Marking the Yes checkbox on the Registration Form that you have agreed to the Acknowledgment of Risks and Terms & Conditions contained in this document will serve as a signature.
Terms, Conditions, & Acknowledgment of Risk
In consideration of the services of, f/32 Photo, LLC, their officers, agents, employees, and all other entities associated with those businesses hereinafter collectively referred to as “f/32 Photo”, I agree as follows:
Although f/32 Photo has taken reasonable steps to provide me with appropriate equipment and skilled guides so I can enjoy an activity for which I may not be skilled, f/32 Photo has informed me that this activity is not without risk. Certain risks are inherent in each activity and cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the activity. These inherent risks are some of the same elements that contribute to the unique character of the activity and can be the cause of loss or damage to my equipment, or accidental injury, illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma death. f/32 Photo does not want to frighten me or reduce my enthusiasm for this activity, but believes it is important for me to know in advance what to expect and to be informed of the inherent risks. The following describes some, but not all, of those risks.
(Description of some, but not all, risks): There is a possibility of an accident or illness occurring in remote places and that food related illnesses could occur without access to immediate or timely medical treatment or facilities. There is a possibility for personal injury or property damage by wildlife or forces of nature during the workshop or while traveling to and from during the workshop by bus, train, airplane, or other vehicles.
I am aware that the Wildlife & Waterfalls Workshop, produced by f/32 Photo, entails risks of injury or death to any participant. I understand the description of these inherent risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated inherent risks may result in injury or death. I agree to assume and accept full responsibility for the inherent risks identified herein and those inherent risks not specifically identified. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, no one is forcing me to participate, and I elect to participate in spite of and with full knowledge of the inherent risks.
I acknowledge that engaging in this activity may require a degree of skill and knowledge different than other activities and that I have responsibilities as a participant. I acknowledge that the staff of f/32 Photo has been available to fully explain to me the nature and physical demands of this activity and the inherent risks, hazards, and dangers associated with this activity.
About Our Instructors
Ken Jenkins
I grew up in Newport, Tennessee, a small town at the foothills to the Great Smoky Mountains. I spent my early years around folks that care about each other, work very hard, and encourage each other…people that love their country, trust in God, and want for very little.
My outdoor interests were keen as far back as I can remember. My mother and father and brother camped and hiked in the mountains all my young life. As I look back to those years, I can clearly see that my early locations, associations, and vocations all led to this great pursuit of photographing wildlife and everything else that nature presents. I had a camera as early as 12 years of age and began to get real serious about my photography in my early twenties. After all of these years, I still get just as excited when I am watching a bear or a beaver as I did when I was young. My first book (if you could call 28 pages of text and photos a book) came out in 1983. It was titled “A Walk With the Smoky Mountain Bears”. Soon to follow was “Bathed In Glory” a photo essay book on the Cades Cove region of the Smokies. Later on, I wrote a series of wildlife books called “The Wilderness World of…Baby Bears”, “…of River Otters”, “…of White-tailed Deer”, “…of Baby Raccoons”. My first coffee table book was published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing in 1993 and was titled, “Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. Later titles were Reflections of the Grizzly, Reflections of the Wolf, and Reflections of the Black Bear.
We began Pathways to Nature Publishing in the early 90’s and released an assortment of note cards, posters, journals, and other photographic pieces. It has been a wonderful pursuit traveling around this wonderful world and recording the beauty of God’s hand. I spend time in twelve different national parks each year along with many days along America’s rivers all for a special sixteen year relationship with a corporate client. I climb all over my beloved Smokies where I live on the edge of the park.
My great passion is in the world of birds. They fascinate me and teach me and I love to watch birds more than anything else I observe. I read extensively and especially the old writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to all of the above, I work a lot at the publishing warehouse, the galleries, and the stock photography business. I like to work because everything that I do reminds me of something positive and wonderful in my life.
Brett Wells
Brett has a B.A. in Graphic Design from Samford University, an M.F.A. from the University of WestMinster in Photographic Studies, and has taught all throughout the country. After finishing his Masters, Brett spent two years doing architectural photography for a London real estate firm. When he moved back to the states, he became an instructor at the Atlanta Institute of Art where he taught a myriad of subjects for seven years. While at the Art Institute, he had the opportunity to lead several workshops for student groups to locations such as China and Italy. Brett is definitely an educator at heart and you can see that in all that he does. He has been leading workshops in the Smokies with f/32 Photo since 2010. He already had an affinity toward macro photography and now he has an arsenal of wildflower knowledge to go with it. He loves sharing all of that with students and friends! He escapes to these mountains any chance he gets and loves leading workshops here because any day in the Smokies with a camera is a good day!
April Love
So I'll admit that Ken, and Brett are definitely the instructors among us, but I'm available for one-on-one support and basic camera and technique questions. I am more help in the field or the person who can find an answer to your question if I don't know it myself. I was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee so I grew up in these mountains as well. However, I don't know them nearly as intimately as Ken does! They are, however, part of me and in my blood. I never really found a good reason to leave (even for college as my Dad told me that I could go anywhere I wanted as long as it didn't cost more than UTK and it was in the SEC. Bleeding Orange is a hereditary trait I'm pretty sure...), so I'm still here!
While I am a portrait photographer who fell in love with nature, wildlife, and travel photography, I spend most of my time running f/32 Photo in Knoxville, Tennessee. f/32 Photo is a professional print lab (yes, we even still develop film), camera accessory store, rental program, and small studio. We also produce a few workshops like this one each year. Nature photography and being out on a trail is my joy, so it is a blessing to get to do that with other like-minded people and get to call it work!
f/32 Photo, LLC operates with a CUA permit that allows us to lead these workshops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.