Smoky Mountain Portraits – Annis Family Anniversary – Gatlinburg, TN Photographer

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of my favorite, if not favorite, spots in TN. I LOVE those mountains!

It was a lovely overcast day in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg…which contrary to popular thought IS actually great for portraits…no squinting or harsh shadows! 😉

Jess contacted me a few weeks ago advising that she and her family along with her brother and his family would be taking a vacation here to celebrate their parent’s 50th wedding anniversary.  Fifty years! Isn’t that wonderful to hear!

They wanted some pictures of the whole family as they live in two different parts of the country, and don’t get to see each other often due to busy schedules.

We met up early one morning and I had the privilege to get to know more about the family from their matriarch, Marlys, wife, momma and grandmomma, as she rode up with us. She was excited about the mountains, let us in on the fact it was their first time to Tennessee, and seemed to enjoy taking in the scenery as we made our way to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

We stopped at an original homestead, Ogle Place, with real rustic cabins, and the grandbabies seemed to enjoy taking in the site.  To me there’s nothing more special than capturing the present in a place that so clearly represents the past and history of whence we all came…in places once inhabited only by wildlife and sporadic settlers who were miles apart, but determined to make a life!

I’d hoped to see a bear, as many trips as I’ve made there in my lifetime I’ve only ever seen TWO at a great distance…no such luck on a decent photograph.  However, Jess, her husband, and their girls sent me a picture message not too long after they’d departed…guess who was lucky enough to see a Black Bear on their way out of the park…on their first visit!?  What are the odds! LOL! It must just not be meant for me to grab a portrait of a bear! Haha!

So, here’s to the magic of the internet, and the fantastic Annis family. Thank you all for allowing me to take part in your celebration, I wish you many many more!  It was sincerely my pleasure and honor!

Rock on ya’ll 😉

-Braska