Why the Smokies Are My Studio

I don’t travel far to capture magic. For me, the Smokies are enough. Here’s why I build my life around these hills, this light, and this rhythm.

People ask: “Why not shoot big cities, exotic places?” My answer: I’ve tried that. But the Smokies — Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville’s foothills — they’re honest, raw, alive.

This region gives me everything: ridgelines, forest texture, seasonal mood, mountain roads, hidden trails. You don’t need to go far. You just need to see.

The city’s lights, the festival glow, the way trees lean into light — these are my textbooks. When I shoot here, I’m not trying to escape. I’m trying to deepen.

Here’s how my loop works: I film a moment. I write about it. I ask ChatGPT or open a book to dig deeper. Then I try again. Over time, I carry that loop forward — my vision becoming sharper, my voice truer.

If you’re creating where you are — not chasing somewhere else — what happens to your work? That’s what I’m testing here. This place is my frame. My canvas. My home.