Maryville City Building, Great Smoky Mountains, Maryville, TN, Tennessee

How do you capture the quiet power of a city waking up under the watchful gaze of mountains?

The crisp September air bit at my face as I launched my drone, sending it into the morning sky above Maryville. Below me, the city still slept, but the first light of dawn began to stretch its fingers across the horizon, illuminating the Maryville City Municipal Building. It stood like a sentinel, framed by the vibrant reds and oranges of early fall, and, in the distance, the Great Smoky Mountains rolled into view, bathed in the soft pastels of sunrise.

Photographing with a drone at sunrise adds layers of complexity to an already intricate craft. The light is fleeting, ever-changing, and the shadows are long and sharp. I hovered the drone, careful to balance the composition with the building’s symmetrical architecture and the sprawling majesty of the Smokies. Every second counted as the sky shifted, casting a warm golden hue that seemed to bring the town’s history alive.

Maryville, rich with heritage, was founded in 1795. This city, cradled between the mountains and the plains, has watched generations grow and pass through its streets. The municipal building itself is a blend of old-world charm and modern functionality, an anchor in the community, standing tall as a symbol of Maryville’s journey from a small settlement to a thriving city.

The drone hummed softly above, but the air was otherwise still. The distant sounds of cars and the occasional bird were muted by the stillness of the morning. As I maneuvered the drone to capture the perfect shot, the mountains, wrapped in their morning mist, provided the perfect backdrop. The play of light and shadow across the town, the trees swaying gently in the breeze, and the soft glow of the sun—it was a moment suspended in time.

It was an incredible experience, being able to immerse myself in the city’s history and capture it from this perspective. The Great Smoky Mountains framed Maryville in a way that felt timeless, a reminder that even as the world changes, some things remain constant—like the sun rising each morning over a city filled with stories yet to be told.

1) Since we create each piece of our custom fine art specifically for you, we don't offer returns. Every image is made-to-order, making it unique and personal. But we want you to love your artwork! If it arrives damaged or there's a problem with it, we'll gladly exchange it or send you a replacement to make things right.

2) The artist's signature on each piece of our fine art, placed in the bottom corner, authenticates the work as a unique creation and adds a personal touch.

3.1) Only framed paper prints, acrylics and aluminum/metal prints will have a 2" white mat border.
3.2) Canvas prints will be a flush mounted (no mat border) to the frame.