Great Smoky Mountains Spring Workshop
April 22nd to 26th, 2025

This multi-day workshop visits some of the iconic areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During the course of this workshop, we will visit scenic overlooks, mountain streams, and scenic valleys. We will experience the wildflowers of spring, the layers of the mountains, the flowing water of streams under spring greens, and likely see some wildlife along the way - including deer, turkeys, and maybe even a bear or two. 

In addition to guiding you through the park to these areas, we will provide photography instruction along the way. Topics will range from capturing a well-exposed image to composition, fieldcraft, and more advanced techniques like exposure bracketing and focus-stacking during the workshop. During the mid-day downtime, we will be available to review editing techniques and have more in-depth discussions of topics we touch on in the field.

Our instruction is a mix of group and individual instruction during the workshop. We cover the broad concepts as a group when we visit locations and then more individual attention while we are photographing to help answer specific questions you may have. 

We keep the workshop size small. This allows the individual attention to maximize the value you can gain from the workshop with one-on-one instruction to work on specific skills for you. It also helps give us plenty of room to work at various locations so we aren’t in each other’s way.

Great Smoky Mountains

$1495

Apr 22-26,
2025

Two
Instructors

2 Spots
of 8 Left

Fitness Level
Moderate

Itinerary

With changing springtime conditions, our locations can vary depending on the weather and which will present the best photographic opportunities. Due to this, the itinerary listed below is focused on the activity and not the location, which allows for flexibility during the workshop.

April 22nd, 2025 - Arrive in Townsend, Tennessee, the peaceful side of the Smokies. We base ourselves out of Townsend for the duration of the workshop. We will meet late in the afternoon for introductions, orientation to the workshop, and safety talks. Once we complete that we will head out for a short time in the park to photograph in the golden hour.

April 23rd, 2025 - Early morning with sunrise in the park. Early lunch with a brief break mid-day. We will reconvene with a “classroom” session and then back into the park for sunset photography.

April 24th, 2025 - Early morning with sunrise in the park. Lunch with a mid-day break. Reconvene with a “classroom” session and then back into the park for sunset photography.

April 25th, 2025 - Early morning with sunrise in the park. Lunch with a break mid-day. Reconvene with a “classroom” session and then back into the park for sunset photography.

April 26th, 2025 - We will photograph scenes at sunrise on our final morning together. After the sun rises and we have captured what we can, we will have a brief Q&A session to answer any final questions and close the workshop out. The workshop ends by mid-morning to allow checkout from lodging.

Classroom sessions noted are simply group instruction on specific topics and typically include a look at photo editing and photo editing workflow, plus deeper dives into topics as determined by participants. The goal of these sessions is to review topics that are causing you trouble in the field so we have time to understand them better and then put them into practice during the on-location photography sessions. 

Locations we visit during this workshop include:

  • Cades Cove

  • Foothills Parkway

  • Tremont

  • Little River

  • Kuwohi

  • Morton Overlook

  • Newfound Gap

  • Roaring Fork

Workshop Information

Fitness:

Moderate

The majority of this workshop takes place at overlooks or driveable locations. There are certain spots where a 1 to 3-mile hike is necessary. Much of the stream photography requires hiking down to stream on rocks and roots, some of which can be slippery. Because of this, good physical condition is required. (If you have questions - please contact us BEFORE registering.)

Lodging:

This multi-day workshop is based out of the Townsend, Tennessee area. When we meet in the mornings it will be in Townsend, so staying in Townsend or close by is important.

You are responsible for your own lodging arrangements. There are several motels, campgrounds, and AirBnBs in the area to choose from. The Townsend Visitor Center has a good list to get you started.

Transportation:

You are responsible for transportation during the workshop, though carpooling is encouraged among the participants. A couple of the locations do require an SUV with high clearance.

What to Bring:

Please reference our Preparing for a Landscape Photography Workshop page for what to bring and prepare for before a workshop. We will communicate additional information via email prior to the workshop.

Included in Workshop:

  • Landscape Photography Guiding

  • Landscape Photography Instruction

Not Included:

  • Transportation To/From/During Workshop

  • Lodging

  • Meals

  • Anything not listed as included.

  • We recommend travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

Payment Terms:

Your spot for the workshop is only confirmed when a $300 deposit is received. The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before the workshop's date. Please review the workshop's Terms and Conditions before registering. Payment of workshop fees means you accept the Terms and Conditions of workshop registration.

Registration:

Jeffrey Tadlock

Jeffrey is a professional landscape photographer based in Ohio who enjoys photographing landscapes across the United States. He has traveled with camera in hand across the US - from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the highest points in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Jeffrey has a passion for helping fellow landscape photographers work on growing their landscape photography skills. He emphasizes understanding and practicing exposure fundamentals so photographers are positioned to exercise their creative vision without the technical side holding them back. He also emphasizes more than the technicals by also helping people learn to enjoy the process of landscape photography and the natural surroundings.

Jeffrey has led numerous workshops in the Ohio and West Virginia regions. His familiarity with the workshop locations will help ensure you walk away from the workshop with images to add to your portfolio and new confidence in your landscape photography.

The InstructorS

Michael Rung

Michael Rung is a photographer based out of north Texas, but he's passionate about exploring woodlands and photographing forest streams and waterfalls, subjects not generally found in Texas. He found his passion for such scenes, and photography in general, in Ireland and has also spent time in northern Arkansas photographing its lesser-known yet equally beautiful waterfalls.

As someone who deeply appreciates the beauty and magnificence of the natural world, Michael feels strongly about protecting the authenticity of nature photography through representational work. To him, it's not just about capturing visually stunning images; it's about preserving genuine moments and scenes that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.

After close to three decades working for the same company, where he was largely responsible for the coaching and development of others, Michael stepped away from his corporate career in early 2022 to pursue his passion for nature and landscape photography, and teaching, full-time.