Apex · Cary · Raleigh · Wake County
Wake County photographer for headshots and families
Headshots, family sessions, graduation, sports and events across Wake County and the Triangle. Prices are listed.
Headshots from $250, family from $225.
Short answer
GKPhoto is a photography business in Apex, North Carolina, run by Gabe Key, serving Wake County and the Triangle. Headshots start at $250, family sessions at $225, graduation at $200, athlete sessions at $225 and events at $500. Every session includes edited digitals and a print release.
Choose a session
What do you need photographed?
Not sure which one? Which session fits me? A short quiz, free, no email.
Why work with me
I show up prepared, read the moment and deliver images you keep.
Every session is all-inclusive, with edited digitals and a print release. I direct the whole way through, so it feels easy even if you have never done a photoshoot.
The work
Pick your story
Pricing
All-inclusive, up front
Ask about a date
Not ready to pick a date? Get my price
Send your name and email, and what you want photographed. I reply within one business day with the price for your town and open dates. Nothing is charged to ask.
What clients say
Five stars, in their words
- ★★★★★
Gabe was amazing! He was able to direct us and made the whole experience very quick and easy. But not so quick that we didn’t get all of the shots that we wanted – he was also great with our kids. The pictures came out beautiful, and we will absolutely be using him again! Highly recommend!
- ★★★★★
Gabe was an absolute pleasure to work with! He was incredibly kind, professional, and accommodating - especially when he managed to fit me in last minute, which I truly appreciated. He photographed my daughter’s second birthday, and I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out.
It was a cowgirl-themed party, and he captured every detail so beautifully - from the decorations to the special little moments that made the day so memorable. The photos perfectly reflect the joy and personality of the celebration.
These are memories I will cherish forever. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a talented and reliable photographer!
- ★★★★★
My senior photos with Gabe came out amazing! His pricing is affordable, the photos matched the specific style I envisioned, and he guided us through the process which was very helpful. His communication was consistent and professional, and he created a fun and comfortable experience for the shoot. I would highly recommend GKPhoto to anyone seeking high quality photos/portraits!
- ★★★★★
I recently had the pleasure of working with Gabe whose talent truly exceeded my expectations. His eye for composition and ability to capture the essence of the moment resulted in stunning, timeless images. Not only was he professional and attentive to detail, but his creative approach added a unique and artistic flair to the photos. I highly recommend him for anyone seeking exceptional quality and a memorable experience.
Source: Google Business Profile, 24 reviews, 5.0 average, as of 2026-10-05.
Wake County
A photographer near you
Based in Apex. Pick a town for its photo spots, permit notes and prices, or see the full Wake County list.
Meet Gabe
The photographer behind the camera
GKPhoto is a photography business in Apex, North Carolina, run by Gabe Key, serving Wake County and the Triangle. Trained at The East Carolinian, where my work earned two NCCMA photography awards.
Awards and credits
Recognized, and verifiable
- NCCMA 2024, second placePhotography, Statewide College Media Awards, Large Campuses. “Kamala Harris makes her mark in ECU visit.” Press release
- NCCMA 2025, second placePhotography/Art, General Interest Magazine, East Carolina University. “Seb & Newt.” ECU Student Affairs
- The East Carolinian, Pirate Media 1Photo credits on 27 stories and 5 galleries, plus 9 standalone images, September 2024 to February 2026. Pirate Media 1
- The Daily ReflectorFour photos in “The East Carolinian celebrates a century of student news,” May 18, 2025. Read it
- Carolina AlumniPortrait in “Old School,” July 15, 2026. Read it
- ECU East MagazinePhoto credit, “A journalism journey,” June 27, 2025.
How it works
Four simple steps
Fill out the form
Takes two minutes. Tell me the session type, your vibe and a few date options.
Call or meet up
A quick 15-minute call or a coffee. We settle the vision, the location and what to wear.
Picture time
Show up as yourself. I handle the direction. Sessions run one to two hours with no stiff posing.
Your gallery
A private online gallery, fully edited and full resolution, ready to download, share and print.
Published
Campaign trail 2024
8 events across North Carolina, from Greenville to Charlotte. Two are published in The East Carolinian and one earned an NCCMA award.
Session matcher
Three taps to the right gallery
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much is a photographer in Wake County?
GKPhoto prices are published. Headshots start at $250, graduation at $200, family at $225, athlete sessions at $225 and events at $500. Those are prices before NC sales tax, and the quote builder on the price list shows your exact total with travel and tax.
How do I book and pay?
Pick a date on the booking page. A 25 percent retainer reserves the date and is non-refundable. The balance is due on the day of the session. NC sales tax of about 6.89 percent is added automatically, and quotes are shown before tax. You can also call or send a message first.
How much is the travel fee?
Travel is included within 10 miles of Apex: Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville and New Hill. Towns 10 to 25 miles away, such as Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Pittsboro, add $50. Towns 25 to 50 miles away, such as Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Clayton, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell and Zebulon, add $100 and are by arrangement. Beyond 50 miles is a custom quote. The fee shows in your quote before you pay.
When do I get my headshots?
Two days after the session, in a private online gallery. The link comes by email, and every retouched image is ready to download, share and print. If you need them the next morning, rush delivery is an option. Tell me about any deadline, such as a new job or a launch, when you book.
Do I need a permit for a photo session in Wake County?
Wake County Parks requires a free online permit for client-based photo shoots. You reserve a date and a window of 1 to 3 hours, and carry the printed permit. Towns set their own rules: Holly Springs and Raleigh require a permit, and Rolesville charges for one. The permits guide lists each source.
Next step
Let’s capture what matters
Book your session today and let’s make images you will keep for years. Serving Apex, Cary, Raleigh and all of Wake County.
Prefer to talk first? Call 919-917-3015 or see pricing.
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