Aaron Stone is a photographer and documentary filmmaker based in Asheville, North Carolina. His work explores the deep connections between landscape, culture, and the musical traditions of the Southeast. Rooted in a long-standing fascination with nature and place, his practice investigates how people, environments, and sound shape one another. His focus has recently expanded into climate-disaster storytelling after living through Hurricane Helene and documenting his community’s recovery in the storm’s aftermath.

Raised in a rural, densely forested corner of northern Appalachia, Aaron developed an early sense of wonder as he wandered the woods, listened to old stories, and learned to read the quiet details of shifting light through the leaves. That same curiosity guides his work today.

Over the past decade, Aaron has traveled extensively, joining expeditions to remote mountains, rivers, and communities around the world. Leaving his rural home to experience the breadth of global culture has been a way to listen, learn, and to enter unfamiliar spaces with humility. Whether in a distant village or a neighbor’s living room, the camera often becomes the final piece of connection, opening the door to shared stories and genuine exchange.

Alongside his client work, Aaron is developing a long-term documentary project focused on the musical traditions of Madison County, North Carolina. His most recent film, Songs of the Storm, which examines creativity and resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, is currently navigating the film-festival circuit and will be released publicly in 2026.