CNPA upcoming events

Upstate: Upstate Outing - Cataloochee Valley (October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Cataloochee Valley Field Trip - This is the rutting season for Elk. The mature bulls may bugle to attract females or challenge other bulls.
There is also plenty to photograph besides the elk with historical buildings from the 1800's, landscapes and a cascading stream through the valley.
We will meet at 5.30 PM Friday In the parking area at Caldwell Place Parking Area. That's next to the old Hiram Caldwell Barn.

Physical Address - 3980 - 4084 Cataloochee Entrance Rd.

Map Coordinates. 35.6216, -83.1170

OTHER INFO: So, come to either one or both but Please Register. I plan to stay Friday night in Maggie Valley, which is about a One Hour drive to the site.

The road into Cataloochee Valley is a winding dirt road. If you want to ride share or offer a ride share then let me know. mikesmale@me.com or 864-907-3421

We can then meet at the parking lot by the entrance to the

Travelowes Motel, 3194 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751

NOTE: A Great Smoky Mountain Park parking pass is required for each vehicle ($5 Daily) or ($40 yearly). You can obtain online at www.nps.gov or from the automated kiosk on entering the park. If you have a State issued Disability Placard or License Plate you do NOT need a Parking Pass

Note - this is open to non-CNPA Members as well. If you know of any fellow photographers, regardless of their involvement in CNPA, feel free to invite them to attend.

Upstate: Cataloochee Valley - Saturday Morning (October 03, 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Cataloochee Valley Field Trip - This is the rutting season for Elk. The mature bulls may bugle to attract females or challenge other bulls.
There is also plenty to photograph besides the elk with historical buildings from the 1800's, landscapes and a cascading stream through the valley.
We will meet at 7.00 AM Saturday In the parking area at Caldwell Place Parking Area. That's next to the old Hiram Caldwell Barn.

Physical Address - 3980 - 4084 Cataloochee Entrance Rd.

Map Coordinates. 35.6216, -83.1170

OTHER INFO: So, come to either one or both but Please Register. I plan to stay Friday night in Maggie Valley, which is about a One Hour drive to the site.

The road into Cataloochee Valley is a winding dirt road. If you want to ride share or offer a ride share then let me know. mikesmale@me.com or 864-907-3421

We can then meet at the parking lot by the entrance to the

Travelowes Motel, 3194 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751

NOTE: A Great Smoky Mountain Park parking pass is required for each vehicle ($5 Daily) or ($40 yearly). You can obtain online at www.nps.gov or from the automated kiosk on entering the park. If you have a State issued Disability Placard or License Plate you do NOT need a Parking Pass

Note - this is open to non-CNPA Members as well. If you know of any fellow photographers, regardless of their involvement in CNPA, feel free to invite them to attend.

Upstate: Riverbanks Zoo Garden (October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:45:00 GMT

The upstate region will be coordinating an outing to the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden on Friday October 9, 2026. Tickets for entry and parking are available on-line at a discount or they can be purchased on-site.

We plan to meet by the ZOO Main entrance at 8:45 am. Information regarding tickets, parking and directions is available at https://www.riverbanks.org.

500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia SC 29210 803.779.8717

The park(s) are open 9am to 5pm. A reminder will be sent several days ahead of time. Please let us know if you plan to attend. We have had many request for this venue so we're hoping at least 5 members will participate in this event.

High Country: October Meeting (October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

High Country: Wild Ponies 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 we'll be hoping for some pop in the background. 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.

Upstate: CNPA Special Event Nut House Clemson SC (October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Nut House - 211 Blue Ridge Drive, Clemson
Friday 10/16/26 8am-12pm
Questions? Email Lou Aiello - lou.aiello@icloud.com

Myrtle Beach: Silvana Della Camera (October 19, 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Zoom presentation sponsored by Hunt's Photo and Video: Silvana Della Camera: ICM, more than just pretty pictures.
Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/81665678345
Meeting ID: 816 6567 8345
Passcode: 146039

Low Country: Al Heacox (October 19, 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Jim Smith will be presenting on Street Photography.

High Country: Blue Ridge Fall Color Outing (October 26, 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Fall colors are predicted to be at their peak in the High Country the week of October 23-29. We'll head out to some of the best overlooks and other scenic spots to capture the vibrant season at, hopefully, the top of its form.

We're hosting this outing on a Monday in an attempt to avoid (as much as possible) the traffic and large crowds that can overwhelm the area on the weekends.

We'll be centered in the Boone/Blowing Rock vicinity, but specific shooting locations will be determined and shared as we get closer to the outing date, based on color reports from reliable sources. Keep an eye on your email for updates the week prior.

You'll need a wide angle lens for landscapes along with a longer focal length option for more close-up scenes. A circular polarizing filter is highly recommended to capture the most striking colors and a tripod will allow you to achieve rock-steady shots. If you have ND filters, they can help you achieve beautiful water reflections and shots with creative movement.

This outing is open to all. Hope you'll join us!

Low Country: Al Heacox (November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Presentations of Summer Assignment. See newsletter for details.

High Country: November Meeting (November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

High Country: December Meeting (December 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

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 (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 Bloomin' Ideas (February 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 13:00:00 GMT