Based in Apex, NC
Wake County photographer
13 Wake County places, travel fees, park permits and prices on one page.
Short answer
GKPhoto is a photography business in Apex, North Carolina, run by Gabe Key, serving all of Wake County. Travel is included in Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville and New Hill, adds $50 in Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina and Garner, and adds $100 in Wake Forest, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell and Zebulon. Every session includes edited digitals and a print release.
- Places covered
- 13 in Wake County
- Travel included
- Within 10 miles of Apex
- Permits
- Wake County free permit
- Delivery
- 48 hours for portraits
Where I work in Wake County
GKPhoto is based in Apex. Pick your town to see its photo spots, permit notes, headshot and family options and a quote.
| Town | Travel fee | Service area | Headshots | Family | Spot guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | Included | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 6 spots |
| Cary | Included | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 6 spots |
| Holly Springs | Included | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 5 spots |
| Morrisville | Included | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 3 spots |
| New Hill | Included | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 5 spots |
| Raleigh | $50 | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 9 spots |
| Fuquay-Varina | $50 | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 5 spots |
| Garner | $50 | Regular area | Headshots | Family | 4 spots |
| Wake Forest | $100 | By arrangement | Headshots | Family | 5 spots |
| Knightdale | $100 | By arrangement | Headshots | Family | 3 spots |
| Rolesville | $100 | By arrangement | Headshots | Family | 3 spots |
| Wendell | $100 | By arrangement | Headshots | Family | 3 spots |
| Zebulon | $100 | By arrangement | Headshots | Family | 3 spots |
Ask about a date
Get my price or ask about a date
Send your name and email. I reply within one business day, with the price for your town and open dates. Nothing is charged to ask.
Just outside Wake County
Four nearby places are in other counties, so they are not part of the Wake County list. They are available by arrangement.
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, with up to 30 attendees. Towns set their own rules, and some charge a fee, so check the town before you book.
| Place | Rule | Source | Read on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County Parks (Lake Crabtree, Harris Lake, Yates Mill, Robertson Millpond and others) | Registration is free. Client-based shoots need a permit reserved online for a date and time, for 1 to 3 hours, with up to 30 attendees and a maximum of 2 permits per photographer per day. Some parks restrict areas, for example around the Historic Yates Mill waterwheel. | Wake County Parks policy | October 19, 2026 |
| Holly Springs | Client-based shoots in Town parks and greenways need a Professional Photographer Permit: $25 daily or $100 annual. Display the tag and use hand-held or portable gear only. | Town of Holly Springs | October 5, 2026 |
| Raleigh | Commercial film or photography in a City of Raleigh park requires a one-year permit that covers all City of Raleigh parks. Wake County sites inside the city use the county permit. | City of Raleigh Parks | October 5, 2026 |
| Rolesville | Commercial photography in a town park needs a permit: $120 for a year, $90 for six months or $60 for a quarter. The Town replies within five business days. | Town of Rolesville | October 19, 2026 |
The Wake County permits guide covers every place listed, with the date each rule was read. Rules change, so confirm before you book.
Travel fees across Wake County
Travel is included in Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville and New Hill, adds $50 in Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina and Garner, and adds $100 in Wake Forest, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell and Zebulon. Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell, Zebulon are 25 to 50 miles from Apex, and the fee applies to the quote you see before you pay.
| Distance from Apex | Fee | Towns |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 miles | Included | Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville, New Hill |
| 10 to 25 miles | $50 | Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Pittsboro |
| 25 to 50 miles | $100 | Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Clayton, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell, Zebulon |
| Beyond 50 miles | Custom quote | Ask for a quote |
Triangle seasons
What is in bloom and color
Highlights from the 17 city guides. Timing shifts year to year, so check current conditions before you go.
Spring
- WRAL Azalea Gardens, Raleigh. The azaleas flower in spring and again in fall. Source
- Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden, Raleigh. The first roses open in late May. Source
- White Deer Park and Nature Center, Garner. The park has a wildflower meadow per the town, so spring and summer color is likely; timing not stated. Source
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. Tulips open in waves from March into early May. Source
- Eno River State Park (Fews Ford and other access areas), Durham. Pump Station Trail is known as the spring wildflower trail; rangers lead early-spring wildflower hikes. Source
- Coker Arboretum, Chapel Hill. Flowering trees and shrubs plus bulb and perennial displays; the garden says each season has something to see. Source
Summer
Fall
- WRAL Azalea Gardens, Raleigh. A second, smaller azalea bloom comes in fall. Source
- Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden, Raleigh. Late roses carry into autumn. Source
- NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. Big-headed aster blooms September to November; native shrubs give red and sumac fall color. Source
- Coker Arboretum, Chapel Hill. Fall color is listed as a seasonal feature. Source
Choose a photographer in Wake County
Use this checklist to compare any photographer, including GKPhoto.
- Published prices, so you know the total before you call.
- What is included: edited digitals and a print release.
- Permit knowledge for the park you want.
- Delivery time, such as 48 hours for portraits.
- Reviews you can verify on Google.
Start with headshots, family sessions, graduation photos or the full price list.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Which towns do you photograph in?
GKPhoto is based in Apex and photographs across Wake County: Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville, New Hill, Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell and Zebulon. Durham, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro and Clayton are available by arrangement. Ask about any other town.
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.
What happens if it rains?
Weather reschedules are always free. Most park spots have no covered area I can promise for a session, so a rain day is usually a new date. Office headshot sessions are not affected by weather, which is one reason they are popular in winter.
Do you come to my office?
Yes. A quiet room with a window or a plain wall is enough, and a conference room or an empty office works well. Tell me your address, the room and how many people need a photo, and I confirm the travel fee before you book.
Next step
Not sure if I reach you?
Send your town and date. Any travel fee is confirmed before you book.
Prefer to talk first? Call 919-917-3015 or see pricing.
Related reading
Updated