Wonders of the High Country
A Photographer’s Paradise

People often ask how long I’ve been a photographer. The truth is, I’ve always had a camera in hand—snapping away since the days of dropping film at Eckerd’s and hoping one or two shots turned out just right.

I’ve called North Carolina home my whole life—raised in the Raleigh/Cary area, then living in Charlotte for 30 years before settling in Fleetwood in the fall of 2019. The following spring, a doe left her fawn just outside my fence, right in view of my office window. My dog and I watched over it for hours. That moment nudged me to buy a Nikon zoom bundle from Costco—and I haven’t stopped shooting since. Online classes followed, and so did a growing passion for refining my craft.

In June 2023, I retired from corporate life and soon joined the board of the Florence Thomas Art School. Surrounded by the creativity and encouragement of the Ashe County arts community, I realized this might be more than a hobby—I could actually sell my work. Since then, I’ve been honored to have one of my photos featured on the cover of the Ashe County Visitors Guide and to begin working with the Town of West Jefferson on promotional and travel photography.

Alongside landscapes and wildlife, I also offer natural light portrait sessions—especially senior portraits and lifestyle photography—captured on-location in the beautiful mountain settings I know and love. While I don’t work out of a studio, I specialize in relaxed, outdoor portraits with a genuine feel.

I hope my images offer you a little glimpse of the mountain magic I get to witness every day.

Warmly,
Laurel Rumph