Follow my most recent adventures on Instagram…

A Postcard from Fall 📸 There’s something so calming about a waterfall adventure in the fall —soft cascades, crisp leaves, and the kind of peace that stays with you long after you leave. Tom Branch Falls in Bryson City showed off this season with the warm colors of Autumn framing the cascades. ⸻ 10-25-25 #waterfallwednesday #waterfallsofnc #waterfalls_collective #waterfallkeepersofnc #brysoncity #greatsmokymountains #greatsmokies #tombranchfalls #deepcreek #northcarolinaphotographer #ncwaterfalls #nclandscapes #visitnc #fallintherockies #fallcolors🍁 #autumnvibes🍂 #waterfallchasing #blueridgeoutdoors #naturephotomagazine #ig_landscape #ig_naturelovers #travelnorthcarolina #explorecarolina #momentsbystephanie #fallphotography #americansouth #southernlandscapes #visitsmokies #visitnc #ncweekend #ourstatemag
🔥 Sky on Fire | Waterrock Knob I wasn’t expecting much when I pulled up to Waterrock Knob that cold morning—just hoping for a little color and some quiet mountain air. Instead, the whole sky exploded lit up in a way I’ll never forget. The mountains were still quiet with the fading rusty hues of Autumn but the sky had other plans—bursting into color and throwing a perfect starburst across the ridges. Another “Moment” that will be forever burned into my memory 🥰 #SkyOnFire #WaterrockKnob #BlueRidgeParkway #BlueRidgeSunrise #NCmountains #NorthCarolinaPhotography #SunriseGlow #MountainMagic #LandscapePhotographer #NatureBrilliance #MomentsByStephanie #InstaSunrise #StarburstSunrise #AshevilleArea #ChasingLight #MountainScenery #ourstate #ourstatemag #romanticasheville #sunriseoftheday #goodmorningsunshine☀️ #blueridgemountains #blueridgemoments #onlyinnorthcarolina #goldenhourmagic #worththeeffort #visitnc #ncweekend #carolinaonmymind #scenicnc
There are sunrises… and then there are moments like this. 🌟 Viewed from Pisgah Inn, the first light sunrise slipped between the forked trunk creating a starburst that felt like the mountains’ quiet way of saying good morning. One of those mornings that reminds me why I chase the light in the first place. . . 10-23-25 . . #momentsbystephanie #BlueRidgeParkway #PisgahInn #BlueRidgeMountains #NorthCarolinaMountains #NCSunrise #WesternNC #WNCPhotographer #ncphotographer #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography #SunrisePhotography #ChasingLight #GoldenHourMagic #StarburstSun #MountainMagic #ExploreNC #VisitNC #NCWeekend #SeeNC #OnlyInNorthCarolina #CarolinaMountains #EarthVisuals #EarthShotz #OurPlanetDaily #EarthMood #MountainViews #NatureLovers
THANK YOU to our VETERANS ❤️ We are AMERICA the FREE, because of the BRAVE 🇺🇸 The first light of day catches the American flag, glowing with the same quiet strength it represents. Captured high in the mountains of North Carolina, this moment is a simple reflection of gratitude—for the veterans whose courage and sacrifice allow us to experience freedom in this beautiful place we call home. #momentsbystephanie #VeteransDay #throughthelens #americanflag #morninglight #naturephotography #mountainview #freedomandhonor #thankyouveterans #patrioticperspective #americathebeautiful🇺🇸 #becauseofthebrave #letfreedomring #neverforget #allgavesome #somegaveall #ncmountains #wncstrong #pisgahnationalforest #pisgahinn #ourstatemagazine #ourstate #discover_carolinas #wncmagazine #blueridgemoments #blueridgeparkway #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemountainlife #patrioticvibes #redwhiteblue
Oconaluftee evenings where the elk are the stars of the show….it’s something special you must experience for yourself someday! These two big bulls put on a pretty nice display for the crowds of people lining the road to get a glimpse. I must have taken a thousand images during my brief stop. Every move, and every bugle, captivated me! I don’t think I could have posed them better than this if I would have tried…thankful nature decided to cooperate with the photographer this time 📸❤️ . . 10-23-25 (Respectfully photographed from a safe distance) . . #momentsbystephanie #elk #elkrut #oconalufteevisitorcenter #oconaluftee #gsmnp #greatsmokymountains #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark #fallseason #cherokee #maggievalley #brysoncity #northcarolina #ncweekend #explorenorthcarolina #ourstate #wncmagazine #wncmountains #naturelover #naturephotography #chasingfallcolors #fallfoliage🍁 #ncstateparks #visitnc #bestoftheglobe_nature #explorenorthcarolina #greatsmokynps #onlyinnorthcarolina #natureatitsbest #natureisbeautiful
An Autumn Skyline 🍁 Captured from nearly 20 miles away, this view of Charlotte’s Queen City skyline felt like a moment suspended between seasons. The crisp fall colors stretched for miles, leading the eye straight to the city as it rose through the subtle haze of the afternoon. An incoming flight added a special touch to the frame…zoom in to see. ✈️ There’s something peaceful about seeing a bustling city softened by autumn’s warmth — the urban life framed by Fall. Would love to see this one find a home in a regional or travel publication one day. ✨ 11-5-25 (Photographed from Gastonia, NC) #momentsbystephanie #ourstatemag #CharlotteNC #CharlotteNorthCarolina #QueenCity #CLT #CLTphotography #VisitNC #NorthCarolinaFall #NCFall #FallInNC #CarolinaFall #CLTviews #CharlotteSkyline #ExploreCLT #autumnvibes🍁 #LandscapePhotography #CityscapePhotography #SkylinePhotography #FallPhotography #AutumnColors #NatureMeetsCity #UrbanNature #MoodyGrams #NatGeoTravel #TravelAndLeisure #MyTravelGram #IGNorthCarolina #qcexclusive
📸 “A Luftee Goldrush” The morning light poured across the Smoky Mountains like liquid gold, transforming every ridge into something timeless. At Luftee Overlook near Cherokee, North Carolina, I watched as the warm sun peaked over the horizon , revealing soft layers of color and form — a quiet goldrush that lasted only moments. This image was captured during peak autumn color, when the low sun illuminated the valley in tones that felt almost tangible. This image aims to reflect the harmony between light and landscape — the kind that defines sunrise in the high country and reminds me why I chase the glow. . 10-24-25 . #greatsmokymountains #blueridgemountains #lufteeoverlook #cherokeenc #smokymountains #goldenhourlight #sunrisemagic #fineartlandscape #landscapephotography #naturephotography #outdoorphotographer #mountainlayers #goldenhourglow #ourplanetdaily #earthvisuals #discoverearth #visitnc #wncphotographer #momentsbystephanie #naturebrilliance #americanlandscape #artofvisuals #ncmountains #southernliving #explorenorthcarolina #ourstatemag #wncmagazine #blueridgemoments #blueridgeoutdoors #firstlight
Beacon in the Night 🌌 It was freezing cold and the hike up wasn’t easy, but the views made every step worth it. By pure coincidence, I crossed paths with a group of photographers from Jacksonville, FL, led by Jonathan Lee (@jwleemedia ) We ended up working together for a while, capturing the night sky from Clingmans Dome. Using a bit of light painting, I was able to make the dome glow like a beacon in the night — and I love how their silhouettes stand out against the stars. Moments like this remind me why I love photography so much — the adventure, the creativity, and the connections you never plan but always remember. . 10-23-25 . #momentsbystephanie #kuwohi #ClingmansDome #GreatSmokyMountains #NightPhotography #LightPainting #AstroPhotography #LandscapePhotography #SmokyMountains #PhotographersOfInstagram #BeaconInTheNight #StarryNight