Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Photo Workshops and Tours

John Slonina has been photographing the Smoky Mountains 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.

Join us on an instructional photo tour or workshop to the 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 IN THE SMOKIES
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 will also 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.

WILDFLOWERS & BLOOMING SEASON
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.

WILDLIFE DIVERSITY
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 BLACK BEAR
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.

PHOTOGRAPHY & INSTRUCTION
This tour is designed to help you grow as a photographer. We’ll focus on landscape, wildlife, and macro photography in the field, and we’ll also use a conference room for critique sessions and lessons. Topics will include nature photography techniques, post-processing, and personalized feedback based on the interests and needs of the group.

Our itinerary will be shaped by weather, light, and recent wildlife activity to give us the best opportunities in the field. Each day will begin before dawn and continue through sunset, with a mid-day break to rest and recharge. These breaks also provide time for reviewing techniques and photo critiques. Townsend, TN, will serve as our base, offering convenient access to many of the park’s prime photo locations.

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

WHEN
April 20-24, 2026 (2 spaces left)

GROUP SIZE
Our tours are intentionally limited in size, giving each participant more personal instruction and better opportunities in the field. Smaller groups also reduce disturbance to wildlife, allowing for closer and more natural encounters.

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.

ITINERARY

Day 1: We will meet in the hotel lobby after check-in, which begins at 3 p.m. Our first gathering will include an introduction, a review of safety guidelines, and a discussion of recent wildlife sightings. We’ll also go over the plans and goals for the week. In the evening, we’ll head out for our first photo session, continuing through sunset.

Days 2-4: We will meet on location before sunrise to take advantage of the morning light and peak wildlife activity. In the afternoon, we’ll head out again and photograph through sunset. Each day is planned to maximize photo opportunities, with flexibility built in to ensure we’re in the best light.

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

SKILL & 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 round-trip.

• Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Lodging (Double Occupancy) plus $350 if you want your own room

• Transportation: We provide comfortable transportation from the hotel to all field locations in our passenger vans. Because some of the best photography spots only allow a handful of vehicles, our smaller group size ensures we can access these areas without the challenges larger bus tours face. This also makes it easier to stop spontaneously for wildlife sightings, such as bears along the roadside.

• Gates fees and permits

• Professional instruction on photography and wildlife (identification and behavior)

• 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.

NOT INCLUDED

• 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 also to teach skills and techniques that you can use to take your photography to the next, higher level.

PRICE
$3995 per person
Deposit: $1000 per person (this reserves your spot)
Balance: $2995 (due six months before tour begins)
Single Room Upgrade: $350 (this will give you a private room)

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

Cancellation Policy

Testimonials

Directions

John Slonina (leader)
John Slonina is a professional nature photographer with more than 35 years of experience. His passion for the natural world is reflected in both his photography and teaching. During the workshop, he will share not only photography techniques but also insights into the natural world. This deeper understanding enhances your appreciation of nature and helps you grow as a photographer.

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