Spring Fling
Photos from April, 2025 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This year’s visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park was different. As I mentioned in my previous post, I’m usually there at the end of May to photograph fireflies and lead a workshop with the same focus. That said, we always make time to photograph the other extraordinary aspects of the park, such as its (larger) wildlife, mountain ridges, old-growth forests, and, of course… its countless creeks and rivers. Despite regular trips to the Smokies over the past seven years, there was a noticeable lack of images in my portfolio representing its waterways. It wasn’t for lack of trying, but I felt I was missing a connection with the water and its pathways through the mountains.
My first week in the park was spent with my family, which didn’t leave much time for photography, but made for plenty of time for tourist attractions, hiking, and playing in the water. Our kids are 6 and 2, and the running joke was that we had spent all this money on travel to throw rocks in a different body of water. Don’t get me wrong, we had a blast! And every afternoon was spent with our feet in the cold, flowing water of the Smokies… but all good things must end. After a week of family fun, I drove them to the airport and said goodbye. As for me, I had to switch mindsets pretty quickly from dad to photographer. Later that day I met up with the team from Out of Chicago and the other photographers instructing at the Out of the Great Smoky Mountains Photography Conference and got to work. Now, for all the beauty this park holds and all the knowledge and creativity of my peers at the conference, my inspiration for the remainder of the trip came from the most unexpected place… a text from my wife.
The image below is the only one not photographed during this trip. It’s from a previous visit back in 2021 and hangs at the bottom of the stairs in our home in Maine. My wife’s text described a scenario in which she was getting the kids ready for bed when our two-year-old, Lucey, began pointing from the top of the stairs and shouting. Alli couldn’t figure out what she wanted. At first, she thought Lucey was pointing at the front door, asking for me, or maybe to go outside, but soon realized she was pointing at this photo. We didn’t go to this spot, but to Lucey it was filled with familiar elements, the most significant being flowing water.
That story was so inspiring to me! After hearing it, I set out to photograph more scenes like it to share with my family.
My inspiration didn’t stop there. My second week in the park, teaching, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones, was another unforgettable experience… and I will carry that with me on my next visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.
That’s not all! You can view these and the rest of my images from this trip on my website. Not all the photos will make it into my permanent Great Smoky Mountains gallery, so check them out now!
I also recommend visiting Out of Chicago’s website. They specialize in immersive, in-person and online photography conferences. They attract the world’s best photographers, connecting you with the pros and energizing your photography.
Beautiful images John - I probably have too many 'flowing water through moss covered boulder' photographs, but I just can't stop!
Wonderful story and fantastic photos, John. I haven't been in a number of years, but the Smokies are one of my favorite places to visit. Every time I've been, it's been hard for me to come back home.