CNPA upcoming events

High Country: Capturing Fall & Winter Landscapes with Lynn Willis (September 17, 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The High Country region is pleased to welcome acclaimed local photographer Lynn Willis as our guest presenter on Thursday, September 17 at 5pm at the Boone Public Library meeting room.

Lynn’s imagery has been published in calendars, books, catalogs, and websites, along with regional and national magazines. He has frequently been a finalist in the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition, notching multiple category wins over the years as well as the People’s Choice Award.

Lynn is the owner of High South Creative, a design and photography firm, and his portfolio includes a wide array of photos of adventure sports and mountain landscapes from the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, he formerly taught photography at App State University.

His personal projects include donating his images for environmental causes, land protection with conservancy groups, and the promotion of local trails, parks, and Greenways.

Don't miss this chance to hear from one of the High Country's most accomplished landscape photographers as we head into the fall and winter seasons! The presentation is open to all!

Boone library is located at 140 Queen Street. Parking is plentiful and free.

High Country: Elk in Cataloochee Valley (September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Join the High Country Region for an outing to photograph Elk in the Cataloochee Valley near Cherokee, NC. We will be visiting during the rut season when antlered bulls bugle and fight for domination and the right to breed with cows. We'll meet at 7am at the parking area near the Chapel.

You'll need to purchase a parking pass ($5/day) to display while in the park. You can buy one online or at the Cataloochee Valley Overlook or Oconaluftee Visitors Center. Click here for details.

Bring a long lens for closer views of the action (park regulations require keeping a distance of 50 yards of Elk). A second camera or wider lens is also recommended for capturing dramatic environmental images of the Elk in their surroundings.

We are grateful to High Country Region photographer Lisa Wilmoth for leading this outing!

Be advised that portions of the road leading to the Valley are unpaved and winding, so plan for some extra driving time for safety.

Here's a Google Map link showing the route from a waypoint near Waynesville.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQhWKUwv1zyRET7K7

For those wishing to stay overnight before and/or after the outing, Waynesville and Maggie Valley are good options.

Questions? Email high-country-coordinator@cnpa.org

Low Country: Al Heacox (September 21, 2026)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

CNPA Lowcountry In Person Meeting and Photo Critique September 21, 2026. See the June newsletter for details.

High Country: October Meeting (October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

High Country: Wild Ponies/Fall Color at Grayson Highlands (October 11, 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Join us for an afternoon & early evening shoot at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia (about 45 minutes from Jefferson, NC). The park is known for its scenic vistas, colorful fall displays and the many feral ponies that roam the ridges and trails.

Peak color is predicted for mid-month so the views should be impressive. We've chosen the later afternoon timeframe to take advantage of Golden Hour conditions starting around 6:20pm and sunset at 6:55pm.

The park entrance fee is $7. The gate is often unstaffed so please bring the exact amount in cash to place in the self-pay envelope when you arrive.

We'll meet up at the Massie Gap parking area at 3:45pm and hike the 1/3 mile Rhododendron Trail to the first viewpoint at 4:00pm. It's a well-maintained trail with a modest incline to the top (officially designated as moderate difficulty). Hopefully, we'll be greeted by ponies nearby when we arrive. There are several trails (varying difficulty) that branch off from this point for those who wish to explore further.

For anyone who is extra-ambitious, this particular night will offer one of the last good Milky Way photography opportunities of the year if the weather cooperates. The park features several expansive southern-facing viewpoints.

Please bring a flashlight and/or headlamp, just to be safe, for the return trip to the parking lot when you're done shooting.

A note about the ponies: Although they are "wild" they have become accustomed to people and may approach. Please try to keep a reasonable distance (150 feet by rule) and do not feed or pet them.

Convention - 2027 (February 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the 2027 CNPA Convention. The convention will begin Thursday, February 4 and continue through Sunday, February 7.

Note: Please be sure to check out the workshops offered on Thursday.

Please remember to register separately for workshops.

For details on Convention, click here.

Convention - 2027 (Complimentary) (February 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the 2027 CNPA Convention. The convention will begin Thursday, February 4 and continue through Sunday, February 7.

Note: Please be sure to check out the workshops offered on Thursday.

Please remember to register separately for workshops.

For details on Convention, click here.

Convention - 2027 (Early Bird) (February 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the 2027 CNPA Convention. The convention will begin Thursday, February 4 and continue through Sunday, February 7.

Notes:

1. This is a special early bird registration. If sold out, you must register at full price.

2. Please be sure to check out the workshops offered on Thursday.

Please remember to register separately for workshops.

For details on Convention, click here.

Convention - 2027 (Non-Member) (February 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the 2027 CNPA Convention. The convention will begin Thursday, February 4 and continue through Sunday, February 7.

Note: Please be sure to check out the workshops offered on Thursday.

Please remember to register separately for workshops.

For details on the Convention, click here.

Denise Ippolito's Blooming Ideas (February 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 13:00:00 GMT