Authentic Asheville | Filmmakers and Photographers
We’re Erin McGrady (she/her), Caroline Whatley (she/her), and Maggie.
We’re filmmakers and photographers who are passionate about sharing stories about the outdoors and the people that live, work, and play in them.
We’re based out of Asheville, North Carolina but frequently take to the road in our camper van.
The outdoors are our home. While on assignment, we’ve captured shots on rafts in the Grand Canyon, underwater while swimming with manatees, on muddy trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains, while bikepacking for over 200 miles in the Florida Keys, and even while riding a horse in the Tetons. We’ve also shot in a working bakery at 4 in the morning and at drag shows on a Saturday night.
To see some of our work as well as a list of clients, please visit our Media Kit.
FEATURED CLIENTS
AFAR • Matador Network • Men’s Journal
Merrell • Coleman • Orvis
Brooks Running
Patagonia • Eddie Bauer
Aventon
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 hello@authenticasheville.com
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 - A Queer Outdoorsy Film About Autism which was selected for the No Man’s Land Film Festival’s 2024 Genderqueer Filmmaker Grant. It will premier in Denver in March of 2025 and was also selected for the World Tour.
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 short film Full Spectrum - A Queer Outdoors Film About Autism.
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
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 - present)
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 Asheville’s Social Media Channels
Instagram:
@e.mcgrady 26.6K
@authenticasheville 17.3K
@carolineperdue 2.6K
Threads:
@e.mcgrady 2.3K
@authenticasheville: 2.6K
Facebook:
@AuthenticAVL 2.4K + Personal accounts
Social Media Followers: 53.8K
Together, we are Authentic Asheville.
Not sure how we can help but interested in learning more?
Drop us a line and let's get creative together!