2025 SPRING Smokies PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

APRIL 17-20, 2025

Spring in the Smokies offers a parade of photo opportunities beginning with the first wildflowers in early April and ending with the eruption of sarvis and maple buds at the higher elevations at the end of the month into early May. The timing varies from year to year but this should be in the prime window for dogwoods. The display varies from year to year with some scenes waxing and others waning but there are always gems to be found. This workshop will focus on landscapes both grand and intimate and is not designed as a wildflower workshop. That is not to say that an intimate landscape focused on flowers will be overlooked.

Join me, author of the Greater Smoky Mountains Photographer’s Guide for a creative excursion into the world of spring in the Smokies. This workshop will focus on landscapes both grand and intimate with an eye to expanding your vision towards creating art. While there are iconic scenes to be explored, we will look for more personal images – the undiscovered icon — the great image that no one else has taken – your personal interpretation of a scene—your art. To that end, the thrust of the workshop is on creativity, composition, and the use of light. Developing photographic vision takes time; it’s a lifelong journey with potential breakthroughs along the way. I hope to lead you to a breakthrough on your journey on this workshop.

Photographers start out making literal images, recording a scene as they see it, searching for the perfect sunrise and sunset while overlooking many wonderful subjects because they just don’t see them. They search for the icons because they have seen other photographer’s images that they like and they want to make the same or similar photo. It isn’t plagiarism really to do that, those icons are public domain, but there is so much more.  Many photographers look without actually seeing. It is my mission on this workshop to help you see better, to look more closely. As you do that, your world of potential subjects become infinite. Come learn how to “make, not take” photographs. Learn how to see a scene not just as it is, but as it can be. Learn how to make a satisfying image under less than ideal conditions. These will be important milestones on your photographic journey.

Spring is tough — the days are long, and sunset is deep into the dinner hour. Plan for the day to be broken into morning and afternoon sessions with downtime in the middle of the day for siesta, lunch, image review, and group discussion as time and energy allow. If sunset at an overlook is in the cards, an early dinner or sandwich on the go may be part of the plan. In the field, we will discuss composition, light, and exposure, as well as how to plan a photo session. If time allows, we will review images and approach to processing. Formal lectures are not planned but will be discussed in real time as we go. How do you plan a trip? What about the weather? How do you interpret the forecast? How do you work in bad weather (rain, snow, high wind)? What about a blank blue sky (aka blue sky of death)? Come away with answers to these questions and more.

 To maximize individual benefit, the group size is limited to 6 photographers. National Park Service restricts the number of vehicles to 4 per workshop, so if we are fully subscribed some carpooling will be required.

We will meet for introductions and orientation starting at 3 PM on the 17th followed by a field session departing the hotel at 4 PM with dinner following either as a group or individually. We will have a full day on the 23rd and 24th followed by a morning session on the 25th before departing home. During downtime we have the option for discussions regarding composition that usually spins off into some post-processing direction. bring some jpegs on a thumb drive to share. 

The Highland Manor Inn in Townsend is the base hotel 865 - 448 - 2211 and is holding a block of rooms until March 15th. Lodging is up to you; call them to take over the reservation for your room, which is currently in my name. The rooms have 2 queen beds and if you are comfortable sharing a room there is considerable cost savings. There are camping options if you are so equipped, and if you live close by then commuting can work for you. Lodging and meals are not included in this price.

 Participants should have a thorough working knowledge of how to operate their equipment - buttons, etc. Activity level is "easy," we will be working from the vehicles with short walks less than 1/4 mile. However, uneven ground and scrambling on stream banks make hiking boots desirable. Bring rain gear; unless it’s a washout we will work in "bad" weather. It occasionally snows in April, so be prepared for unusual weather.

We will meet for introductions and orientation starting at 3 PM

followed by a field session departing the hotel at 4 PM

In the event that we have weather that costs us significant photo time I will extend the last days session as late as sunset. 

This has not been necessary in years past but it is my “rain insurance policy”.

Cost per participant is $895.00. Optional extensions may be available. Deposit of $200.00 US due at registration, Final balance due March 1st. Fully refundable up to start of workshop. Prior attendees receive a $100.00 discount.

• Cost - $895.00

• Includes instruction, guiding, and as time allows image critique and “classroom” session regarding composition.

• Does not include meals, lodging,and transportation.

  Covid vaccination required for attendance

• Antigen testing with a home kit requested no more than 24 hours prior.