Smoky Mountains

If you are looking to photograph white-tailed deer, specifically big bucks in rut, there is no better place than the Smoky Mountains. Explore the Smokies with an experienced guide to help learn the ins and outs of the white-tail herds during the rutting season. Experience bucks in their natural environment and photograph them at their favorite scrape areas scraping their trees. Watch and photograph interactions between bucks including sparing and possibly a big rut match. There will also be opportunity to photograph bucks with early morning frost on their backs and antlers and the quintessential buck jumping a fence. Occasionally you can walk with a buck following a doe and photograph the lip curl when the buck catches her scent. On rare occasions you can capture the breeding process. Join us on this Smoky Mountain workshop to photograph these amazing white-tail bucks in their natural habitat with a guide who has over 30 years of experience. The workshop is limited to 5 individuals which allows one on one instruction. Plus, a smaller group provides a better opportunity to capture the bucks acting naturally. Drive to Townsend or fly into Knoxville, TN and stay in the quaint town of Townsend, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains. A variety of lodging options are available in or near Townsend including cabin rentals, family run hotels, RV camping, glamping, and rustic camping. We will have a meeting Tuesday night followed by group dinner. So plan to arrive and check into your lodging by 3:00 pm on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we will be off to our first workshop destinations. Each day we will go to destinations to capture the big bucks stopping at midday for a lunch break. The workshop will conclude Friday evening.  After registering for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation by email and Welcome Letter which will include additional information and details for planning your trip. The workshop price includes:

• Guiding services and photography instruction by an experienced local wildlife photographer.
• Transportation during the workshop.
• Park fees including parking pass.

The workshop price does not include:

• Lodging.
• Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
• Flight or travel to and from the area.
• Trip / Travel insurance.

Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.

Join me on this one of a kind Smoky Mountain Waterfall Workshop. This will be a destination to destination journey covering Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I have mapped out some of the best waterfalls in the Smokies and have them planned for minimum time driving and maximum time shooting. We will travel scenic byways along mountain streams and rivers as we wind our way to each waterfall. You just sit back and enjoy the beauty and leave all the driving to your guide. I have over 15 years of experience photographing these mountains on a professional basis and have traveled all the roads many times. I will also give you some history of the area as we drive. Need some pointers on waterfall photography? I’m there to share my knowledge and expertise. Want some additional instruction on setup? I will help you with your camera settings. Let me help you get to some of the best waterfalls in the Smokies and also help you get the best compositions possible. Drive to Townsend or fly into Knoxville, TN and stay in the quaint town of Townsend, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains. Tour size is limited to 4 participants to allow hands-on guidance and technique instruction as needed. After registering for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation by email and Welcome Letter which will include additional information and details for planning your trip. The workshop price includes the following: - Lodging during the workshop - Shuttle to and from McGhee Tyson airport - Transportation during the workshop - Park fees including parking pass - Guiding services and photography instruction during the workshop The workshop price DOES NOT include the following: - Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop - Flight or travel to and from the area - Trip / Travel insurance Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.

The Smoky Mountains offer an amazing diversity of birds for photographers and bird enthusiasts. Join us to explore the great variety of birds that the Smokies offer in the Spring. Besides species found in other southeastern states, you can also find species from the north brought down with glaciers millions of years ago. That being said, some of the best birds to locate and photograph are the migratory ones. Many birds migrate to the Smoky Mountains every year to nest and have their young. I have spent decades photographing these birds and teaching others to do the same. Experience the birds of the Smokies with me in this special small group workshop. During this workshop we will photograph birds with the lush green backdrop of newly leafed-out deciduous trees as well as with flowers in open areas. Birds will be plentiful and many will be in their first nesting cycle of the year. Local birds such as Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, American Goldfinch, and Common Yellow-throat are easy targets. The migrating birds such as Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak, and Great Crested Flycatcher provide even more colorful subjects. You will come away with amazing photos to share the story of your Smoky Mountain birding adventure! Drive to Townsend or fly into Knoxville, TN and stay in the quaint town of Townsend, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains. A variety of lodging options are available in or near Townsend including cabin rentals, family run hotels, RV camping, glamping, and rustic camping. We will have a meeting Tuesday night followed by group dinner. So plan to arrive and check into your lodging by 3:00 pm Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we will be off to our first workshop destinations. Each day we will travel to destinations to capture the amazing variety of birds in the Smokies stopping only for a midday lunch break. The workshop will conclude Friday evening. Tour size is limited to 5 participants to allow hands-on guidance and technique instruction as needed. After registering for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation by email and Welcome Letter which will include additional information and details for planning your trip. The workshop price includes:

• Guiding services and photography instruction by a skilled local nature photographer.
• Transportation during the workshop.
• Park fees including parking pass.

The workshop price does not include:

• Lodging.
• Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
• Flight or travel to and from the area.
• Trip / Travel insurance.

Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.

The Smoky Mountains offer outstanding photographic opportunities for both beginner and seasoned photographers. The Smokies are a top destination to photograph landscapes and many wildlife subjects including the American Black Bear. Join me for a small group workshop to explore the Smoky Mountains and experience black bears in their natural habitat. In this workshop you will learn the ins and outs of finding and photographing black bears with a seasoned photography guide. You will learn the habits of individual bears and their families and the territories of bears in several different locations. You will come away with amazing photos of moms with cubs and young single bears to share the story of your Smoky Mountain black bear adventure!  Drive to Townsend or fly into Knoxville, TN and stay in the quaint town of Townsend, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains. A variety of lodging options are available in or near Townsend including cabin rentals, family run hotels, RV camping, glamping, and rustic camping.  We will have a meeting Tuesday night followed by group dinner. So plan to arrive and check into your lodging by 3:00 pm on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we will be off to our first workshop destinations. Each day we will travel to destinations to capture the black bears of the Smokies stopping only for a midday lunch break. The workshop will conclude Friday evening. Tour size is limited to 5 participants to allow hands-on guidance and technique instruction as needed. After registering for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation by email and Welcome Letter which will include additional information and details for planning your trip. The workshop price includes:

• Guiding services and photography instruction by a skilled local wildlife photographer.
• Transportation during the workshop.
• Park fees including parking pass.

The workshop price does not include:

• Lodging.
• Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
• Flight or travel to and from the area.
• Trip / Travel insurance.

Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.

Exploring the Smoky Mountains and its natural beauty are reason enough to come visit and break out your photography gear. Couple that with the early spring wildflowers, and the experience is truly one of a kind. Blue, purple, pink, and white flowers grow all together. In some locations there will be banks of yellow Trillium as far as you can see. To witness and photograph blankets of white Phacelia with its green foliage is breathtaking. Experience one of the top destinations in the world for wildflowers. There are over 1500 kinds of flowering plants in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That is more than any other national park in America. The wildflower workshop is timed for the end of the early spring ephemerals and the beginning of the trilliums and orchids. Photograph Trout Lily, Mayapple, Columbine, Violets, Squirrel Corn, Dutchman’s Breeches, Wild Geranium, Fire Pink, Fringed Phacelia, Phlox, and Buttercups, as well as, Trillium varieties in their peak season. We will photograph my favorite wildflower spots. I have spent decades learning the best locations and timing. Some are beside the highways just along the road while others are along meandering pathways that wind through the gentle slopes of the mountains. You will come away with amazing photos to share the story of your Smoky Mountain wildflower adventure! Drive to Townsend or fly into Knoxville, TN and stay in the quaint town of Townsend, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains. A variety of lodging options are available in or near Townsend including cabin rentals, family run hotels, RV camping, glamping, and rustic camping. We will have a meeting Tuesday night followed by group dinner. So plan to arrive and check into your lodging by 3:00 pm on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we will be off to our first workshop destinations. Each day we will travel to unique wildflower destinations to capture the amazing variety of wildflowers and flora in the Smokies stopping at midday for a lunch break. The workshop will conclude Friday evening. Tour size is limited to 5 participants to allow hands-on guidance and technique instruction as needed. There will be some moderate hiking, so hiking shoes, sturdy pants or jeans, layered clothing, backpack with snacks and water, ball cap and bug spray are recommended. After registering for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation by email and a Welcome Letter which will include additional information and details for planning your trip. The workshop price includes:

• Guiding services and photography instruction by a skilled local nature photographer.
• Transportation during the workshop.
• Park fees including parking pass.

The workshop price does not include:

• Lodging.
• Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
• Flight or travel to and from the area.
• Trip / travel insurance.

Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.

The Smoky Mountain Fall Colors Workshop is a must for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It offers a unique chance to capture vibrant fall colors, witness breathtaking sunrises, encounter majestic elk, and explore enchanting waterfalls. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your photography skills and create stunning images in one of nature's most beautiful settings. All skill levels (including those who use a cell phone) will enjoy this workshop with a knowledgeable local guide who has decades of experience. During the workshop, we will explore the Southern Appalachian Mountains during peak fall foliage. We will have a 4.5-hour train excursion on the GSM Railroad from a historic train depot in Bryson city, NC. A highlight of the workshop is the sunrise photography sessions. Capturing the first light of the day illuminating the fall foliage is a special experience that you will not want to miss. The Smoky Mountains are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elk. During the workshop, we will have the chance to observe and photograph these magnificent creatures. Learn the technique of “wild landscapes” when you photograph Smoky Mountain Elk with peak fall colors in the background. It's a great opportunity to capture stunning wildlife shots with surrounding fall foliage and learn about these fascinating animals. To experience a bull elk bugling is truly amazing and something you will never forget. Some of the best subjects during the workshop will be the many waterfalls we photograph. Waterfalls are always an awesome subject by themselves. Add the fall colors to the background of these, and the compositions are second to none. Time permitting, we could visit as many as 5 different waterfalls. Don't miss out on this opportunity to witness and photograph the Appalachian Mountains with their fall splendor. The workshop is limited to 4 participants providing ample opportunity for one-on-one instruction. Sign up today and join us on this amazing autumn excursion. After registering for the workshop, you will receive a Welcome Letter by email that will include additional information and details for planning your trip. The workshop price includes the following: -Lodging during the workshop -Shuttle to and from McGhee Tyson airport -Park fees including parking pass -Guiding services and photography instruction during the workshop The workshop price DOES NOT include the following: -Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop -Flight or travel to and from the area -Trip / Travel insurance Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.

Full Day Tour - 8 Hours $500 – Price includes private customized tour, transportation, photography instruction, bottled water and sodas, snacks, and lunch. Pricing is per person. Maximum tour size is 3 individuals. If you are interested in a private tour for a larger group, please, contact us. Leave from Townsend in the morning. Exact departure times based on tour objectives. Each tour is customized for you.  We depart from Townsend and drive to the chosen destinations.  Some of the more elusive subjects from the animal kingdom that are in the area are Bald Eagle, Barred Owls, Black Bear Cubs, Bobcat, Bobwhite, Coyote, Elk, Hummingbirds, Northern Harrier Hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Osprey, and River Otter.  In addition to wildlife, the Smoky Mountains offer wet and dry season waterfalls, mountain sunrises, hotspots for wildflowers, and bird nesting sites.  Local knowledge on best seasons, time of day, and good angles will yield great results. Some animals and subjects are seasonal, so contact us or stop by the gallery for more information. We are located close to the National Park entrance and an easy drive from Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Half Day Tour - 4 Hours $250 – Price includes private customized tour, transportation, photography instruction, bottled water and sodas and snacks. Pricing is per person. Maximum tour size is 3 individuals. If you are interested in a private tour for a larger group, please, contact us. Leave from Townsend in the morning or afternoon. Exact departure times based on tour objectives. Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.