Smoky Mountains Photo Workshop Recap

Photographing the Smoky mountains is for me, as familiar as catching up with an old friend. Last week I returned from our Smoky Mountains Photo Workshop, and I thought in addition to some new photographs that I must share with you, that I’d also share a bit about this trip.

Fresh Eyes / Familiar Location

Every location where I have the pleasure of guiding, I always try to find one new location or at a minimum, composition. There’s a quiet danger in believing we’ve “seen it all.” Pride can whisper that we know a place too well to be surprised—but light, ever changing, keeps us humble. The truth is, no matter how many times you’ve been to a place, visiting or at home, you’ve never seen it all. The physical location might be the same, but the beauty of discovery is ever changing light.

Pride can whisper that we know a place too well to be surprised—but light, ever changing, keeps us humble.

Scouting Ahead

I drove to the Smokies well in advance of the workshop beginning and got straight to work. The azaleas in Charleston for our workshop were nearly 2 weeks late, and I worried the Spring delay might impact the Smokies. Upon arrival the dogwoods are beginning to bloom and there was new growth on the trees.

Usually once I’ve checked in, I head straight for one of the rivers, but this time I found myself lost in a field of trillium for days. With both my macro and my 70-200 lens I created images that once edited began to form a story of the birth and death of the trillium in the Spring. I gathered 12 – 15 images, all edited in black and white and formed a collection that I called Trillium Sanctum. You can see the collection on my website here.

One Day Macro Workshop

Before the Smoky Mountains Photo Workshop kicked off, I hosted a one-day macro class where we photographed endless wildflowers in meadows. It was such a delightful (albeit hot) day. At one point I stepped back from doing my student rotation (taking turns helping one person and then the next) and saw one lovely lady show her lighting setup with another participant that was new to macro. It was such a lovely one-day class, and the group picked up new techniques and tools for their next adventure in the flowers.

Interesting Weather Makes Great Images

After wrapping the one-day macro it was time to begin the larger group workshop that was going to be a multi-day experience. The clouds were looming, storms were called, and thunder was rumbling around our meeting time. We gathered for dinner; I studied the radar, and we were able to carve out some time to shoot in the river with gorgeous wet rocks. This time that the group had to get their feet wet (literally) became a foundational stone for them for the rest of the trip as I carefully explained and illustrated how to create compelling and anchored photographs in the moving water.

The next morning the graphs I study from NOAA told me it was our best day for fog, so we headed to Cades Cove and I showed them some unique locations that require a small walk but rarely photographed. There was indeed fog, and we focused on making pastoral scenes. I’m sad to report that the familiar shot of the dogwood on Sparks Lane was skipped. Those trees just aren’t as healthy as they once were. Instead, I guided them to a new location that I think strongly rivals the iconic Sparks Lane shot.

This workshop had everything I needed for it to be a sucess. We experienced the first half of the trip with cloudy moody skies and a slight drizzle which was perfect for the rivers, and then we headed into clear skies. The fog in the valley, frost on top of the mountains all added to each location being nothing short of breathtaking.

Despite being so intimately familiar with a place so dear to my beginnings of photography I delighted in the fact that so many delightful things occurred with weather, timing of the workshop with the unfolding of Spring and one of the most delightful group of people I’ve ever had the honor of guiding. I packed my bags, loaded the Jeep and headed home with a content smile on my face.

Don’t Miss Out On The Next Smokies Adventure!

If you’d like to join me for Autumn color this year, or save your spot for Spring in the Smokies next year, I’d be so honored to have you join me! You can find more details here: www.photograpyworkshopcompany.com