How do all the best stories start?

With a random message through Instagram DMs, of course.

No, but really. We booked a camping spot in Great Smoky Mountains National Park back in May. (Side note, you have to make reservations at most of the national parks WAYYYY ahead of time.) And we knew we wanted to do a chill, fun session while we were there.

One day back in August, Lauren was scrolling the Gram for locations in GSMNP, trying to find some hidden gem spots since we had never been to the park before. She came across a photo of the cutest couple who had clearly done a photo session there before and thought, “What the heck, I’m just going to ask if they want to meet up and camp with us.”

And so she did. And they said yes.

At the beginning of November, we finally met up with Beth Anne & Dagan and their pup, Whiskey. We hung out around the campfire with our dogs and drank beer and Mike’s Hard Lemonade and just chatted about life and our relationships.

The next morning, we woke up at 4 a.m. and drove to the opposite side of the park in complete darkness to Cade’s Cove. We parked outside the gate since the area doesn’t open to cars until 8 a.m., and we made our way on foot to the most perfect open field.

As we shot, we watched the sun come up over the orange, red and yellow multi-colored trees. Horses crossed a field behind us to make their way to some stables to get their breakfast.

The weather started at a slightly chilly 54 degrees and a wet dew covered the grass, but by the time we finished up, there was a warm glow coming from the rising sun.

It was a peaceful, beautiful morning to have Cade’s Cove all to ourselves, proving that sometimes social media does have its perks.

We hope you enjoy seeing fall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!