About Laurel Rumph

What began as early-morning drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway and walks along the New River turned into a second career built around the landscapes, small towns, and community I now get to photograph every day. Somewhere between sunrise fog, farmers markets, and people asking, “Do you sell prints of that?” things got real—and I’ve been happily running with it ever since.

I’m now a published photographer whose work has appeared on the cover of the Ashe County Visitor’s Guide and in regional tourism advertising, including campaigns for the Town of West Jefferson featured in Our State magazine. Seeing my images used to represent this area has been one of the most meaningful parts of this unexpected second career.

My photography focuses on the High Country: the Parkway, the New River, Mount Jefferson, and the quiet seasonal moments locals recognize immediately. In addition to landscape work, I photograph families, small businesses, and local events, keeping sessions relaxed and true to the setting we’re in.

I offer fine art prints on metal and paper, along with puzzles, postcards, and other pieces that let people take a small part of the mountains home with them. You’ll often find me at local markets, shops, and events, and I teach photography workshops for beginners who want to feel more confident using their cameras—whether that’s a DSLR or an iPhone.

Community is a big part of what I do. I regularly donate photography and services to local organizations including Habitat for Humanity, New River Conservancy, and Ashe County Little Theatre, and I previously served on the board of the Florence Thomas Art School. Supporting the creative and nonprofit community here is just as important to me as making the photographs themselves.

These days, my goal is simple: to capture the light, weather, and everyday beauty of Ashe County in a way that feels familiar and lasting. If a photo of mine makes someone say, “That’s exactly what it feels like here,” then I’ve done my job.

Thanks for being here—and for supporting local photography in the High Country.

— Laurel Rumph