Authentic Story Co. | Filmmakers and Photographers
Authentic Story Co. began as Authentic Asheville in 2016. After almost a decade of adventuring in the Southeast, in the summer of 2025, we made the move to the Southwest US. Though our name has changed, we’re still the same two women behind the lens (and sometimes in front of it) and we’re still traveling in our camper van for adventure jobs on the road. We offer hi-res photos, content creation, 4K video, writing, and even drone 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, and riding bikes in New Mexico. 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 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.
FEATURED CLIENTS
Patagonia • Eddie Bauer • Brooks Running • CamelBak • HOKA
Outside • AFAR • Matador Network • Men’s Journal • Merrell • Coleman • Orvis
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Company • Google
Aventon • • Snow Peak • Stio
Visit NC • Explore Asheville • Visit Florida • Discover Durham
ENO Hammocks • BUFF The Outbound Collective
Allegiant Air • OtterBox
Well Told • Well + Good
Aramark • Nation’s Vacation
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 hi@authenticstoryco.com
Erin 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, the Appalachian Queer Film Festival, and the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival.
Caroline Whatley
Caroline is the steady hand behind all of our projects; a seasoned filmmaker and photographer. She obtained her FAA commercial drone pilot’s license in 2023.
She was the talent in the award-winning short film “Full Spectrum" and was instrumental in the pre and post-production of the project.
Caroline has shot numerous photo and video campaigns for brands such as Patagonia, Explore Asheville, Coleman, Merrell, Aventon, Aramark. She’s also been the talent for each of these brands.
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 26.5K
@authenticstoryco 16.9K
@carolineperdue 2.6K
Threads:
@e.mcgrady 2.5K
@authenticasheville: 2.7K
Facebook:
@AuthenticAVL 2.4K + Personal accounts
Social Media Followers: 53.7K
authentic story co.
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