Aquariums
Let’s Dive In!
Some people go to theme parks for the rides. Others go for the food. We go for the photographs!
Between the gardens, architecture, colors, and little details, a theme park can be a surprisingly fun place to spend the day creating something new with your smartphone camera.
Hello DollyWood!
Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains!
Few people have inspired the world quite like Dolly Parton. Through her music, generosity, kindness, and commitment to helping children learn to read, she has touched millions of lives. She reminds us that success is about more than accomplishments—it's about lifting others up, sharing joy, and making the world a better place. Her talent is remarkable, but her heart may be even more extraordinary and you can feel that love infused in the Dollywood experience. We really wanted to capture her story beautifully in photographs.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Dollywood, is nestled in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. With stunning gardens, incredible scenery, and seasonal displays that change throughout the year, this experience offers photographic opportunities that rival any destination theme park. We were amazed by the beauty around every corner!
Virtually all the images on this page were captured on our Smart Phone without any software enhancements needed. There are a few exceptions. As you explore, you will notice we marked the few photographs that were changed, explaining what we did an why.
Showstreet & Umbrella Sky
Let’s start at the beginning!
The rainbow-hued overhead canopy known as Umbrella Sky welcomes guests along Dollywood's main entrance street, Showstreet. For this image above, we focused on the simple beauty of repeating patterns and vibrant colors—but don't stop there. After capturing the obvious shot, look for new angles and details that help you create something uniquely your own.
This was the perfect place to experiment with panoramic photography. For the first image above, we created a traditional horizontal panorama by standing to the side and panning left to right across the scene, capturing the length of the umbrella canopy.
For the second image above, we used a vertical panorama in a completely different way. Standing directly beneath the umbrellas, we leaned back and slowly panned from front to back, creating an image that emphasizes the height, shape, and flow of the display overhead. The same subject produced two entirely different photographs simply by changing the direction of the panorama. We also used the buildings and trees deliberately to frame the umbrellas.
In this image above, we wanted to capture both the vibrant atmosphere of Showstreet and the colorful Umbrella Sky overhead. By choosing an angle that included the umbrella topiary and buildings along with the canopy above, we created a photograph that helps tell the story of the entire scene and lets you appreciate just how beautiful this unique area of Dollywood really is.
Don't feel limited to photographing signs straight on. Experiment with different angles, backgrounds, and compositions, as shown above, to incorporate the sign into the scene and create a more interesting image that better captures the spirit of the location.
“ The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
Spectacular Gardens
One of the most incredible features of Dollywood is its gardens and topiaries—living sculptures created from plants and flowers that take the shape of animals, butterflies, and whimsical scenes. As you walk through the park, it feels as though the gardens have come alive, transforming ordinary landscapes into works of art.
In this image above, we stepped back to capture the entire scene, including the flower-filled topiary, gardens, and pathways. And here's a fun surprise—we didn't even notice the playful bear in the tree on the right side until we reviewed the photograph later! Sometimes the camera reveals details we miss in the moment.
For these images above, we zoomed in to highlight the relationship between the mama bear and her cub. It's a great example of how you can create completely different photographs using the same scene. All of these bear family images were taken with a standard lens—the only difference was whether we zoomed in to focus on a detail or zoomed out to capture the entire garden.
A few close-up photographs helped us better understand and remember how these amazing topiaries were created. By studying the individual flowers, leaves, and textures, we gained a greater appreciation for the artistry and planning that goes into transforming ordinary plants into living works of art.
Garden Panoramics
This playful raccoon comes to life through its interaction with the tree. The image on the left was taken with a standard lens, while the image on the right uses a vertical panorama to capture more of the tree's height and the colorful flowers below. Sometimes a simple change in technique can completely transform the way a scene is experienced.
The key is to photograph subjects from multiple angles and perspectives. The close-up image allows you to appreciate the artistry and details of the topiary, while the wider view shows how it fits into the surrounding garden and how all the elements work together to create a beautiful scene.
It's always best to wait for people to walk out of your shot if possible. However, with these two displays, finding the right angle was already a challenge, and there were simply too many people passing through the scene. We photographed the displays from the angles that showed them in their very best light then used software for a little help. A quick request to "remove the people in the background," and just like that, they were gone! While we always prefer to get the image right in-camera, tools like this can be incredibly helpful when a busy location makes a clean shot almost impossible.
“I have little feet because nothing grows in the shade.”
Capturing Rides
Theme parks are full of color, and this image above was one of our favorite images of the day. By capturing the ride in motion and cropping tightly around the patterns and shapes, we created an image that almost feels like a painting. We also waited until the seats in our frame were empty, eliminating distractions and allowing the design itself to become the star of the photograph. (Note that any “object eraser” software would not have worked well here to remove the people as the background was so complex!)
Easy Object Erase
Object Eraser works best when the background is relatively simple. In the image on the left, people are visible in several of the seats. In the image on the right, Object Eraser was able to remove them successfully because the background consisted mostly of trees and greenery, making it easier for the software to fill in the missing areas naturally.
With the riders removed, the photograph becomes much more striking, allowing your eye to focus on the beautiful colors, patterns, and motion of the ride itself. You can use the Object Erase feature on your phone or on an App. As an alternative, ChatGPT does an amazing job with object removal, especially when there are multiple people or distractions in a scene. In many cases, all you need is a simple prompt such as, "remove the people from the seats," and ChatGPT can create a much cleaner image in seconds. There is no need to circle anything, CHAT will likely recognize the distractions. Many other software systems may work similarly, so if you are having trouble handling the task object by object, try another option.
“ You’ll never do a whole lot unless you are brave enough to try.”
Capturing The Stories
The Coat of Many Colors display beautifully captures Dolly Parton's childhood memories and the story behind one of her most beloved songs. Taking a moment to photograph the coat with no glare on the glass helped us connect to this important piece of her history.
“Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be in my coat of many colors my mama made for me.”
Getting Creative
Silhouettes can create unexpected and dramatic views of familiar subjects. In this image, we used the sun and bright blue sky to turn the ride into a striking silhouette, emphasizing its shapes and patterns rather than its colors. Even though this photograph was taken with a standard lens, the final result feels artistic, unique, and very different from a typical theme park photo.
Before & After Effects
Enhancements, used in moderation, are fun! The train photo on the left is the image exactly as it was captured. The train wasn't moving, there was no smoke, and it was a perfectly nice photograph. But sometimes we want a little more drama and personality. So we asked our software to add a smoky effect and give the image a more nostalgic, storybook feel. If we were creating an album, wall art, or a social media post, this version better captures the mood we imagined. (We used CHATGPT in this case but other software systems may be used as well. )
Photography doesn't always have to document reality exactly as it was. Sometimes it's fun to add a little creative flair and make the image your own.
“A mind full of possibilities is a mind free to dream”
The Food
The opportunities for amazing food photography are everywhere! This sweet cupcake was photographed through glass by placing the smartphone camera directly against the display case to eliminate reflections and flare. We also used Close-Up (Macro) Mode to capture the delicious details, textures, and colors that make food photography so appealing.
It may not be the prettiest dessert in the park, but it sure is the star of the show! We used Close-Up mode to highlight the texture and cinnamon swirls on Dolly Parton's famous cinnamon bread. Doesn't it make you want to reach right into the picture and take a bite?
“I never met a carbohydrate I didn’t like”
Inspiration
By pressing the smartphone camera directly against the glass and using careful cropping, we were able to eliminate distractions and let the guitar — and the story behind it — truly shine.
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
Behind the Seams
The Behind the Seams exhibit showcases some of Dolly Parton's most memorable fashions.
To photograph these displays, we pressed our smartphone camera directly against the glass to eliminate reflections and flare, then zoomed in on the details that caught our eye. Sometimes a close-up of the textures, stitching, and embellishments tells a more interesting story than the entire garment.
“ It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.”
Enhancements Before & After
Simple enhancements can be done in many software systems. We wanted the butterfly above to be 100% perfect, the sky wasn't quite as blue as we would have liked especially given the fact that the low angle accentuated the weather, the image was a little too dark and the yellow sign was a distraction. As a result, we edited the image, removing the sign, creating a bluer sky and adding brightness. Whenever possible, though, we try to plan our photography around the weather, capturing our most important scenic images when the forecast promises the bluest skies of the day.
Please note that virtually all the images on this page were captured on our Smart Phone without any enhancements needed.
“I look totally artificial but I am totally real, as a writer, as a professional, as a human being.””
Hotel Interiors
The photo fun doesn't stop in the theme park! Be sure to explore the beautiful resorts, unique shops, and wonderful restaurants throughout Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. From charming details to world-class entertainment, the entire experience is thoughtfully designed and full of surprises. Check out the guitar chandelier - so cool!
“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb...
and I also know that I’m not blonde.”
Tips for Taking Amazing Photos at Theme Parks with Your Smartphone
🕒 Arrive Early
Arriving early isn't just great for avoiding lines — it's also one of the easiest ways to get cleaner photographs with fewer people in the background. While Object Eraser can help, less crowding is always better!
📱 Try Different Lenses & Modes
Don't rely on just one camera setting. Experiment with wide-angle, zoom, portrait mode, panoramas, and close-up photography to create a variety of images.
🌈 Get Creative with Panoramas
Panoramas aren't just for landscapes! Try moving your phone in unusual ways to create artistic images that stretch, bend, or transform a scene.
🔍 Look for the Details
Sometimes the most interesting photograph isn't the whole subject—it's a small detail, texture, pattern, or color that others might miss.
🪟 Photograph Through Glass Like a Pro
Press your smartphone directly against glass cases, aquarium windows, or exhibit displays to eliminate reflections and flare.
🍦 Capture the Food
Food is part of the story. Look for interesting light, colorful presentations, and angles that make the dish look as delicious as it tastes.
👀 Watch Your Backgrounds
Before taking the picture, check what's behind your subject. A clean background often creates a stronger image.
🌅 Look for Blue Skies
When possible, schedule your most important photographs for times when the sky is bright blue. A beautiful sky can instantly elevate an image.
🌄 Create Silhouettes
Place your subject in front of a bright sky, sunset, or illuminated background for dramatic and artistic results.
✨ Use Object Eraser
A few distracting people can change an image completely. Remove unwanted visitors to create cleaner, more striking photographs.
🎢 Use Burst Mode for Action
Whether you're photographing a roller coaster, a parade, wildlife, or kids having fun, Burst Mode helps capture the perfect moment.
👨👩👧👦 Take Family Photos Early
Plan your family portraits early in the day before everyone is hot, sweaty, tired, or carrying souvenirs. You'll usually get your best smiles and your best photos.
👕 Dress for the Scene
For family photos, choose clothing that complements the location. Soft blues, whites, greens, and other simple colors photograph beautifully. Avoid large logos, busy patterns, bright yellows, and excessive black whenever possible.
🎭 Tell the Whole Story
Take a mix of wide shots, close-ups, food photos, details, and candid moments. Together they create a richer memory of your day.
💡 Use Your Imagination
The best photographs often happen when you stop taking the obvious picture and start looking for something unexpected.
“If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.”