Kelly Heck at a glance…
Kelly Heck is an award-winning corporate and commercial photographer based in Central Maryland, specializing in professional headshots, editorial and branding portraiture, commercial photography, and corporate events.
Based: Central Maryland
Serving: Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, & Beyond
Photographer since: 2002
Full-time studio: Since 2015
Education: Savannah College of Art & Design
Specialties: Headshots • Branding • Editorial Portraiture • Events • Product Photography • Consumer Photography
Available for: Interviews • Podcasts • Speaking • Expert Commentary • Photography Assignments
AVAILABLE FOR EXPERT COMMENTARY ON
- Why professional headshots matter
- How photography affects trust and credibility
- Personal branding photography
- Preparing employees for corporate headshots
- Photography ROI for small businesses
- Building a useful commercial image library
- Looking natural and confident on camera
- Event photography and visual storytelling
- Running a creative business
- Photography careers / entrepreneurship
SHORT BIO
Kelly Heck is an award-winning corporate and commercial photographer based in Central Maryland, specializing in professional headshots, editorial and branding portraiture, corporate events, and custom commercial imagery. A Savannah College of Art and Design graduate and professional photographer since 2002, Kelly helps businesses and professionals create authentic, strategic imagery designed to build connection, credibility, and lasting value.
FULL BIO
Kelly Heck is an award-winning corporate and commercial photographer based in Central Maryland, specializing in professional headshots, editorial and personal branding portraiture, corporate events, product photography, and custom image libraries for businesses and organizations.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Kelly began her professional photography career in 2002 and has spent more than two decades developing an approach centered on authenticity, connection, and purposeful visual storytelling. Her work goes beyond creating beautiful photographs: she helps clients think strategically about the images their businesses actually need, how those images will be used, and how to create a versatile body of photography that continues delivering value long after the session is over.
Known for putting people at ease in front of the camera, Kelly works with everyone from individual professionals and small-business owners to corporate teams and organizations. Her relaxed, collaborative approach is especially valuable for people who don’t consider themselves comfortable or naturally photogenic.
Kelly is also passionate about photography education and the business value of professional imagery. Through speaking, interviews, educational content, and her PHOTO ROI podcast, she explores how thoughtful photography can strengthen brands, communicate expertise, build trust, and help businesses make more meaningful connections with the people they serve.
How To Contact Kelly:
kelly@kellyheckphotography.com
443-340-6317
Kelly’s Promo Video:
Quotes from Kelly:
“People often start their sessions by telling me what they hate—their smile, their chin, being photographed, sometimes simply the way they look in pictures. I want them to leave talking about what they love.”
“So many of the people I photograph spend their lives doing excellent work behind the scenes. Sometimes my job is simply to turn the spotlight toward them and help them feel comfortable standing in it.”
“Professional photography shouldn’t simply make your business look good. The right images should work for you—building trust, creating connection, strengthening your brand, and giving you something valuable to market with again and again.”
“You don’t have to love having your picture taken to love your picture.”
“Don’t start with, ‘What pictures should we take?’ Start with, ‘Where do we need photographs?’ When you understand how the images will be used, you can create photographs with purpose instead of simply creating more content.”
Featured Quotes from KHP Clients:
“I have worked with probably a dozen or so photographers over the past 30 years, and Kelly is the best. I would say her superpower is putting people at ease and working with subjects with various personalities. From our sales team to our CEO and executive team, Kelly quickly establishes a bond with anyone and it sets her far above the rest.” — Dave Kelley, Cowan Systems, LLC
“The photos have been a very useful asset to us! I’ve used them on our LED sign out front, an ad in the Baltimore Real Producers, and our newsletter. I love having them instead of stock photos. I’ll be using them for more ads and web in the future!” — Jillian Brown, Atlantic Blue
“Every detail was thought of, and the entire process was smooth. Kelly delivered a superior product with no headaches, prior to our deadline.” — Dillon Miller, ACTION Products
“She had such a pleasant demeanor and was able to confidently direct me during the shoot, which in turn made me so comfortable and I was really able to trust that she was getting very flattering angles and positioning. My photos came out PERFECT.” — Nicole Linton, Cerity Partners
“I was amazed at how great the photos turned out. I’ve gotten so many compliments on them! Added (and unexpected) bonus – the experience was a huge confidence booster!” — Stefani Pautz Stephenson, Ed.D.
Visit my Testimonials Webpage for hundreds of additional quotes from happy KHP Clients.
Approved Logos:
All logo files provided below are provided in .png format with transparent backgrounds.
Approved Portraits / Headshots and Behind-The-Scenes:
All photo files provided below are provided in .jpg format, medium to high resolution, and print-ready. Click on any image to view the photograph full-screen. Photographs are displayed roughly in order from most recent to oldest.
Kelly’s Podcasts:
PHOTO ROI Podcast
Great photography should do more than look good—it should work for you.
PHOTO ROI explores the real-world value of professional photography and the many ways thoughtful imagery can strengthen a business, build trust, create connection, and support marketing long after the photo session is over.
Hosted by photographer Kelly Heck, the podcast brings together practical insights, client experiences, and conversations with fellow professionals to explore how businesses can plan, create, and use photography with greater purpose.
PHOTO ROI reflects a philosophy at the heart of Kelly’s work: the value of a photograph isn’t just in the image itself, but in everything you can do with it.
PHOTO ROI (“Return On Investment”)
News & Awards & Publications
2026 Chamber Chat - June 2026
Kelly Heck was a guest on the Carroll County Chamber Chat Podcast, Episode #460: Photographer Extraordinaire, Kelly Heck.
2026 Voyage Baltimore - April 2026
Kelly Heck was interviewed on Voyage Baltimore.
2023 GoSolo - January 2023
Kelly Heck was interviewed on GoSolo.
2022 Starter Story - July 2022
Kelly Heck was interviewed on Starter Story.
2022 Canvas Rebel - November 2022
Kelly Heck was interviewed on Canvas Rebel.
2021 VoyageBaltimore - May 2021
Kelly Heck was featured in VoyageBaltimore.
2017 Kelly Heck Presents at Ignite Carroll 6 - April 2017
Kelly presented a five-minute presentation at Ignite Carroll 6 to a live audience Posing Dos & Don'ts: A Photographer's Selfie Guide to Hiding 10-20 Pounds.
2015 Kelly Heck Presents at Ignite Carroll 4 - April 2015
Kelly presented a five-minute presentation at Ignite Carroll 4 to a live audience on the history, health benefits, and how-to of juggling.
2020 Maryland Tourism Coalition — Best Printed Promotional Material - March 2020
Photography by Kelly Heck for Carroll County Tourism's award-winning Barn Quilt Trail.
2018 Carroll's Best Announced - September 2018
Kelly Heck Photography was awarded BEST PHOTOGRAPHER in Carroll's Best 2018 awards and was named Honorable Mention 4 additional years.
PDNedu Magazine Competition & Publication - 2008
Photography series, "Bird Series: It's Not Because I'm Beautiful", won second in student competition and publication in the Spring 2008 issue. Three images of the series were featured in the magazine. Learn more about the annual competition at contest.pdnedu.com.
College Photographer of the Year Competition (CPOY) - 2007
Photograph Red Bellied Woodpecker, won Bronze in the Illustration category and was exhibited online through the year. Learn more about the annual CPOY competition at cpoy.org.
2026 Chamber Chat - June 2026
Kelly Heck was a guest on the Carroll County Chamber Chat Podcast, Episode #460: Photographer Extraordinaire, Kelly Heck.
2026 Voyage Baltimore - April 2026
Kelly Heck was interviewed on Voyage Baltimore.
2023 GoSolo - January 2023
Kelly Heck was interviewed on GoSolo.
2022 Starter Story - July 2022
Kelly Heck was interviewed on Starter Story.
2022 Canvas Rebel - November 2022
Kelly Heck was interviewed on Canvas Rebel.
2021 VoyageBaltimore - May 2021
Kelly Heck was featured in VoyageBaltimore.
2020 Carroll's Best Announced - September 2020
Kelly Heck Photography was awarded HONORABLE MENTION for BEST PHOTOGRAPHER in Carroll's Best 2020 awards
2020 Maryland Tourism Coalition — Best Printed Promotional Material - March 2020
Photography by Kelly Heck for Carroll County Tourism's award-winning Barn Quilt Trail.
2019 ArtsyShark Guest Instructor - September 2019
Kelly Heck was invited to develop an online course in partnership with Carolyn Edlund of ArtsyShark.com.
Stay tuned for the online course launch date!
2019 Carroll's Best Announced - September 2019
Kelly Heck Photography was awarded HONORABLE MENTION for BEST PHOTOGRAPHER in Carroll's Best 2019 awards
2019 Chamber Chat - July 2019
Kelly Heck was a guest on the Carroll County Chamber Chat Podcast, Episode #112: Kelly Heck, Photographer.
2019 Kelly Heck Photography Launches New Website - July 2019
Carroll County Times Press Release: CLICK HERE
Baltimore Sun Press Release: CLICK HERE
2018 Carroll's Best Announced - September 2018
Kelly Heck Photography was awarded BEST PHOTOGRAPHER in Carroll's Best 2018 awards
Member’s Exhibition, Carroll County Arts Council, Westminster MD - February 2018
2-month group-exhibition called "There's a Monster in my Thrift Store Painting"
2017 Carroll's Best Announced - September 2017
Kelly Heck Photography was awarded Honorable Mention in Carroll's Best 2017 awards
2017 Kelly Heck Presents at Ignite Carroll 6 - April 2017
Kelly presented a five-minute presentation at Ignite Carroll 6 to a live audience Posing Dos & Don'ts: A Photographer's Selfie Guide to Hiding 10-20 Pounds.
Member’s Exhibition, Carroll County Arts Council, Westminster MD - September 2017
1-month group-exhibition included "Antelope Canyon"
2016 Carroll's Best Announced - September 2016
Kelly Heck Photography was awarded Honorable Mention in Carroll's Best 2016 awards!
Biz Minded Muses - Launched August, 2015 to 2018
Myself and two local business women have launched a podcast called Biz Minded Muses. We are 3 savvy women who love to get together and share our own business secrets to help others achieve business success! You can learn more about us and our focus at www.BizMindedMuses.com and subscribe to our podcast for free on iTunes and Stitcher!
2015 Kelly Heck Launches Website GURL - May 2015
Carroll County Times Press Release: CLICK HERE
2015 Kelly Heck Presents at Ignite Carroll 4 - April 2015
Kelly presented a five-minute presentation at Ignite Carroll 4 to a live audience on the history, health benefits, and how-to of juggling.
Carroll County Barn Quilt Exhibit - 01/2015 to 04/2015
Sandy and Susan of the Carroll County Arts Council to installed 18 beautifully printed and framed images of the Carroll County Barn Quilts, photos by Kelly Heck, in the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis, Maryland. The showing was to help our delegation understand that projects like this are a result of supporting tourism and the arts with a goal that they’ll continue to support CCAC. Printing + Framing by Gizmos Art. Project funded by Carroll County Tourism.
Holiday of Trees - 12/2014
Kelly donated a framed photograph to the Taneytown History Museum for the 2014 Holiday of Trees RAFFLE PRIZES!
Con Artists Group Exhibit - 02/23/2014 to 03/23/2014
Exhibit at Carroll Community College in the Great Hall and Langdon Galleries, featuring work by the Photography Faculty. Read about it in the Carroll County Times! The exhibit features four photographs by Kelly Heck, featuring Alaska and Honeybees.
Exhibit at Brunswick Public Library - 02/01/2014 to 04/01/2014
Featuring a variety of works, including "Beautiful Silence" and a number of pieces from Alaska and of Honeybees!
Exhibit at Gunner's Grille at Taneytown - 11/12/2013 to 02/28/2014
Exhibit featured multiple works by Kelly Heck, including "Beautiful Silence" and a selection of photographs from Alaska.
Exhibit at Thurmont Public Library - 08/07/2013 to 10/25/2013
Exhibit featured a variety of Kelly's personal work from Alaska and other nature work.
Images of the Civil War Exhibit - 06/13/2013 to 08/06/2013
The Carroll County Arts Council featured two of Kelly's photographs taken at a 2013 reenactment.
10x10 Exhibit + Celebration - 05/18/2013 to 06/12/2013
The Carroll County Arts Council celebrated their 10th Anniversary by hosting a 10x10 Show. Kelly is showed an acrylic painting.
The Delaplaine’s Community Supported Art Project - September 2012
Kelly Heck was one of 9 artists selected to produce 25 works of art for 25 investors and supporters of the arts. Kelly's pieces showcased 5 different photographs from Alaska! This CSA annual program is arranged by The Delaplaine of Frederick, Maryland.
Exhibit at Urbana Public Library - 09/09/2012 to 12/29/2012
Exhibit featured Kelly's series, "Beautiful Silence".
Exhibit at Gunner's Grille, April 1st - 09/08/2012 to Fall 2012
Kelly Heck was featured in an exhibit, "Beautiful Silence", at Gunner's Grille in Taneytown, Maryland.
Exhibit at New Windsor State Bank - 01/30/2012 to 04/30/2012
A selection of Kelly Heck's photography was featured at New Windsor State Bank in Taneytown, Maryland.
Solo Show at The Delaplaine - 01/28/2012 to 03/25/2012
Kelly Heck was featured in a solo show, "Beautiful Silence", at The Delaplaine in Frederick, Maryland.
Guest Artist Exhibition at Off Track Art, Westminster, Maryland - 05/04/2011 to 06/25/2011
Kelly Heck was the guest artist at Off Track Art, an artist Cooperative in downtown historic Westminster, MD. Kelly featured a selection of photography from her series "Beautiful Silence". Visit Kevin Dayhoff Art Online to read an article about the event!
Juried Exhibition, Art Kitchen & City Without Walls, Newark NJ - 12/2015 to 2/01/2011
2-month “I Like Birds” group-exhibition included three pieces from "Bird Series: It's Not Because I’m Beautiful".
Carroll Camera Club Exhibition, Town Mall, Westminster MD - 1/20 to 1/23/2011
3-day group-exhibition included four pieces.
Member’s Exhibition, The Delapaine, Frederick MD - 11/2010
1-month group-exhibition included Natural Gradation from "Beautiful Silence" series.
Carroll Camera Club Exhibition>, Carroll County Arts Council, Westminster MD - 10/2010
1-month “As I See It” group-exhibition included Natural Gradation from "Beautiful Silence" series.
Juried Photography Exhibition, The Delapaine, Frederick MD - 10/2010
1-month juried-exhibition included Dust at Dusk from "Beautiful Silence" series.
Member’s Exhibition, Carroll County Arts Council, Westminster MD - 2009
1-month group-exhibition included "Midnight on the Pier"
Fresh Faces Exhibition, Carroll County Arts Council, Westminster MD - 2009
1-month group-exhibition of (6) select pieces of "Phobia Series". Selachophobia was selected for advertising publication in Carroll Magazine and other CCAC promotional materials.
"It’s Not Because I’m Beautiful" Exhibition, TruSpace (Desoto Row), Savannah GA - 2008
1-month solo-exhibition of "Bird Series: It's Not Because I'm Beautiful".
Silverworks Publication & Exhibitions, Savannah GA - 2008
Photograph, Red Bellied Woodpecker from "Bird Series: It's Not Because I'm Beautiful", on front-cover of the Savannah College of Art & Design Photography Department annual publication of student work, Silverworks. Separate works were exhibited in the 2007 and 2008 Silverworks exhibitions.
PDNedu Magazine Competition & Publication - 2008
Photography series, "Bird Series: It's Not Because I'm Beautiful", won second in student competition and publication in the Spring 2008 issue. Three images of the series were featured in the magazine. Learn more about the annual competition at contest.pdnedu.com.
College Photographer of the Year Competition (CPOY) - 2007
Photograph Red Bellied Woodpecker, won Bronze in the Illustration category and was exhibited online through the year. Learn more about the annual CPOY competition at cpoy.org.