Carter McKinney
About
Founder of McKinney Media.
Carter McKinney is a Bethlehem-based creative entrepreneur, photographer, filmmaker, marketer, educator, and event producer. He is the founder of McKinney Media, a creative powerhouse spanning visual content, marketing, weddings, events, and education that he's built since 2021, serving businesses, organizations, couples, and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic. His work connects visual storytelling, strategic marketing, education, and live experiences to help people and ideas become more visible.
Download full résumé (PDF)More Than a Creative Service
A media company, a school, an events platform, and a podcast — built as one powerhouse.
Carter began as a photographer and expanded his work into a broader creative powerhouse. What started with visual storytelling grew into marketing, weddings, events, education, podcasting, and community programming. His work now includes corporate assignments, civic initiatives, live experiences, educational programming, and platforms designed to connect entrepreneurs and creative professionals.
That combination — media production, business strategy, education, and community-building infrastructure — is deliberate.
McKinney Media
One powerhouse, five practices.
Visual Content
Photography, videography, drone, headshots, and commercial and lifestyle event coverage.
Start an inquiryMarketing
Brand strategy, social media, website development, consulting, and content strategy.
Start an inquiryMcKinney Weddings
Luxury but approachable wedding storytelling, produced under its own dedicated brand.
Start an inquiryEvents
Networking, professional development, educational programming, and community events.
Start an inquiryMcKinney School of Media & Marketing
Courses, workshops, corporate training, college speaking, and one-on-one coaching.
Start an inquiryCommunity & Leadership
Work rooted in the Lehigh Valley.
- Founder & CEO of McKinney Media, 2021–present
- Host and Executive Producer of The Entrepreneurs' Club Podcast
- Speaker and educator through the McKinney School of Media & Marketing
- Founder of the McKinney Media Fund, supporting community investment, educational access, and creative workforce development across the Lehigh Valley
- Marketing Director, Lovelyyfaces Spa Lounge
- Fiancé, mentor to emerging creatives and entrepreneurs, son, brother, and community volunteer, and sponsor of local community and creative initiatives
Recognition
Noticed beyond the client list.
United States Congress
Carter's work and community impact have been recognized by the United States Congress.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Carter has received recognition from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
City of Bethlehem
Carter's contributions to the Bethlehem community have been recognized by the City of Bethlehem.
Values
What the work optimizes for.
Visibility
The throughline across everything McKinney Media does: helping people, organizations, and ideas become seen clearly and accurately.
Ownership
Building institutions people can own a piece of — as clients, students, employees, or community members — not just consume.
Leadership
Leading by building the platforms, curricula, and events other people and businesses grow through.
Storytelling
Every part of the work, from weddings to corporate projects, is grounded in documentary, people-first storytelling.
Education
Teaching what he practices, through the McKinney School, speaking engagements, and the podcast.
Community Impact
Work measured in part by what it does for Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley, not only for individual clients.
Powerhouse Building
Thinking in decades and systems — a company built to outlast any single project or client relationship.
Creative Entrepreneurship
Proof that a creative practice can grow into a structured business without losing its creative core.
Selected organizations served
- Wind Creek Bethlehem
- Morgan Stanley
- B. Braun
- iHeartMedia
- NAACP
- City Center Allentown
- Penn State Lehigh Valley
- Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce