Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Photo Workshops and Tours

John is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park.

Join us on an instructional photo tour or workshop to Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding areas. This incredible biodiversity makes this one of the top areas in the country for nature photography.

April is a magical time to be here. The forests are carpeted with wildflowers, lush forests, and beautiful mountain ranges. The streams and waterfalls are flowing at peak water level. We also will photograph wildlife such as white-tailed deer, coyote, wild turkey, and black bear. Some years we have had over 20 black bear sightings. Most are out of photo range, but many are close.

The park is home to approximately 1,600 kinds of flowering plants. In fact, the park is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.” During mid-to-late April many wildflowers are in brilliant displays. One of the fantastic aspects of the park's vastness and its expansive elevation range of over 4,000 feet is the opportunity it provides to pursue the blooming season. You can start at lower elevations with warmer southern exposures, gradually ascend to higher elevations with cooler northern exposures, and thus extend the duration of peak bloom.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains some of the largest tracts of wilderness in the East and is a critical sanctuary for a wide variety of animals. Protected in the park are some 66 species of mammals, over 200 varieties of birds, 50 native fish species, and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians. The reason for the large number of species is attributable to several factors, including vast differences in altitude and temperature, the impact of the ice age, and the preservation efforts by the National Park Service.

The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. The Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile.

This tour will greatly enhance your skill as a photographer. We will be doing a lot of landscape, wildlife, and macro photography. We also have a conference room reserved for additional critique sessions and lessons where we will discuss wildlife, macro, and nature photography techniques, post processing, and provide some photo critiques depending on the needs and wishes of the group.

Our itinerary will be planned around weather conditions, lighting, and recent wildlife activity. We will take advantage of the lighting and the unique opportunities. Our goal is to capture the best images we can during our tour. Each day we will be starting before dawn and ending after sunset. However, we typically will take a mid-day break to rest and recuperate. This is also a good time to review photo techniques and photo critiques. Townsend, TN serves as the central hub for accessing numerous prime photo spots within the parks.

John Slonina has been photographing this area for almost 20 years. He is an authorized permittee of the national park. His experience brings in-depth knowledge of the area and its resident wildlife.

Where:
Great Smoky Mountain National Park and vicinity. The tour begins and ends in Townsend, TN.

When:
April 20-24, 2024 (1 Space left)

Itinerary:
Day 1: We will meet at the hotel. Check in time is at 3 pm.

We will have an introductory meeting, review safety guidelines, and discuss recent wildlife sightings. We also will discuss plans, goals and objectives for the upcoming week. We will then leave for an evening shoot continuing to sunset.

Day 2-4: We will meet and be on location before the sun comes up to take advantage of the morning light and the peak wildlife activity. There will also be an afternoon session continuing to sunset. Each day is paced to maximize photo opportunities and the schedule will be flexible to maximize getting the best light.

Day 5: Early morning photo shoot. We will conclude the trip and return to the hotel before check out time of 11 am

Skill and Fitness Level Requirements:
Anyone with an interest in photography from beginner to professional. The participants should have a love of nature and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting.

There are several short hikes on this trip. All hikes should be within 1-3 miles.

Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

Subjects:
This tour offers a combination of landscape and wildlife photography, catering to participants with an interest in both. While the focus is primarily on capturing breathtaking landscapes, encountering a black bear within range and favorable lighting conditions will be given special priority.

Group Size:
Our tour company boasts a smaller group size compared to most others, which offers distinct advantages. This allows us to optimize the learning experience for our participants and grants us access to remote areas, surpassing what bus tours, day tours, and carpools can provide. Numerous locations we visit can only accommodate one or two cars at a time. With our smaller groups, we can achieve a closer proximity to wildlife, minimizing their anxiety and creating more intimate encounters.

What's Included:
Transportation: Our services include convenient transportation from the hotel to various field locations, ensuring participants' comfort throughout the journey in our passenger vans. However, we have encountered a challenge when it comes to certain tours that require multiple vehicles. The issue arises because some of the most picturesque spots can accommodate only 3 or 4 cars at a time. Consequently, this restricts our tours from visiting these exceptional locations. Additionally, for wildlife photography enthusiasts, finding a parking spot can be even more challenging, especially when encountering a bear by the side of the road.

Gates fees and permits

Professional Instruction on photography and wildlife (identification and behavior)

Classroom and or Zoom Class: This trip is planned to maximize time outdoors photographing. We may have classroom time to discuss photography, post processing and to give photo critiques. I will customize the program(s) to cover the wishes of our small group.

After the tour: You will be invited to zoom classes exclusive to past tour participants at no additional cost. Topics will be Lightroom, Photoshop, Wildlife Photography and Landscape Photography.

Not Included:
Lodging. The hotel is not included but we reserved a block of rooms under Slonina Photography with a discount rate. Please mention Slonina Photography to get this rate.

Food and drinks. We will visit various restaurants in and out of the park. Each participant will be responsible for their own food tab. We will also stop for snacks and drinks.

All flights are not included.

Our job is not only to help you create beautiful images and to have fun, but to also teach skills and techniques that you can use to take your photography to the next, higher level.

Price:
$2695 per person
Deposit: $500
Balance Due: six months before start date

Payment:
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards thru our online shopping cart.

Cancellation Policy:

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Directions:

Tour Guides:
John Slonina (leader) A professional nature photographer who has been photographing for several decades. During the workshop, you will receive information on photography techniques and the natural world. Understanding nature not only increases your appreciation of it but also helps you become a better nature photographer.

Jeanine Slater (Coleader) teaches photography part time at Maryland College and have my “side hustle” as a photographer, doing portrait sessions, teaching, tours, engagement and small wedding sessions. She has done commercial photography for businesses from Asheville to Raleigh and do small, personal tours in Asheville and the surrounding areas along with Charleston, SC. Nothing better than working at what you love and loving your work!

We hope you can join us at this incredible place. If you have any questions, please contact us.