Smoky Mountains Spring

I love spring time and how all the trees start blooming, but in the Smoky Mountains it starts a little slower. I was so excited to be headed back into the Smoky Mountain National Park after the cold winter. When this family contacted me to documented their Spring Break trip, I was more than happy! They traveled from Texas with a stop in Nashville before arriving in Gatlinburg. Being a Nashville native, I asked what the kids thought about Nashville, they responded with ” there’s a lot of people there!” Hahaha – I couldn’t agree more which is what makes Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains so great! (not Pigeon Forge because it might get more people!😉

I could tell these kiddos had been trained on taking photos because they were rock stars and didn’t complain at all. We did the family session along the Little River Trail near Elkmont. I love this location for a woodsy vibe because it offers several different backgrounds. We started on the troll bridge which is surrounded by tall skinny trees – which worked great for the cowboy hats which were brought along just for this picture. When you live in Texas but travel to the Country Music state…

Since a full session can feel like a long time, I suggest families bring two outfits so they not only have different backgrounds but also change up there looks too! Personally, I think it is great because you get a variety of photos even if poses are similar, it doesn’t feel that way because of the outfit changes. We moved from one side of the trail to other side which offered the river and large boulders.

This location allows for a slightly later start in the morning and for an earlier start in the evening when thinking about sessions. It also gives off all the National Park vibes. It is not too far from the parking area which is nice to not have to hike up, but it is gravel so not wheelchair friendly per se.

L.Pellegrin Photography | Gatlinburg & Knoxville Family Photographer