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Collector Confidence
What Happens After You Order
- Your print is prepared using archival fine art paper and archival matting.
- Small Works prints are hand-signed and paired with a printed story card.
- Your order is carefully inspected, packed, and shipped with tracking.
- If your print arrives damaged, I’ll work with you on a replacement.
The Story
In the spring forest of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a black bear sow moved carefully through the trees while two cubs rested safely above her in the branches. The scene unfolded quietly, with the mother below and the young bears tucked into the canopy, each part of the frame carrying a different kind of awareness.
There was a natural rhythm to the moment: protection beneath, curiosity above, and the surrounding forest holding them both. Nothing about the encounter felt forced or dramatic. It was simply a brief glimpse into the way black bear families move, pause, and remain connected within the wooded slopes of the Smokies.
Above Her reflects the quiet storytelling that often makes wildlife photography meaningful — a moment of family, caution, and trust unfolding high above the forest floor.
Subject
Location
Black Bear Sow and Cubs
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Collection
Mood
Protective, Intimate, Woodland
Small Work Details
- 6×9 print matted to 11×14
- 8×12 print matted to 16×20
- Hand-signed
- Printed in Dave Miller’s studio
- Companion story card included
- Ready for standard-size framing
See it Framed
8×12 print with 4 inch mat. Framed in a 16×20 gallery frame for illustration
Why I Made This Photograph
This image was selected for the Small Works collection because of its natural storytelling and emotional connection.
The composition carries the relationship between the bears without needing to explain it too directly. The sow remains below, alert and present, while the cubs rest above her in the branches. That layered arrangement gives the photograph depth, but also a quiet sense of protection.
I was drawn to the way the family relationship unfolded within the surrounding forest. The trees are not just a background; they are part of the story, creating shelter, separation, and a sense of place.
For me, Above Her is about trust, awareness, and the quiet bond between a mother bear and her cubs in the Smoky Mountain woods.
— Dave Miller
Presentation
Each Small Work is printed on museum-quality paper and matted with an archival off-white mat.
A rigid backing board provides support and protection.
Ready for standard-size framing.
Frame shown for visualization only.
Collecting Information
Available in two matted sizes.
Open Edition
Red River Aurora Art Paper
Museum-quality fine art paper with exceptional detail and tonal range.
Premium, acid-free mat board for long-term preservation.
Archival Matting
Personally signed on the print border.
Free U.S. Shipping
Complimentary shipping within the United States
Hand-signed
Production & Delivery
Printed in Dave Miller’s Studio
Shipped flat
Most orders shipped within 2-3 weeks.
Story Card
Every Small Work includes a companion story card featuring image title, location and short field note from the moment.
