Authentic Asheville is a team of three.
We’re Erin McGrady (she/her), Caroline Whatley (she/her), and Maggie.
We’re passionate about each other and our work and are committed to living lives that require us to step into vulnerability on the regular. We aren’t shy to share about our experiences and the challenges that we face in trying to live our most authentic lives. We’re also passionate about amplifying stories about others, particularly those in the QPOC community. We believe that love is love and that it’s everything.
Video, photography, writing, content creation, and social media are our specialties and we use these tools to share stories with meaning and purpose in order to foster connections with others. We’re most at home in the outdoors. Nature is the place where we feel the most comfortable and it has a central role in our lives.
We’re based out of Asheville, North Carolina but are always thrilled to take to the road for work. We own a camper van and it allows us to travel to jobs near and far. We’ve driven across the country and back a couple of times and are always up for making a detour for a project that catches our interest and aligns with our values.
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
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 (she/her) is a photographer, filmmaker, writer, content creator, athlete, and FAA certified commercial drone pilot. A big picture thinker with an attention to detail, she is passionate about sharing stories that are helping to build a more inclusive outdoors. She’s also not afraid to share about her experiences as a queer person of color and hopes that using her voice gives others the confidence to do so as well.
Erin is a 3-time marathon finisher with numerous half-marathons and shorter distances under her belt. She’s also completed several triathlons, most of them at the sprint and Olympic distances. These days she’s focused less on competition and more on building community, having founded the Asheville Run Crew in 2022 which celebrates BIPOC + LGBTQIA2S joy through movement. It’s also a welcoming space for allies.
She’s worked with brands such as Coleman, Merrell, Brooks, Orvis, CamelBak, Outside, and ENO Hammocks where she’s been both behind the camera and also in front of the lens as the athlete/talent.
Caroline (she/her) is a photographer, filmmaker, food and prop stylist, content creator, athlete, and FAA certified commercial drone pilot who is committed to sharing stories through photos and videos that help amplify the experiences of people within the LGBTQ+ and QPOC communities.
She is the quiet and steady hand behind all of our projects, making sure that nothing gets forgotten or incomplete.
Caroline completed her first half marathon in 2022 and has run in a handful of 10K’s and 5K’s. She has been an integral part of Asheville Run Crew.
She’s shot numerous photo and video campaigns for brands such as Coleman, Merrell, Orvis, CamelBak, Outside, Patagonia, ENO Hammocks, and more.
Maggie is the heart and soul behind Authentic Asheville. Part cattle dog, part schnauzer, she’s the first one to rise and the last one to go to sleep. Always up for an adventure, her fun-loving, easy nature and pure enthusiasm for all things outdoors makes her our team MVP.
Our Creative Community Involvement + Speaking Engagements
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 26.5K
@authenticasheville 13.7K
@carolineperdue 2.3K
Threads:
@e.mcgrady 2.1K
@authenticasheville: 2.1K
Facebook:
@AuthenticAVL 2.4K + Personal accounts
Social Media Followers: 49.1K+
Together, we are Authentic Asheville.
We are working to increase representation on both sides of the lens.
Not sure how we can help but interested in learning more?
Drop us a line and let's get creative together!
