About Gabe
Meet Gabe Key
I am a professional photographer based in Apex, North Carolina, serving the Raleigh, Cary and Apex Triangle.
Short answer
GKPhoto is a photography business in Apex, North Carolina, run by Gabe Key, serving Wake County and the Triangle. Gabe trained at The East Carolinian, where his photography earned two NCCMA awards. GKeyPhoto reports serving 400+ clients. He also builds websites for local businesses at Firmkit. Sessions are all-inclusive, with edited digitals and a print release.
GKPhoto at a glance
GKPhoto, also written GK Photo or GKeyPhoto. GKeyPhoto reports serving 400+ clients.
Profile of the photographer: Gabe Key.
Looking for a session? See headshots, personal branding photos, family sessions, graduation photos, sports and events, or read the reviews and the published work. Gabe also writes at gabekey.co.
More about me
I picked up a camera at 15 and kept going. I have photographed events featuring Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris. See them on the campaign trail page.
My photo of Kamala Harris on the ECU campus earned second place at the North Carolina College Media Association awards in 2024. A 2025 NCCMA award followed. My photographs have been published in Carolina Alumni, ECU East Magazine, The Daily Reflector and Pirate Media 1. I have also photographed in England and France.
Closer to home, I photograph families, graduates, athletes and events across the Triangle. I show up prepared, I read the room and I perform under pressure, whether the subject is a Vice President or your family in a field at golden hour. Portraits arrive in 48 hours. Events and larger sessions take 2 to 3 weeks.
Gabe also founded Firmkit and writes at gabekey.co.
Behind the lens
Prepared, present and quick
A Canon R5 and a 70-200 do most of the work, and the rest is paying attention. I watch the light, I watch the people and I press the shutter when the moment turns.
Awards and credits
- 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.
What clients say
“Gabe took photos at our little league flag football games and captured all the highs and fun moments. He makes the action feel alive in every shot. If you're after awesome sports pictures, Gabe is your guy!”
“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.”
“Gabe was amazing! He directed us and made the whole experience quick and easy, but not so quick that we missed any shots. Great with our kids too. The pictures came out beautiful and we will absolutely use him again.”
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Who is Gabe Key?
Gabe Key is the photographer and owner of GKPhoto in Apex, North Carolina. He photographs headshots, families, graduates, athletes and events across Wake County and the Triangle. He learned the work at The East Carolinian, where his photography earned two North Carolina College Media Association awards. He also builds websites for local businesses at Firmkit.
Is GKPhoto the same as GKeyPhoto?
Yes. GKPhoto and GKeyPhoto are the same photography business, run by Gabe Key in Apex, North Carolina. The name is also written GK Photo or GKey Photo. The website, the Instagram account and the booking page all lead to the same business, the same price list and the same person.
Does GKPhoto have a studio?
No. GKPhoto works on location: at your office, in a park, at your home or at your event. Headshots are shot where you work or at an agreed outdoor spot. There is no walk-in studio to visit. Tell me the place you have in mind, and I check the light and the rules before the day.
Where is GKPhoto based and where does it work?
GKPhoto is based in Apex, North Carolina, and works across Wake County and the Triangle. Travel is free close to Apex and priced by distance farther out, and towns 25 to 50 miles away are booked by arrangement. The travel table on the price list shows the fee for each town.
What is included in every GKPhoto session?
Every session includes edited digital images and a print release, which is written permission to print and share your photos. Prices are published before you book: headshots start at $250, family at $225, graduation at $200 and events at $500. A 25 percent retainer reserves the date.
Has Gabe Key won photography awards?
Yes. Gabe won second place in Photography at the 2024 North Carolina College Media Association Statewide College Media Awards, and second place in Photography/Art, General Interest Magazine, in 2025. His photographs have been published in Carolina Alumni, ECU East Magazine, The Daily Reflector and Pirate Media 1.
Next step
Get in touch
Ready to book your session? Reach out and let’s plan a shoot that captures what matters to you.
Prefer to talk first? Call 919-917-3015 or see pricing.
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