Nashville photographer captures skyline’s evolution
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Penny Adams is a longtime Nashville photographer. She once worked at the Opryland USA theme park years ago, taking photos. But, it’s a photo she snapped this year in Nashville that caught Music City’s eye.
Penny Adams was kind enough to meet News 2’s Mark Kelly near 2300 Kline Avenue, the spot where she first took a viral photo of Nashville’s skyline.
“When I came up here, I realized, this is kinda like a local spot. It’s not really widely known,” recalled Adams.
Origin story behind Nashville’s original skyscraper: the L&C tower
The South Nashville hillside offers a view of Music City’s skyscrapers, popping out of the ground like tulips in spring.
“I’ve probably come here about four or five times in the last 24 years,” remembered Adams.
But, it was just two times coming here that made Adams go viral.
“I didn’t even predict my own image going viral.”
Ten years ago, in 2014, Adams took one shot. “That was on Martin Luther King day,” said Adams. “I was excited to snap a vantage point that I had not seen before.”
She got her photo, stored it in the archive, and didn’t go back to the hillside for years. “It was nothing but cranes. And so, what was the point?”
Peabody Union, new mixed-use space, aims to redefine expanding South Bank neighborhood
But this year, 10 years later, Adams decided to return to the same South Nashville hillside, but this time, she found a new Nashville skyline.
“It was bonkers,” said Adams. “I had not been to this particular vantage point since I had shot that photo. And so when I pulled up and you can see how expansive it was, it was pretty mind-blowing.”
Adams had an idea: Put the two skylines — 2014 and 2024 — side by side. She posted it on social media and everyone was stunned by the growth.
“Folks just starting sharing it,” said Adams. “Just gaining momentum as the evening grew. Next thing I knew, everybody was saying, ‘Oh my gosh. Did you shoot this?'”
Her photo has received thousands of likes, along with some not-so-nice comments about Nashville’s growth, traffic and cost over those 10 years.
“I think a lot of folks are very polarized on the quality of life from old Nashville to new Nashville.” As longtime Nashvillian herself, Adams isn’t taking sides.
⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com
“I’m sorta caught in the middle.” But she is grateful to chronicle history in a city she cares deeply for. I feel very blessed this image has taken off the way it was. I don’t know how many photographers have been here, but I’m the lucky one that’s been recognized.”
Adams credits her father for her love of photography. He was a sign painter across the city.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
