About the Asheville Region -

The city of Asheville lies nestled in the midst of western North Carolina’s mountains. Both a population and geographic center, Asheville provides a base for the enjoyment and exploration of the area’s wonders.

It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the Asheville chapter of CNPA boasts its largest number of members. Photographers of all demographics and skill levels have joined the group to share their enjoyment of the surroundings and their photographic interpretation of the same.

The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through Asheville on its 470-mile journey from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Pisgah National Forest’s four districts surround Asheville, offering a wealth of features. Within proximity of Asheville lies mountains, rivers, lakes, canyons, waterfalls, and numerous other opportunities for natural observation, discovery, and photography.

Our Regional Goal: To develop a community which will preserve, celebrate and create a sense of appreciation about the beauty of nature through photography.

We achieve our goal by having regular sunset shoots, scheduling regular field trips and outings, sharing our ideas and images within the group and soliciting feedback.

Regional Activities & Events

Monthly Meetings - The club hosts a meeting every month featuring professional photographers who share their photographic knowledge and/or member "Show & Tell" presentations, both of which are packed with information. Our monthly meetings are held at the Girl Scouts Facility in north Asheville. Click here for directions.
Member Image Critique - Our monthly meetings feature image critique sessions where members are invited to submit up to 3 images and have their work critiqued by peers.
Field Trips & Outings - Join our experienced field trip leaders & other member photographers with intimate knowledge of Asheville and its surrounding areas for a fun filled morning/afternoon or entire day of photography!! An excellent opportunity to make new friends, learn from the pros and just have plain FUN!! Check out the "Regional Events Calendar" for details regarding the date/time/location for field trips.
Sunset Photo Opportunities - Just show up at the location, point your cameras west and shoot those gorgeous sunsets! Engage in camaraderie with fellow photographers, make new friends, learn new techniques. Our sunset opportunities are usually scheduled for the first Sunday of every month. Be sure to check out the "Regional Events Calendar" for details regarding location and sunset timing.
Workshops - With a high concentration of accomplished photographers willing to share their knowledge and expertise with other members, workshops organized by the club are extremely popular and fill up quickly. Be sure to stay in tune with the 2009 workshop schedule by checking out our "Regional Events Calendar" for details.
Member Exhibits - If members were unable to showcase their talents in doing all the hard work to "just get the right shot" it would be doing injustice to their talent and effort. Our exhibit committee works hard to identify opportunities where members can showcase their talents. Check out the "Events" section of the region's website to participate in local juried and non-juried exhibits. For the most part, participation in these exhibits are restricted to members of our region.
Community Service Projects - As a photography club promoting nature photography exclusively, our group actively seeks projects to protect & preserve the natural treasures of this region. Some of our past projects have included cleaning up a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, while capturing the beauty of the summer wildflowers. Its a fun experience and a way to give back to the community we live in!