There are so many things to see from waterfalls to flora. You'll want to be able to take photos of flowers and smaller things, too, so take scomething capable of focusing on small things. Shots of the Smokies should be gorgeous. Be sure to spend time at Cades Cove, preferably in morning or evening light at some of the locations.

Watch out for the bears. Get a shot if you can, but don't get caught.

Shenandoah National Park is nice, but we prefer the Smokies. The road through Shenandoah is Skyline Drive, and it is slow going (approx 100 miles). There is a spot half way down where you can exit/enter the park. There are waterfalls in Shenandoah, but I think the ones in the Smokies are better. We usually stay in Gatlinburg, as Pigeon Forge can get very crowded. Great restaurant in Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill, near Dollywood. I call Pigeon Forge "Las Vegas for children". There are MANY things to do there, such as indoor skydiving. We usually stay at the River's Edge hotel in Gatlinburg. Make sure you ask for a room facing town, and high up. It's a great view of town. Also, outside of town, We've stayed at Lady Attebellums cabins, about half way between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. There is a microbrew in Gatlinburg called the Smoky Mountain Brewery (also one in Pigeon Forge). It has great beer and really good food. Calhoun's is a good place for BBQ. If you don't stay at a place within walking distance to "downtown" Gatlinburg, parking can be an issue. Cades Cove is the most popular loop in the park. That is probably your best chance at black bear. Don't look for bears, look for a bunch of stopped cars. You will probably see mule deer and a lot of turkeys as well. Even though Cades Cove is the most popular, the other drives throughout the park offer lovely scenery as well, and can be a little less crowded.

I also vist the Smokys at least once a year and have for the last25+ years and as stated before you will not run out of things to photograph. God most beautiful place on earth.
I don,t know when you are planning on you trip, but there was a landslide of the main ( 441 ) road from Gatlingburg to Cherooke. I will be closed from Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome Rd. to Cherooke. It is open from Cheroole to Smokemont Campgrounds on the North Carlina side. At last check there was no time line as to when it will reopen, but in all likelihood it will be closedthru the summer and fall of this year .

I will assume you are starting in CT and headed South to Virginia to start in the Shenandoah NP. The SNP starts in Front Royal Virginia and ENDS at Afton Mountain where I-64 crosses. After that it is the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to North Carolina and the Smokey Mountains NP. The National Park includes thousands of acres and many miles of hiking trails while the BRP is usually only the width of the road plus a narrow right-of-way on either side. Everything else is private land. Numerous places to stop in the SNP but be sure to at least take in Big Meadows. Take the time to hike (or pay for a ride) down to Hoover Camp, the presidential retreat. Fascinating history, countless photo ops. Watch out for deer as they are almost tame and don't mess with the bears. Take your time and enjoy. Everyone wants to photograph waterfalls but that usually requires a healthy hike. I've hiked just about every trail in the park and I guess you can tell its my favorite place. BTW, watch your speed in spite of what all the other tourists are doing.