The idyllic setting of Cades Cove, a nearly 7000 acre valley near Townsend Tennessee, is a sampler of everything the Smoky Mountains has to offer. We will spend three days exploring this unique environment as well as Roaring Forks, the Foothills Parkway, and the Tremont area. Shooting will include landscapes, mountain scenes, sunrises, sunsets, rushing water, pioneer cabins and, conditions permitting, wildlife. We’ll meet Wednesday night to discuss shooting technique and what we’ll see and to lay out our itinerary. This will allow us to start shooting at first light Thursday morning. We’ll shoot all day Thursday and Friday, and Saturday. We’ll discuss and demonstrate, in the field, composition and exposure techniques for shooting landscapes, waterfalls and macro. After a morning shoot on Sunday we’ll head for Maggie Valley to photograph the elk in Cataloochee Valley Sunday evening and two sessions on Monday. The workshop will end after dinner Monday. 

Places we’ll visit: Cades Cove, Tremont, Roaring Forks (motor nature trail), Elkmont, The Chimneys Recreation Area, and the Cataloochee Valley.

Please note; Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene last September the access road in Cataloochee Valley has been washed out in several places. Cataloochee itself is accessible all the way to the Beech Grove School, a little more than halfway into the valley. Photographing the elk may require walking further into the Valley as much as 1 mile from the school. I just want you to be prepared for this possibility. There is also every possibility that the access road will be rebuilt by late October.

What we’ll learn: A variety of techniques for capturing dramatic mountain landscapes and waterfalls, macro techniques, techniques for capturing sunrise/sunset, and effective use of filters.

Kenny McKeithan Photography holds permits to conduct photography workshops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

When: October 29 – November 3, 2025

This workshop will begin at 4pm on Wednesday, October 29th and end after dinner on Monday, November 3rd.

Cost: $749.00     CNPA Member $699.00      Deposit $200.00

If you choose to pay the deposit you will be sent a PayPal invoice for the balance due on or about September 21st, 2025

If you would like more information on joining the Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association please click HERE.