EXPLORE Springtime in the Smokies, NC

Let’s do some exploring!

Join me for a day (or half a day) of exploring and photographing this epic location in pursuit of calendar-worthy photos! With the specific moments of sunrise and sunset as our only hard deadlines, and with capturing the vibrant landscapes of this area as our main objective, we will let the particulars of each location and the elements of God’s hand in nature dictate our schedule.

Here are some things we will likely be encountering:

• Photographing both sunrise and sunset at breathtaking overlooks
• Long exposure photography
• Real-life location scouting
• Maximizing cloud types, weather patterns, and natural lighting situations
• Tracking sun and moon positioning for intentional placement in photographs
• Previsualizing scenes
• In-the-field composition coaching
• Night sky and Milky Way photography
• Experimenting with James’ photography gear
• Pick James’ brain on any photography topic
• Fellowship with other Christian photographers in the beauty of God’s creation

Details

Who should come: Anyone who has a camera and wants to take extraordinay photos in the great outdoors. Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an approved guardian (exceptions can be requested here).

Tuition: $199/photographer for the full day (sunrise and sunset), or $99/photographer for a half day (6 hours surrounding just sunrise or just sunset). Lenspiration members receive 50% off automatically at checkout. Tuition does not cover park fees.

Transportation: Each attendee is responsible for their own transportation to and from the meetup location, as well as getting around to the multiple shooting locations we’ll be visiting throughout the day (exceptions and carpooling options can be requested here).

Meetup Location: The current plan is to meet at 5:30am on Wednesday morning, May 6, at Luftee Overlook on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina on Rt 441. This should allow enough time to set up and enjoy a stunning sunrise. Meetup location is subject to change, but if you are registered, James will reach out to you personally if anything changes.

Tentative Schedule: Meet before sunrise. Photograph blue hour and sunrise at Luftee Overlook. Drive seven miles over to Kuwohi Observation Deck, the highest point in Tennessee for golden hour and devotions. We’ll then make our way down toward Bryson City, stopping along the way at scenic locations as we run across them. During the mid-day hours we’ll explore waterfalls, mountain streams, and go tubing on Deep Creek if it’s warm enough and we want to make the time for it (there will likely not be enough tubes to go around so bring your own, or renting options are available in town). After an early dinner, we’ll plan to head up the Blue Ridge Parkway to photograph tunnels and overlooks through golden hour, sunset, and dusk. For those who can stay, we may try photographing the night sky until around 10:00pm.

Meals: You are responsible for bringing your own water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. We’ll be eating picnic style in the outdoors for breakfast, but we may be able to have lunch and dinner at an indoor location near Bryson City.

Lodging: Each attendee is responsible for their own lodging.

Weather: Expect it to be cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon, low of 50F, high of 75F. Bring extra layers, a headlamp, a rain jacket, a hat, water shoes, hiking shoes, and extra pairs of socks. We’ll be in the water, I’m sure. Check the weather beforehand in case it’s predicted to be rainy, and plan accordingly.

Prerequisites: For general details on things like prerequisites and what to to bring, see the details listed out at www.lenspiration.com/meetup. For this specific workshop, because we will have opportunity for night photography, it is highly recommended that you bring a tripod, a shutter release (if you have one), and the widest angle lens you have with the widest aperture possible.

More Photos: Be inspired by photos taken during other Lenspiration workshops at www.lenspiration.photos/workshopphotos

Questions? Feel free to contact James directly for specific inquiries at www.lenspiration.com/contact