What better place to celebrate fall and improve your nature photography skills than in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Capture remarkable colors as the leaves change in our Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop.

This course covers the use of light, composition, and equipment to capture beautiful mountain landscapes, intimate stream scenes, fascinating textures, native wildlife, and brilliant sunrises. Throughout the weekend, we’ll focus on fieldwork while visiting scenic spots around Foothills Parkway, the Elkmont historic area, and Cades Cove before the gate opens to the public. As the only residential photography workshop inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in your surroundings.

Of course, there will also be plenty of time for constructive feedback and support from instructors throughout the experience. Take advantage of the five expert photographers who will serve as your mentors for this class during one-on-one sessions, and tap into the collective experience of the group during the image review session at the end of the course. The peer review session is often noted as a favorite part of the workshop!

This workshop is designed for all levels of expertise, from beginners to intermediates and beyond.

Cost: $829
Registration includes instruction, food, and lodging in our dorm inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Register Online

Photos from the 2022 Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop. Click to enlarge.

Meet the Instructors:
Lead Instructor: Tom Vadnais
Assistant Instructors: Susan Milinkovich (www.susanmilinkovich.com); Todd Moore (www.naturephotog.com); Dan Thompson (www.danandholly.com); Steve Zigler (www.stevezigler.com)

Already Registered? Check out the welcome letter for suggested readings, a tentative itinerary, a packing list, and other essential details for your stay. Please review our latest COVID-19 precautions prior to your visit.

Parking Passes

Valid parking tags are required on any vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park as part of the Park it Forward program; this includes when parked at Tremont. Please purchase your parking tag in advance, not when you arrive. Click here to purchase your daily or weekly pass online.  All revenue will stay in the park to provide sustainable, year-round support focusing on improving the visitor experience, protecting resources, and maintaining trails, roads, historic structures, and facilities. Learn more about Park it Forward.

Cover photo by Jennifer Haralamos.