Hi there, my name is Lisa. I’m a landscape photographer from East Tennessee. I am proud to call the Great Smoky Mountains my home! I have always had a love for photography, even as a young teenager. I remember always having a compact point and shoot camera, I would take pictures of family during holidays, pets, friends and whatever else I could find! I began to really see the value in photography after becoming a mom. It was so important to me, (and still is) to document every moment I could with my kids. My journey into more advance photography began when I hired a professional portrait photographer to take family photos. The photos were so perfect, I remember wanting to purchase every picture he took! When my order was ready and I went to his studio to pick up my pictures, I was stunned at the price!! Don’t get me wrong, he was worth every penny and more, but I knew I couldn’t afford his services more than once a year or so. As a parent, I wanted new pictures of my kids once a week.. not once a year!! So I bought a camera, thinking it was that easy! I took thousands of photos with that camera before I was truly happy with the results. Once I mastered that camera, I bought a better camera, mastered that one and bought an even better camera… Over the years I ended up with, not only professional gear, but with children who were very tired of having their pictures taken! Although I still talked them into it often, I realized over time that if I wanted to continue to take photos, I needed new subjects!
That realization was the beginning of my landscape photography career. As a family, we have always loved the outdoors, and we are fortunate to live in an absolutely beautiful place! We would spend weekend after weekend hiking and exploring these mountains. I began noticing all the beauty around us and tried my hardest to take photos that expressed what I felt as well as what I saw! I drew inspiration, not only from the beauty that surrounded me, but from other talented photographers in my area. I would see a photo in a magazine or online and would dream of the day that I could accomplish such perfection. To this day, I don’t know if I will ever achieve perfection, but I am so happy with my work and I’m determined to continue to grow and learn as much as I can!
I am mostly self taught, but to be honest, I knew I needed some help to continue to move forward and get the results that I wanted. I began taking a few classes, online as well as through the University of Tennessee. I have also reached out to other local photographers for help and have always felt encouraged and welcomed.
After all these years, my love for photography have never diminished, not one bit. I often sit and look through album after album of photos I have taken. Photos of my kids, places we have been, people in my life, pets that have been family… I am forever thankful for every moment captured, for every memory… Thankful for all the people I have met along the way and friends I have made. My journey is far from over, I’m dedicated to, not only improving myself, but helping others who are interested in beginning their photography careers. I don’t know what the future holds, but with a camera in my hand.. and friends and family by my side.. I know it will be amazing!!
Thank you for being here,
Lisa M Green