Aerial Chattanooga

04/20/2023

North Shore construction

04/05/2021

Good morning, Chattanooga.

01/03/2017

The only thing better than morning light is when fog is added.

12/21/2016

A message directly from Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner: (This is a photo of Mike, his wife Cindy and 3 of their 7 children. Notice their shadows holding hands.)

"I am so thankful for the strength and peace that the Lord has given me. I continue to ask for wisdom in the healing and recovery period. My family is amazing and comforting to me and I am so fortunate to have them. Better days are ahead for all of us.

I am not surprised by the love and actions of the people of this area they are the reason this place is so special. We thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and donations. Right now, the best thing you can do is make plans to come back to Gatlinburg.

Please visit www.mountaintough.org on ways you may help those who were affected by the wildfires."

12/19/2016

Well, it's a long story how we got out. We barely did. We were trapped by trees and fire was all around us. Our power was out and when it got dark we could see fire all over Wiley Oakley. We looked down at Westgate and saw it catching. Then we got in my moms SUV with the two kids- one is 9 months and the other one is 8 years old. We couldn't back out because of trees down. We got the kids out and came back in. Once we came back in, we called 911. On the third time of calling them, they answered. After talking to them I knew they were inundated with calls so I was afraid they wouldn't get to us. Down the road I saw someone chainsawing trees down. I ran down there and asked him if he could help us. He was helping someone up the road get out. So I asked him if when he was done he would come help us. About 15 minutes passed and we were seeing the fire grow. People were calling us and asking if we were getting out but we were trapped. He came back and started chainsawing and as soon as he was done, we got into my dads old truck, me, myself, the kids, my mom, and the other pets. Dad stayed behind. The police later retrieved him and made him evacuate shortly after. By the time we got to the bottom of our hill, two houses behind Westgate, fire was all around. We were directed out of Gatlinburg into pigeon forge in the other lane on the spur. We could feel the fire all the way in the truck. Smoke was everywhere. We have never been so happy to breath fresh air. That night we stayed at my cousins.

12/18/2016

Natalie Morton (Part 2/2)
The national media doesn't seem to be as interested in this story as other national disasters. I think most people here aren't concerned with that because they just want to get back on their feet and then help each other. The local community here is extremely close, strong and generous. People here live more simple and they are just thankful for what they have, instead of stressing about what they don't. I think this is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I am fortunate to call this my home.

To help Natalie, go to https://www.gofundme.com/natalie-mortons-house-fund

12/17/2016

I miss the comfort of "home" We both miss our "normal". Layla has only been upset over losing "Lamby". It was a stuffed lamb her great grandparents had got her when she was born and sadly enough her great grandmother passed away last year. Our family, community, our friends and familys' communities are all providing us with so much! I'm not quite sure what else there is to ask for. I just pray to have a home again that we will love just as much as that one. Layla went to see Santa and she only had 1 thing on her list. She only wanted for everyone that lost their homes to have a new one.

Help Autumn and Layla at https://www.gofundme.com/wj-family-in-need

12/17/2016

One of the more amazing things about the project is seeing the spirit of the people here. It's very easy to see the emotional impact the fire had on everyone but in spite of the loss they've experienced they constantly display strength and joy in the midst of it.

Autumn and Layla (7). Part 2/3.

All I could think about was the other houses in our neighborhood where I knew there were elderly people. But as I drove I was trying to think of anyone close by that could take my daughter so I could go back and tell them. Before I knew it we were on 321. We were going to my sister's house but apparently a power line had just fallen. We were only 3 cars back and waited and waited. So finally I turned around and thought I would just go down and around and take the bypass. As we were driving I can't describe how frantic she was and screaming "mommy I don't wanna go back home" Right as we got to the parkway a policeman just closed it off. So the absolute only way out of town was turning back around towards the downed power line. We got back and sat for prob 45 min. It was scary bc the smoke was so bad and sirens just kept passing going both directions. We finally got to my sister's but the sky was bright orange there too. We had no idea where it exactly was (it was Cobbly K**b) we caravaned on the back rd. We were at a deadstop for hrs. We made it to Kodak around midnight. I had confirmation my house was gone at 6am. Someone did a favor and went and checked. Everything I owned was gone just like that!

Help Autumn and Layla at https://www.gofundme.com/wj-family-in-need

12/15/2016

Honored to be in Gatlinburg working with Jeremy Cowart on his Voices of Gatlinburg project. The damage done by the fires is devastating to see. Its amazing to see the spirit of these people in the midst of a loss like this.

This is a 360° panoramic shot by my good friend Aerial Chattanooga (Jonathan Smith) today on set as we helped another family. Notice how all the buildings around them were fine but they still lost their home. This was a family of artists and they had no time to get their work out. So utterly devastating. My heart was breaking talking to them.

11/08/2016

10/21/2016

New name and new focus. For now here's a quick screen capture of some footage I shot yesterday. Thanks Logan for letting me grab some footage of you and thanks Adam for running the camera

10/03/2016

A couple of months back I had the opportunity thanks to Bleu Hayes to provide all the drone footage on Crowder Music's music video for Run Devil Run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ