The Smokies are known for their atmospheric depth, and mornings like this reveal exactly why—every ridge becomes a soft gradient of color and shadow, creating a view that feels both peaceful and timeless.

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Captured from an overlook along the Foothills Parkway in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this sunrise began long before the first light appeared. I arrived while the sky was still dark, photographing the moon and waiting in the cool stillness as the mountains slowly woke.

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When the sun finally crested the distant peaks, it rose gently over the valley, casting its first light across Happy Valley. Layers of ridgelines and rolling foothills began to glow, each one catching the morning haze in a slightly different way. The sky unfolded into deep oranges and golds as warm light poured over the eastern ridges.

Currently available as a limited release only during the Autumn Light Collection release.

©2025 by James Boyd