Autumn Gold by Stewart Woodard
This year’s GNPA Smokies Weekend brought more than 80 photographers to Townsend, TN, for three days of learning, exploration, and fall color. We opened with steady rain and a sharp cold snap, but by Friday afternoon the skies cleared, and the hills finally delivered the autumn tones we hope for every year.
Highlights included Thursday night’s dinner and introductions, plus morning and afternoon outings across classic Smokies locations such as Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap Road, and historic mill and cabin areas. Workshops and Snap Sessions on creative techniques, macro, wildlife, and long exposure gave photographers focused instruction they could immediately apply in the field.
Thank you (!) to our Trip Leaders, volunteers, and all who braved the weather and made this year a success. And if you are already thinking about next year, we’re excited to announce that GNPA Smokies Weekend 2026 will take place October 22–October 25, 2026.
Contest Winners
This year’s Smokies Photo Contest included seven categories spotlighting the workshops and topics from this year’s program. Category winners included First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention with cash prizes going to First, Second and Third place winners. Many thanks to our judge, Thomas Yackley. With 300 images to review, he had his work cut out for him!
The Best in Show this year goes to Stewart Woodard for Autumn Gold. Congratulations to all the winners! Check out the gallery of winning images on gnpa.org and see below for the full list.
Category – Water in Motion:
- First: Autumn Gold, Stewart Woodard – Best in Show!
- Second: River Runs Through, Chris Dahl
- Third: Rushing Waters, Jo Hancock
- Honorable Mention 1: A Wider Flow, Danielle Cox
- Honorable Mention2: Rushing Stream, Sarita Yeola
Category – Historic & Rustic Structures:
- First: Bridge over Rippling Waters, Cindy Crews
- Second: When’s Recess?, Cindy Crews
- Third: Bud Ogle’s Barn, Rob Keeney
- Honorable Mention: Textures on the Wheel, Suresh Yeola
Category – Fall Color & Smoky Landscapes:
- First: Fire in the Sky, Chris Dahl
- Second: Quiet Morning, Stanley Gillcash
- Third: Sherbet Skies, Jo Hancock
- Honorable Mention 1: Cloud Covered Valley, Sarita Yeola
- Honorable Mention 2: Rich Palette, Danielle Cox
Category – Patterns, Textures & Tiny Scenes
- First: Snuggle Bunnies, Sam Crews
- Second: Chlorophyll Highway, Stanley Gillcash
- Third: Burlap Shade, Janet Newton
- Honorable Mention 1: World in a Drop, David Foster
- Honorable Mention 2: Fall Floats, Chris Dahl
Category – Lights & Shadow:
- First: Moving Water, Jack Watts
- Second: Outpost in the Mist, Nicolette Dunn
- Third: Cloudy Mountain Top, Suresh Yeola
- Honorable Mention 1: New Paths, Rajiv Bendale
- Honorable Mention 2: Solitary, Shari Garnsey
Category – Creative Vision:
- First: Fire Fall, Nicolette Dunn
- Second: Bursting with Light, Dee Dee Brown
- Third: Rainlight, Shari Garnsey
- Honorable Mention: Autumn Ignited, Shari Garnsey
Category – Wildlife of the Smokies:
- First: Crow in the Cove, Janet Newton
- Second: Peek-a-Boo, Cindy Crews
- Third: Call me Maybe, Nicki Mitchell
- Honorable Mention 1: Frosty, Jamie Anderson
- Honorable Mention 2: Bugling Bull, Sarita Yeola