Down-To-Earth East Tennessee Photographer

Chasing natural light + cheek hurtin' smiles for couples, families, and brands.

Hey there, I'm Claire!

I’m the photographer behind Appalachian Lens. I’m drawn to beautiful light, rich color, and the kind of moments you feel more than you see—the soft ones, the exciting ones, and the perfectly imperfect ones in between.

My approach is relaxed and intuitive. I’ll guide you when it’s helpful, step back when the moment needs space, and always leave room for real connection to unfold. Whether I’m photographing a growing family, an intimate elopement, or a brand that needs a creative eye, my goal is the same: photo galleries that feel natural, elevated, and unmistakably you.

Self Portrait of photographer taken with a drone

VOTED #1 PHOTOGRAPHER BY MY CATS

cat on snowy tree stump, in black and white

A Little About What Led Me Here

From what I recall, I picked up my first camera when I was in 4th grade, and by camera I mean a disposable film (what can I say, it was the 90's). I'll spare you my 9-year-old selfies that I know are tucked away somewhere. Hehe! I got my first digital camera a few years later, then studied photography ever so briefly when I graduated high school. My dream was to be a wedding photographer, which later became director of cinematography. I barely even got started learning film cameras before—like many creative dreams—life nudged it to the back burner for a good while.

But passions don’t disappear. They hang on to you and peek back through when you aren't expecting.

Over ten years later I was aimlessly scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and saw a camera that I felt screaming my name. I don't quite know why. I still loved photography and would take plenty of photos with my phone, but I hadn't even thought of picking up a camera again. I bought it as soon as I could and I realized I was going to make my dream my reality.

I was married in a small, meaningful ceremony… without a photographer. No photos of the way the sunlight fell directly on us in our small church, or the tears that I didn't expect to see forming in my husband's eyes. The same was true for my pregnancy and intimate home birth—deeply personal moments that passed without being documented.

That brings me to now. I’m here to convince you not to think twice and to help you capture those special, unrepeatable moments. You’ll never regret preserving them, but if you're sentimental like me, you'll regret letting them slip by.

I can't wait to learn a bit about you!

Black and white photo of woman twirling in field in the Smoky Mountains

When I'm Not Behind the Lens

You’ll probably find me:

Homeschooling my daughter
In the garden with my family
Experimenting in the kitchen
Hunting for hidden food gems
Or driving aimlessly through the mountains (getting lost is absolutely my favorite hobby)

What It's Like To Work Together

Think calm, intentional, and totally relaxed.

I believe the best photographs come when you feel yourself, not from forced moments. Your session won't be rushed. It will feel easy and thoughtfully guided to capture real emotion.

The result? Photographs that feel lived-in and timeless—photos you don’t just scroll past, but choose to print and frame. Photos that will bring tears to your eyes when you look back at the canvas on your wall in 15 years and wonder where the time has gone.