Today we’d like to introduce you to Smoky Mountain Photographers.
Hi Smoky Mountain, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Smoky Mountain Photographers Group was founded on a simple idea: to provide a reliable and easy-to-use resource for clients seeking professional photographers in the Great Smoky Mountains. Initially, membership was restricted to photographers holding a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) issued by the National Park Service. Membership in the Smoky Mountain Photographers Group ensured that all participating photographers were operating legally inside the park and understood the responsibilities that came with working in such a protected space.
Over time, the National Park Service announced changes to the CUA program, which necessitated the group’s evolution as well. Today, the Smoky Mountain Photographers Group is open to all local photographers who carry the proper business license and liability insurance. This shift allows the group to remain a trusted source for clients while supporting a broader community of professional photographers who call the Smokies home.
What started as a small network has grown into a collective of dedicated professionals with one shared goal: making it easier for couples, families, and visitors to find skilled, experienced photographers who know the Smokies best.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a remarkably smooth journey. The Smoky Mountain Photographers Group has benefited from the fact that so many talented photographers are eager to serve couples and families in the mountains. With thousands of active users visiting the website each month (and hundreds of contact form submissions coming through each year), the group is proud to say that the platform has become a trusted and valuable resource. What began as a simple idea has grown into a thriving product that connects clients with professionals who truly know and love the Smokies.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Smoky Mountain Photographers Group exists to connect visitors with professional, local photographers who know the Smokies best. Members of the group specialize in everything from weddings and elopements to family sessions, engagements, and portraits, offering clients a wide range of talent and styles to choose from. What sets the group apart is not just the artistry of its photographers, but the assurance that each member is a legitimate business operating with the proper licensing and insurance.
The group is most proud of creating a trusted, one-stop resource that makes finding a photographer in the Great Smoky Mountains a stress-free and straightforward process. By curating a network of dedicated professionals, the group ensures that couples and families can confidently hire someone who understands the unique light, terrain, and beauty of the mountains. This combination of local expertise and professional credibility is what sets the Smoky Mountain Photographers Group apart.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
For the Smoky Mountain Photographers Group, networking has always been the greatest resource. The group is a community-driven organization, where connection and collaboration are at the heart of its success. By combining the public-facing website with a private VIP Facebook group for photographers, members can share insights, discuss changes with the National Park Service, and support one another in real time. That spirit of networking not only strengthens the group itself but also ensures that clients benefit from a collective of professionals who are constantly learning from and encouraging each other.
Pricing:
- $450+ for family sessions
- $1000+ for elopements and weddings
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greatsmokymountainphotographers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokymountainphotographers/
