Photographer's Guide to Nashville, Tennessee

After being here a few days, I had some time to kill and did even MORE research on what was around. The Train Trestle in this background was on my list already, hoping to catch a train using the DJI Mavic 3’s 7x lens and showing the downtown in the background with lens compression. But, I was happily surprised exploring Google Maps to see a LIGHTHOUSE here. That was when the challenge of GETTING this photo began. Not gonna lie, this shot took some work. 

Now, you could just be a normal person. You could just walk the Shelby Bottoms Greenway trail that goes along the river and gives you a view of the lighthouse. But I don’t do normal. I wanted a much closer drone shot. The problem - regulations, regulations, regulations! For starters, you can’t commercially fly from the city parks. So, that ruled out flying from the north side of the river. Second, the nearby airport meant a height restriction of just 100 feet! Third, and as a general rule, you need to maintain line-of-sight with your drone. 

Where did that lead me? Finding the closest riverfront spot on the south side of the river that had a view. This led to me making a friendly call to Clark Crane. They were very accommodating and let me onto their private property, which goes right up to the lighthouse. It was a bit of a drop but I didn't need to get there, just to see it and fly my drone there.

All in all I think it was 110% worth the effort, capturing a very unique and one-of-a-kind shot of this beautiful lighthouse in the middle of the Cumberland River.

If you followed my advice from spot #1, you are already RIGHT here. A drone is super handy of course to showcase the view of this stadium with downtown Nashville. Otherwise, look at their schedule of events to find a time to come inside.

I am not sure anything gets more iconic in Nashville than Broadway Street! I do not recommend trying to park or drive through here in the evening, as it is just pure chaos. But, if you use walking bridge from spot #1, then you can happily parade these streets and capture photos of all the neon lights, take in live music from nearly every building you pass, and watch everyone stuck in traffic.

Ok, we’ve hit the SUPER obvious spots you probably already knew about. Printers Alley is more in the heart of the downtown skyscrapers. In fact, I quite enjoy the walk from Broadway Street over to here. This is like a miniature version of Broadway Street, being of course IN an alley and filled with little restaurants. Still, you get that NEON light experience and the entire alley goes a fair bit in both directions. Another great night spot.

As a drone stock photographer, I don’t leave a city without capturing their courthouse or capitol building, and Nashville was no exception! I love when a government building like this has the downtown surrounding it so perfectly. It is also a great building to walk around, as it is raised up over Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. You are also not far off from the Nashville Sounds baseball stadium.

This place takes me back, as I remember being here as a kid during a childhood vacation! It was fun seeing it fresh as an adult. This place is certainly an experience to walk through, with an aggressive tropical theme and waterfalls that remind me of being back in the Bahamas! Parking was a bit expensive at about $30 for a couple of hours. But this is a GREAT spot to kill a very HOT afternoon away from the heat.

After being here a few days, I had some time to kill and did even MORE research on what was around. The Train Trestle in this background was on my list already, hoping to catch a train using the DJI Mavic 3’s 7x lens and showing the downtown in the background with lens compression. But, I was happily surprised exploring Google Maps to see a LIGHTHOUSE here. That was when the challenge of GETTING this photo began. Not gonna lie, this shot took some work. 

Now, you could just be a normal person. You could just walk the Shelby Bottoms Greenway trail that goes along the river and gives you a view of the lighthouse. But I don’t do normal. I wanted a much closer drone shot. The problem - regulations, regulations, regulations! For starters, you can’t commercially fly from the city parks. So, that ruled out flying from the north side of the river. Second, the nearby airport meant a height restriction of just 100 feet! Third, and as a general rule, you need to maintain line-of-sight with your drone. 

Where did that lead me? Finding the closest riverfront spot on the south side of the river that had a view. This led to me making a friendly call to Clark Crane. They were very accommodating and let me onto their private property, which goes right up to the lighthouse. It was a bit of a drop but I didn't need to get there, just to see it and fly my drone there.

All in all I think it was 110% worth the effort, capturing a very unique and one-of-a-kind shot of this beautiful lighthouse in the middle of the Cumberland River.