Overview

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.

Quick Info

  • Type Wildlife
  • Date April 15 - 18, 2025
  • Price $1,950
  • Tickets Good Availability
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What You'll See

  • Photograph colorful song birds in mountain meadows
  • Spring nesting warblers and vireos
  • Varieties of swallows and flycatchers with chicks

Other Workshops & Tours

Smoky Mountain Big Buck Rut

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.
  • Wildlife
  • December 2 - 5, 2025
  • $1,950

Smoky Mountain Waterfalls

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.
  • Landscape
  • July 6 - 10, 2025
  • $3,500

Alaska Brown Bear Experience

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime photographic adventure with us in Alaska, where the majestic brown bears roam freely in their natural habitat. Imagine photographing awe-inspiring moments as these powerful creatures fish for salmon and play in pristine waters. Join us in witnessing the untamed beauty of the Last Frontier. This journey promises not only remarkable photo opportunities but also a profound connection with nature. We will observe and photograph brown bears in their natural element. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting your photographic journey, this experience will undoubtedly provide unforgettable memories. Gain a newfound appreciation for the awe-inspiring wildlife that call Alaska home. Come, join us for this brown bear photographic experience in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.
  • Landscape & Wildlife
  • TBA, 2026
  • $TBA

Smoky Mountain Birds

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.
  • Wildlife
  • April 15 - 18, 2025
  • $1,950

Smoky Mountain Black Bear

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.
  • Wildlife
  • May 20 - 23, 2025
  • $1,950

Jackson Hole & The Grand Tetons

Join us for a photographic journey to the crown jewel of national parks, the Grand Tetons. Stay in Jackson, Wyoming and explore Jackson Hole and all that it has to offer. Spend 5 days and 5 nights in this beautiful valley with soaring mountains rising straight up to almost 14,000 feet. Experience moose, bighorn sheep, mountain elk, mule deer, grizzly bear, and much more with the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Walk among the ranches and barns of Mormon Row, and visit other sites, such as Bar Flying U Ranch, for impressive landscapes. The workshop will be led by experienced photographer and guide, Barry Spruce. Participants will be limited to 10 ensuring plenty of one-on-one instruction. Lodging is centrally located in Jackson within easy walking distance to restaurants for dining each evening. Transportation will be in the comfort of two extended, large SUVs, such as Chevy Suburbans. This is a hotel based workshop in November. The cost per person is for a single occupancy room. After registering for the tour, you will receive additional information by email for booking your flights and planning your trip. NOTE: The workshop fee includes: - Lodging and breakfast (5 nights and 5 days) - Transportation during workshop - Free shuttle to and from airport - Park entry fees - Photography instruction and guiding services for both landscape and wildlife NOTE: The workshop fee does not include: - Transportation to and from Jackson Hole, WY - Lunch, dinner, other incidentals - Trip insurance Authorized Permittee of Grand Teton National Park
  • Landscape & Wildlife
  • November 3 - 8, 2025
  • $3,500

Lighthouse Land & Sea

Have you ever wanted to visit New England, one of the oldest areas of America? How about seeing and photographing scenic lighthouses along the rugged Atlantic coastline? Join me for this workshop, and I will show you where and how to photograph these iconic lighthouses from the 1800’s. To say I have abundant experience is an understatement as I was born and raised on the coast of New England. Journey with me this summer up and down the coast photographing all of my favorite destinations. Along the way I give you the history of the earliest towns and fishing villages. Each day we eat local fare which of course includes some of the freshest seafood in the country. This 5-night and 5-day workshop begins and ends with flights to and from Logan International Airport in Boston, MA. Once you arrive on the scheduled date, your transportation is provided for the rest of your stay. We use the largest SUV’s available to chauffeur you and the other participants from lighthouse to lighthouse. Two lighthouses on our itinerary are the most photographed and iconic in the country. There will be many highlights to the Land and Sea Workshop. One is to lodge beside a lighthouse for both sunrise and sunset photography. We stay in an iconic inn that was once the home of a fishing captain. To be able to walk out the front door and just down the road to do these shoots is very special indeed. It is a beautiful inn and a great photographic opportunity itself. Another very special part of the workshop is to photograph the same lighthouses from both land and sea. I have secured reservations with a company for two 4-person helicopters for our excursion. There will be 2 of us and a pilot traveling up the coast in each helicopter. There are no doors attached permitting direct inline shots of all of the lighthouses. 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 fee includes the following: -Lodging during the workshop. -Shuttle to and from Boston Logan International airport. -Transportation during the workshop. -Park fees and tolls. -Guiding services and photography instruction during the workshop. -Helicopter ride to photograph lighthouses. The workshop fee 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 and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page.
  • Landscape
  • August 11 - 16, 2025
  • $3,800

Smoky Mountain Wildflowers

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.
  • Landscape
  • April 1 - April 4, 2025
  • $1,950

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