The National Park Foundation is proud to release their annual ‘Top 10’ list, a photography guide highlighting the very best Fall photo experiences in America’s national parks and public lands. Number one on the list is Historic Jamestowne that recently celebrated its 400th Anniversary. When you visit you'll find it is a rare opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas just as they did while exploring our nation’s early beginnings. Today at Jamestowne, the story of the people who founded the colony is told through film, gallery exhibits and living history.

Children especially enjoy the costumed interpreters who lead tours through the winding streets of Historic Jamestowne, tracing the colony’s beginnings in England. What a great way to learn about history as the interpreter describes the cultures of the Powhatan Indians, Europeans and Africans who converged there in the 1600's. Our girls, who loved the movie Pocahontas, learned more about her life and how she contributed to the history of our country.

With visually inspiring streetscapes depicting the stories of our ancestors, it is no wonder that Jamestowne is a haven for photographers. Among the highlights are, The State House, The Meeting House, The Statue of John Smith and The Glasshouse and Loop Drive. It's a wonderful way for families to share a part of our American history, and capture these special moments together on film, which my wife loves to do.

A Ford Photo Tip For Your Trip

Historic Jamestowne is a very popular destination for tourists. This means the park is photographed frequently, and can make it a challenge to capture a truly original picture. The best advice for photographing Jamestowne is to consider variety. Include your family and people shots, close ups and wide angles. Try taking photographs in good weather as well as bad. An interesting photo of a street lamp could have greater impact than a picture of a building, and create a memorable photo to share with family and friends at home.

The “Top Ten Parks and Public Lands Photo Tips” range from capturing the rich history of Jamestowne, Virginia, to watching alligators glide through the swamps of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you’re a professional or new to photography, these tips will help you discover some of the hidden gems that often get overlooked within the nation’s diverse parks and public lands system.

In recent years the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation had teamed with sponsors like CASIO and Ford Motor Company for the official “Share the Experience” photo contest.  Amateur photographers are encouraged to enter their favorite photos taken in America’s national parks and public lands.  Winners are eligible for a variety of prizes and vacations to federal recreation areas. 

The “Share the Experience” photo contest benefits America’s Federal Recreational Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. We hope these tips are helpful, and inspire you to get out and explore some of America’s hidden gems hidden within the nation's public parks and recreation lands.

Plan Your Trip

To find more about the Share The Experience Photo Contest visit www.nationalparks.org or http://www.sharetheexperience.org.

To learn more about Virginia getaway options, view festival and events schedules, as well as local attractions and sites to explore visit http://www.virginia.org/.