LINVILLE, NC (July 11, 2019) — This August, amateur and professional photographers can visit Grandfather Mountain’s classroom in the clouds to hear presentations from top photojournalists and improve their skills.
The annual Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic returns Aug. 17-18, also allowing participants the rare opportunity to photograph the park outside of regular business hours, while providing valuable networking time with other photographers.
2019’s speakers include:
- Tom Fox, a photojournalist for 24 years and winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina;
- Melissa Sue Gerrits, staff photographer for The Fayetteville Observer in Fayetteville, N.C., and winner of the 2019 N.C. Press Association’s Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year Award;
- Scott Muthersbaugh and Jerry Wolford, award-winning photojournalists (and both former Hugh Morton photographers of the year), who now run Perfecta Visuals commercial photography in Greensboro, N.C.; and
- Chuck Liddy, a four-decade veteran of the news industry with more than a hundred awards to his name, who has covered assignments ranging from college sports to hurricanes to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and more. Liddy currently serves as a photojournalist with The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C.
The Camera Clinic was originally organized in 1952 by the late Hugh Morton, founder and steward of the Grandfather Mountain nature park and a distinguished photographer.
“The Camera Clinic is a favorite not only among photojournalists, but photographers in general,” said Frank Ruggiero, director of marketing and communications for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature park. “Our speakers touch on a wide range of topics and can help participants hone their skills and widen their focus — sometimes literally.”
Admission to the event is free for working photojournalists and active members of the N.C. Press Photographers Association. Admission for all others is $50 and includes a buffet dinner on Saturday.
Online registration opens Wednesday, July 17, at grandfather.com. Anyone wishing to secure a spot must purchase a $50 pass online; the charge will be refunded to those who show valid press credentials or a NCPPA membership card at check-in.
A discounted two-day admission ticket is available for $30 and $14 for adult and child guests, respectively, of Camera Clinic participants who wish to enjoy the park but do not plan to attend the seminars. This ticket allows guests to come and go as they please Aug. 17-18. Guests may also purchase tickets for the Saturday buffet dinner for $15.
Primitive camping is available in the Grandfather Mountain Woods Walk Picnic Area for those participating in the clinic on a first-come, first-served basis. No RVs or campers are allowed.
For more information and to register, visit https://grandfather.com/event/grandfather-mountain-camera-clinic/. For any questions or concerns, email Ruggiero at frank@grandfather.com or Natalie Brunner, marketing and communications associate, at natalie@grandfather.com.