Authentic Story Co. | Filmmakers and Photographers

We started Authentic Asheville together in 2016 and in 2025 decided it was time for an update. Enter: Authentic Story Co. In the beginning we offered hi-res photos and content creation for social media but over the years as our skills and experience expanded, we grew to offer 4K video, writing, and even drone work. We’re still the same people behind the lens (and sometimes in front of it) but with a broader definition of who we are, what we do, and where we work.

At heart, we’re filmmakers and photographers who are passionate about sharing stories about the outdoors and the people that live, work, and play in them. The outdoors are our home. While on assignment, we’ve captured action shots while riding the rapids in the Grand Canyon, underwater while swimming with manatees in Florida, running on muddy trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the road, in remote places, and also brave spaces. We’re not afraid to roll our sleeves up and get a little dirty.

But we’re also more than just an outdoor film and photography brand. We also work with DMO’s, international brands, and small, local businesses across the country. We can capture shots of your most desired lodging, create social media content on a tour of the city, and then show up for dinner and create mouthwatering food and drink photography. Need brand photos of your product? We can do that, too.

Check out our work: Photo | Video | Media Kit.

 
 

FEATURED CLIENTS

Outside

The Outbound Collective

AFAR • Matador Network • Men’s Journal

Merrell • Coleman • Orvis

Brooks Running

Patagonia • Eddie Bauer

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Aventon

CamelBak

Take Me Fishing

Google Pixel • Made By Google

ENO Hammocks • BUFF

HOKA • Snow Peak • Stio

Allegiant Air • OtterBox

Visit NC • Explore Asheville • Visit Florida • Discover Durham

Well Told • Well + Good

Aramark • Nation’s Vacation

dapperQ • ROVA Magazine

To learn more, please visit our Media Kit.

To get your questions answered about content creation and/or content marketing in Asheville and beyond, please email us at authenticstoryco@gmail.com

A headshot of Erin McGrady. She is smiling at the camera, wearing a green beanie and a yellow t-shirt. The background behind her is blurred out.

Erin McGrady (she/her)


Erin (she/her) is a filmmaker and photographer but she’s also appeared in front of the lens in numerous campaigns for brands such as Brooks, Coleman, Merrell, Orvis, CamelBak, Outside, and ENO Hammocks.

She is also the director, editor, and cinematographer of the short film “Full Spectrum” which was selected for the No Man’s Land Film Festival’s 2024 Genderqueer Filmmaker Grant. It premiered in Denver in March of 2025 and was selected for the World Tour. She also received the Fem-Wow Award at the festival as Director of the favorite All-Woman production. “Full Spectrum” was also selected for the Muskoka Queer Film Festival in Ontario, Canada.

A headshot of Caroline Whatley. She is standing outside and smiling. She has on a yellow and blue hat with the brim flipped up. It's black underneath. She has on a blue running jacket.

Caroline Whatley (she/her)


Caroline (she/her) is the steady hand behind all of our projects. She obtained her FAA commercial drone pilot’s license in 2023. She’s also our commercial and documentary cinematographer.

She was the talent and and also had a hand in the cinematography on the award-winning short film “Full Spectrum".”

Caroline has shot numerous photo and video campaigns for brands such as Patagonia, Explore Asheville, Coleman, Merrell, Aventon, Aramark, and more.

Our Creative Community Involvement + Speaking Engagements

Panelist at No Man’s Land Film Festival - Women in Film and Photography (2025)

Recipients of the No Man’s Land Festival Genderqueer Filmmaker Grant (2024)

Hosts and founders of the BIPOC + LGBTQIA2S + Ally (Asheville Run Crew) 5K Run/Walk Pop-Ups (2022 - 2024)

Brooks Running DEI Speaker Series Fireside Chat (2024)

Raised $2161 for Campaign for Southern Equality by running the Pittsburgh Marathon (2024)

Guest on WUNC 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio’s Due South (2024)

Fundraising for LGBTQ Equality by running the Pittsburgh Marathon and donating to Campaign for Southern Equality (2024)

Panelist at Patagonia ATL’s 50th Anniversary (2023)

Guest on Sweet Tea 103.3FM, a show that celebrates everything LGBTQ+ in Asheville (2023)

Panelist w/Brooks Running at the Boston Marathon (2023)

Panelist w/Brooks Running and Prolyfyck for the Who Is A Runner Film Screening in Charlottesville, Virginia (2023)

Cut Fruit Podcast (2023)

Organized a run with friends and donated $2500 to Fearless 261 which offers education and running opportunities to women (2023)

Campaign For Southern Equality Pride Photo Show (2022)

Featured on The Trail Ahead Podcast (2022)

Panelist for Columbia during AAPI Month (2022)

Panelist at the Brooks Running Hyperion House during Boston Marathon Weekend (2022)

Panelist for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Pride (2021)

Panelist for The Outbound Collective’s Writing Residency (2021)

Guest Lecturer w/ the Photography Department at the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) (2021)

REI Photography Class: How to Take Better Outdoor Photos on Your Phone (2019)

Guest Speaker at Tech Talent South in Asheville (2018)

Guest Speaker at PhotoCon Lite: Be Connected (2018)

REI Photography Class: Basic to Better: How to Improve Your Adventure Photos (2017)

Hosts and Founders of the Asheville Instameet (2016, 2017, 2018)

Please contact us for more information or to discuss speaking engagements and opportunities.

Authentic Story co.’s Social Media Channels

Instagram:
@e.mcgrady 26.6K
@authenticasheville 17.2K
@carolineperdue 2.6K

Threads:
@e.mcgrady 2.3K
@authenticasheville: 2.6K

Facebook:
@AuthenticAVL 2.4K + Personal accounts

Social Media Followers: 53.7K

authentic story co.

Not sure how we can help but interested in learning more?

Drop us a line and let's get creative together!