Sandlin Gaither is an Asheville-based photographer with over two decades behind the camera, best known for capturing intimate portraits of American touring musicians and exotic global landscapes. He has photographed more than 500 musical acts—including icons like Phish and The Beastie Boys—and created intimate studio portraits of figures like Steve Martin and chef Anthony Bourdain. His travel and documentary work spans four continents, from the Andes Mountains and the Sahara Desert to the remote islands of Southeast Asia.

Sandlin’s photography has been featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, National Geographic Traveler, Playboy, Paste, Filter, No Depression, and the GRAMMY Awards, among many others. His work has appeared in traveling exhibitions, and on dozens of album covers.

Sandlin's photography career began behind the bar at Asheville’s iconic Grey Eagle Music Hall in 2005, where he spent fifteen years photographing touring musicians backstage and after their sets—developing a signature portrait style rooted in authenticity and connection. The years spent working at the Grey Eagle also spawned the hilarious written works 'Crazy Things People Say in A Bar Vol. 1 & 2.'

Today, Sandlin combines his seasoned experience with a relaxed, collaborative approach that puts clients at ease, resulting in striking, personality-driven images of clients from all walks of life, from world-famous musicians to authors, podcasters, artists, actors, and everyone in between.

In 2025 Sandlin is proud to launch the Sandlin Gaither Explorer's Club, presenting curated tours for adventure-seeking hobbyist and entry-level photographers through amazing destinations around the globe, including Bali, Oaxaca, the Yucatan, and Vietnam.

Sandlin lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife, daughter, and son. In his free time, Sandlin coaches two youth soccer teams, works in the garden, paddle boards the regional waterways, and serves a certified KCBS barbecue judge.