There is not much that can compare to the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains-one of the most photographed locations in the country and one of our favorites. They are full of photographic inspirations. It will be four days of almost non-stop shooting of a variety of photo "ops": old barns and fences, peak spring wildflowers with and without critters on them, waterfalls, rivers, and scenics galore, and more often than not, deer, turkey and maybe even a mama bear with cubs. And if we are really lucky, a late covering of spring snow.  North of the tropics, only China can match the Southern Appalachians in the diversity of flowers. The 521,490 acre park has more than 1,400 species of native flowering plants.   These spring flowers combined with a diverse array of other subjects provide a photographer’s paradise.  If you are not an early bird, this is not the hobby or art form to pursue.  We shoot from pre-sunrise until the afterglow of sunset.  We stop for coffee first thing in the a.m. for those in need of a jump start and then we are off. We eat lunches on the road and then continue on, letting the “light” carries us. We have started a tradition of taking boxed dinners up the mountain so as not to miss sunset.  “Can’t be late for work”!!

Participants will have the opportunity, as they do in all of our workshops, to experience all sorts of equipment including as assortment of tripods.  They will receive lots of one on one time in the field and have many opportunities to experiment and ask questions.   Demonstrations are a great learning tool.   We are there for our participants throughout the day – every waking hour – taking advantage of as much working time as possible.

We will gather on Tuesday evening, the 13th, at 5:00 p.m. in the conference room and depart on Saturday around 11:00 a.m. The fee is $645 (food and lodging not included).  A block of rooms has been reserved for your convenience at an Inn on the edge of Gatlinburg.  After reserving your spot in the workshop, you’ll need to make your room reservation.