Grandfather Mountain’s annual Nature Photography Weekend returns, with presentations from top nature photographers, hands-on breakout sessions, a friendly contest and the rare opportunity to photograph the mountain’s spectacular scenery and native animals before and after regular business hours. Activities begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday midday.
The 2022 speaker lineup features:
• Vinny Colucci
• Jamie Konarski Davidson
• Bill Fortney
• Tony Sweet
• Tommy White
Presentations take place in the afternoons and evenings, allowing participants to explore Grandfather Mountain and take their own shots during the day, while also participating in several outdoor field sessions (weather permitting) with professional photographers. Opportunities for sunrise and sunset photography will also be offered.
Participants are invited to camp Friday and Saturday nights at the Woods Walk Picnic Area during the weekend, taking advantage of one of the few opportunities to stay overnight inside the park.
Event Tickets
There are two admission levels to Nature Photography Weekend
- $125 level covers three-day park admission, a Saturday evening meal, entry to all presentations and field sessions and a flash drive for submitting contest entries.
- $100 level includes all of the above, but does not include participation in the photo contest.
Weekend Guest Passes + Guest Dinner Passes
Guest passes for family members and guests of registered NPW attendees are available here May 4. These passes offer discounted three-day admission for the weekend of the event ($60/adult, $28/child). The $20 dinner pass allows a guest to attend the Saturday buffet meal. Please put the registered event person’s name in the “Notes” section during check-out.
The Contest
The Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Weekend includes a friendly but competitive contest. Speakers give presentations during the evening sessions, leaving the days free for participants to practice their skills at one of the most spectacular destinations for photographing nature in the Southeast.
Participants will turn in their digital images at 5 p.m. Saturday on a flash drive supplied by Grandfather Mountain in the registration packet. Each person selects three images to enter in any combination of four categories (Animals in Habitats, Animals in the Wild, Wildflowers and Scenic) and two classes (beginner or advanced).
Images may be touched up using computer software. Be warned that the judges do not look kindly on contrived images (like placing a giant gorilla on Linville Peak) or photos that have been manipulated to the degree that they violate the spirit of the contest (like bringing the end of a rainbow down in the center of the Mile High Swinging Bridge).
You will need to bring (or borrow) a computer to save your images to the flash drive. Grandfather Mountain cannot promise computer time to any participant. Additional details are included in participants’ registration packets.
Camping
Although Grandfather Mountain does not operate a commercial campground, campsites are available at no charge in the Grandfather Mountain Woods Walk Picnic Area for our NPW guests.
The picnic area has bathrooms and water fountains, but no other amenities. No formal spots are reserved, but folks usually have no trouble finding a place to pitch their tents or park their vehicles.
If you’re camping, be sure to display your camping pass (included in your packet) in a visible spot on your dashboard at all times when you’re in the park.
Registration
Registration opens here on Wednesday, May 4, at 9 a.m.