engines to index you. Also, post your url in as many sites that will let you. The more sites Google finds your url, the higher page ranking you will achieve. Notice the amount of urls posted in sigs in this forum.;)

Does anyone find that having a gallery is something that will help increase members/ and or activity?

I always found in September October it does get better.

I have the same experience m8. Also during long winter days... sitting in front of computer almost all day and night :)