Your Tennessee photography will define “country” in two ways that are closely interconnected. There is the beautiful Tennessee countryside of river valleys and mountains. Those backwoods settings and lifestyle inspired local musicians to create traditional country music, which has been developed into a modern musical culture by “them Nashville cats.”
If you and your family are country music fans, then you know you’re headed to Nashville, Music City USA, to capture all the fun of your visit in Tennessee photography. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Belcourt Theatre, Ryman Auditorium, the original site of the Grand Ole Opry, and the newer Grand Ole Opry House are the obvious attractions. You can also tour the downtown area, known as “The District,” where you may catch the unknown musical acts that will become future country music stars. It’s a great atmosphere for taking Tennessee photography of all the excitement.
Memphis is the other destination for your Tennessee photography of musical history. Here, the blues were born on Beale Street, which is now an historic district of nightclubs. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music celebrates the musicians and special soulful sound of Stax Records. Of course, Memphis is forever the home of the King, Elvis Presley. Your visit to Graceland and Sun Studios where Elvis recorded his first songs will be some of the greatest “hits” in your Tennessee photography album. Memphis is located on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, which provides many high points to photograph the mighty river and valley landscape.
Tennessee photography deserves to include pictures of your visits to famous Civil War battlefield sites: Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Stones River, Chickamauga and many others. An excellent way to discover all this history and share it with your children is to follow The Civil War Trails, which are specially marked driving tours. Learn about the early history of Tennessee with a visit to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park in Eastern Tennessee, where the life of this great American frontiersman who died at The Alamo is honored. During your Tennessee photography visit to Nashville, take a short drive to The Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson.
Now that your Tennessee photography has covered the state’s unique cities, the music scene and the Volunteer State’s deep history, it’s time to head into that Tennessee countryside. Although all of Tennessee is blessed with natural beauty, for many the eastern mountains, especially the Great Smoky Mountains, contain the primary attractions.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a spectacular setting for your outdoor Tennessee photography. Truly a bit of heaven on earth, the park and the entire region offer hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail, cavern exploring, relaxing and wild river adventures and a camping experience like no other. When your family and kids want a break from the outdoors, you can remain in the Smokies and visit Dollywood, The Smoky Mountain Family Adventure. Country music legend, Dolly Parton, has created an amazing amusement park as well as a mountain home experience for your family’s Tennessee photography memories.
