Each year I look forward to photographing the Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum! As the temperatures drop and the edit queue is full of weddings, portraits, corporate, commercial, events, and adventures, capturing Winter Lights has become the best holiday tradition. I am so glad I wrapped a session just in time to make the last hour of the preview night last week! It was a perfect night to walk through some of this year's displays and take it all in. It is spectacular! Each year has gotten better and this year is no exception so be sure to go check it out!

Visit the click here to visit the Winter Lights page on the NC Arboretum site for more information about tickets and event info. 

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Linville Falls Overlook Trail

After the most lovely engagement session in Linville, North Carolina, on a spectacular September afternoon, could not pass up a quick detour to Linville Falls. I love any chance I get to adventure in Linville, whether down in the gorge, up on the vistas, or in the adorable towns nearby. There was enough time for a little escape so I took off to sit by the upper falls for a bit, then hiked the rest of the the 1.6 mile in and back Erwin's View and Linville falls overlook trail. This trail first led me to the upper falls, a set of cascades surrounded by the most amazing stratified rock formations. Back up the steps and continuing up the hill led me to four different overlooks with views of the falls and wilderness areas below.

This iconic waterfall is rated one of the best waterfalls in North Carolina. The 90 foot drop makes for a dramatic sight as the water gushes through the stratified rock created by the Linville Fault. This fault is visible on the rock face the falls cut through. The never ending variety of landscapes, flora, and fauna in western North Carolina never ceases to amaze me. Each overlook's perspective was unique and worth the time to visit...wishing I had been able to stay longer. The rugged wilderness of the Linville Gorge forever calls me to come back soon to explore again.

The first signs of fall are starting to show and it is going to be a spectacular season! The bright red pops of early color from the red maple trees were impossible to ignore while trekking through a world of green. The sun illuminated the crimson leaves on the trail, making me stop in my tracks to attempt to capture that magical sight. I love that the forests will soon be painted in the colors of autumn and I cannot wait to try to to justice to it all through my lens. Here I stand at this beginning of yet another turning of the season, still in awe and ready to witness and photograph the beauty in the changes ahead.

If you get to visit the gorge or any natural place, remember to leave no trace - pack out what you bring with you and take only photos/video. Linville can be a very popular place especially on weekends, and if going to explore the gorge, many of the roads are best in a 4 wheel drive vehicle with lots of ground clearance - and patience for others out for adventures on the road or on the trail. Linville Gorge is a wilderness area, so not many trails are marked and if you go you need to be prepared in all the ways.

I hope you enjoy getting to join me on this mini adventure to some gorgeous views of Linville Falls. Get in touch if you would like to take a photo workshop/adventure, have questions about photo sessions, workshops, or ordering custom prints. Happy adventures!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Linville Falls Overlook Trail

It is such an honor to tell you about Mountaineer Motor Tours, a historical tour company where you get to ride in a 1923 Model T. Heath, the owner, tour guide, and driver has worked hard getting ready for tours in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Heath, his wife, Sara, and their border collie, Kira, are just the best. I am thankful for such wonderful friends and clients that bring me in on the most amazing projects. I am ecstatic to share some of the photos from our recent shoot capturing the inaugural tour. It has been so much fun working with them along the way!

Heath has such a passion for history, automobiles, and Asheville, this is a perfect way for him to share what he loves with his guests. His attention to detail and inspiration shows on all levels. This unique experience will leave you wanting to learn more about the area and likely wanting to take another tour.

From the Mountaineer Motor Tours website: “Heath Towson is an Asheville Native – born and raised in the “Land of the Sky.” Driven by a love for history of the city and automobiles, he decided to create Mountaineer Motor Tours. He wanted to share Asheville by touring folks around in a vehicle that truly evoked the Golden Age of Asheville – the 1920s. Heath believes in historic preservation and currently serves on the board of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. He also serves as a weekend docent at the Estes-Winn Car museum in Grovewood Village.”

This is the perfect opportunity to learn about Asheville history while riding in a 100 year old car. I linked the website below for more info and to schedule your tour.

Tour/Model T: Mountaineer Motor tours

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Grovewood Village and around Asheville, NC

I love getting to escape to the Blue Ridge Parkway and immerse in nature. If you have been following me for a while, you have probably seen ‘the Dragon Tree’ that I go visit any chance I get. This uniquely formed/shaped birch spurs lots of debate whether or not this tree is a native American marker tree. It was common for trees to be formed into unique shapes to indicate water sources, which is on the way to Skinny Dip Falls so it would make sense that it was used for that. There are many people that feel that this tree is not old enough to be an actual marker tree used by the tribes, but regardless, it is obvious that this uniquely shaped growth pattern was not by happenstance. If you want to go see the dragon, hit the Blue Ridge Parkway and go to mile marker 417, park at the Looking Glass Rock overlook, and take the trail across the road for a few hundred yards and you will see it.

Several miles up the road from there is Graveyard Fields, one of my favorite places to visit along the parkway, especially in fall. The views along the parkway are ever changing and never cease to amaze me, resetting my soul every single time. The fall colors are just starting to show, inspiring me to need to return soon. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk as there is a lot of life thriving in this special place. We happened to see a native brown snake (Storeria dekayi) with the most beautiful scale pattern along the trail. As far as venomous snakes in the area, copperheads and timber rattlers are native in the mountains of NC, so be sure to pay attention where you step on your adventures. If you visit, please know that tropical storm Fred caused all kinds of damage, the most obvious here being the footbridge over the lower falls has been shifted – it is still stable but worth being extra careful. There are lots of stairs on this trek if going to the lower falls. The forest service has done an amazing job working to preserve the delicate ecosystem by building walkways and steps throughout this spectacular area.

If you get a chance to visit the area, I definitely suggest visiting both of these spots near Brevard, North Carolina. Please remember to leave no trace when you adventure so we can all work together to conserve and preserve these lands for generations to come.

I hope you enjoy getting to vicariously join me on this fun little photo adventure! Happy fall!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard, NC

I have had Panthertown Valley on my must visit list for a long time now. So glad that I was able to take a day trip with my adventure-loving mountain dogs a few weeks ago before tropical storm Fred moved through. If visiting the area and planning adventures, please check for current updates to save yourself ending up in a dangerous situation. With it being a new place to explore, the dogs were super excited about all the smells, and knowing weather was going to move in later in the day, I was not able to photograph as much as usual but am ecstatic to share some moments from this fun hike. Totally worth it as I love my dogs so much – they are the best trail pups ever and are the sweetest best friends. So glad that I can share these mountain adventures with a pair that love it so!

Panthertown is a 6,311-acre backcountry area and bear sanctuary. We didn’t see any bear this time… There are 30 miles of public trails in this special place in the Nantahala National Forest in Western North Carolina. The valley is located on the Eastern Continental Divide, between the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This trip was the first of many visits to come. Reading about the area, I want to see so much more! The dogs and I took the main trail with the main goal being an easy trek to Granny Burrell Falls, but after missing a turn and going further than expected, we were treated to so many different trails and views along the way. The next adventure, we will have to visit Wilderness and Frolictown falls – or the loop to hit Schoolhouse, Pothole and Mac’s falls – so many choices in this natural wilderness area. Cannot wait to get to go back soon!

If you are going to visit, keep in mind that there is little cell service, so download maps and be prepared. If camping, bear canisters are required as it is a bear sanctuary area.

On the way home, I passed a sign for Judaculla Rock, a sandstone boulder with around 1,500 petroglyphs carved into it by the Cherokee. I have wanted to see this historical artifact since I heard it existed, and took that turn onto Judaculla Rock Road. I am so thankful I had the opportunity on this adventure. Petroglyphs are carvings that often symbolize important events or stories, and this rock is full of historical records and Cherokee legend. In legend, Judaculla was a slant-eyed giant that lived in the Balsam Mountains with their ‘judgement seat’ being at Devil’s Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This rock has carvings 1,500 years old on it and was a sight to behold. Jackson County has built a boardwalk around it to keep visitors from climbing on the rock. Please be respectful if you visit and do not climb on the rock but definitely go see it as the carvings are eroding over time.

I hope you enjoy getting to see a bit of our adventure!

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Panthertown Valley

Juduculla Rock