What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Kelly Heck Photography

Name: Kelly Heck Photography
Address: 3300 Whippoorwill Drive, Taneytown, MD, 21787, US
Telephone: (443) 340-6317
Price range: $$$$

Home
United States
Taneytown, MD
Kelly Heck Photography

Need a creative portrait for publication, or headshots for your team? Family photos? Call me! Please contact me for details!

Visit us online at https://www.kellyheckphotography.com/

Kelly Heck Photography provides photo & portrait services to commercial, corporate, & consumer clients. For more info, visit https://www.kellyheckphotography.com/links/

- POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES -

One-On-One Portrait Sessions
Starting at $300.00 - $500.00

Staff Headshot Sessions
Starting at $500.00

Corporate, Private, & Special Eve

nt Coverage
Starting at $650.00
*501c3's - Ask about our "Earn Back Your Investment Program" and Special Rates for 501c3 Non-Profits!

*Prices and inclusions subject to change.

09/03/2026

Yesterday I was back with a longtime client, photographing new team members, updating a few familiar faces, and creating images for the second issue of their internal company magazine.

And I got to see the first issue in print!!!

My photograph is on the cover. Most of the photography inside is mine too. And there is just something REALLY satisfying about holding a finished piece like this in your hands and seeing how the photographs we create actually get put to work.

We wrapped up the shoot, I looked out the windows of this giant 10-story office building, and saw black clouds rolling in.

I could have made it to my car before the rain started.

But instead of leaving, I asked ChatGPT to scour the building and tell me which neighboring businesses might actually be good potential clients for Kelly Heck Photography.

It gave me a list.

And then came the hard part...

Actually walking into their offices.

I HATE soliciting. Actually, I don't do it.

At the first office, there wasn't even anyone at the reception desk. I timidly walked in... I could see the back of one person's head and another guy sprawled way back in his chair down the hall with his eyes shut.

So I gave a soft little, "Hey there?"

And then basically broke the news:

Hi. Sorry. I'm soliciting. 😂

But I introduced myself, explained that I was photographing one of their neighbors today, handed them my card, and showed them this magazine as a real-life example of what I'd been working on just a few floors down.

And you know what?

They were nice.

The ice broke.

So I tried another office.

And another.

By then, the rain was coming down SIDEWAYS, so really, what choice did I have? Certainly couldn't take all my camera gear outside.

Some conversations were quick. Some were warm. A couple people even suggested other businesses down their hall that I should introduce myself to.

By the time I was finally leaving, I realized I hadn't taken my ceremonial post-shoot selfie.

So I stopped on the second-floor balcony, pulled out the magazine, set up my camera and a single light...

…and a woman came out of the office across the way and told me I needed to give her my card before I got on the elevator.

😂😂😂

After nervously barging into offices asking people to take my card, somebody came looking for ME to get one.

We talked for quite a while.

Then another guy tried to get on one of the elevators I was blocking with all my photography gear. Naturally, I struck up a conversation with him.

"It looks like you know what you're doing," he said.

I stopped the elevator door.

"CAN I GIVE YOU A BUSINESS CARD?!"

He missed that elevator.

But we had a great 1-minute conversation before he caught the next one.

Then I finally started taking my selfie.

Except when you set an intervalometer to take a photograph every minute with professional flashes firing, everyone in an office building starts wondering what is happening.

A construction crew came out.

The security guard downstairs started asking questions.

People thought maybe the flashes were related to the thunderstorm outside.

Nope.

Just Kelly Heck Photography flashing the heck out of the second floor. 📸😂

I walked into that first office feeling awkward as all.

I walked out having met a whole bunch of new people.

Maybe none of them ever call me.

Maybe one does.

But today I had a choice between running through the rain to my car, or staying dry and doing something that made me a little nervous.

I'm really glad I stayed inside.

08/31/2026

Last night, I snuggled Charlie to sleep for the last time before he became a full-time student.

We didn't make a huge production out of it. We made Raggedy Robins for his lunchbox, took a bath, put on jammies, and read way too many books. We talked about math, because lately this kid can fit a math problem into literally any available silence.

Eventually, his little body got still.

"Mama?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared about school tomorrow."

"That's okay."

I told him that being scared gives us a chance to pull out our bravery. And every time we use our bravery, our confidence gets a little bigger.

A few minutes later, he was asleep.

🥹

Today, he climbed onto his school bus and started full-time Pre-K.

I've been home with this little boy for four years. We've filled those years with rocks and flowers and books and adventures and snuggles and ridiculous conversations and ordinary days when we did absolutely nothing important.

And now his world gets bigger.

There will be conversations I don't hear. Friendships that are entirely his. Things he'll learn that I didn't teach him. Jokes I'll only hear about afterward. Hours and hours of his little life that I won't be there to witness.

That's exactly what's supposed to happen.

I know I'm not the only parent standing at a bus stop, preschool door, kindergarten classroom, college dorm—or wherever your particular version of letting go happens—feeling incredibly proud while also wanting to grab your baby and run the other direction.

This is the deal.

We spend years building their confidence, their curiosity, their bravery and their independence...
.. so that someday they're brave enough to let go of our hand and walk away from us and start building a life of their own.

So here's to all of us letting go a little bit this year.

And to my brave little Pre-K kid:

Your world just got bigger.

Go fill it up. 🥰

08/27/2026

If you missed the latest KHP Newsletter, you missed a pretty good article too... What Should I Wear for Professional Photos?

Bright colors are bad. Everyone on the team should coordinate. Patterns are a no-no. You need to dress more formally for professional photos...

Do you really, though?

“What should I wear?” is one of the most common questions I get before a photo session—and my answer has a lot less to do with following rules than you might think.

Yes, there are things that photograph better than others (and a few sneaky things that can cause problems on camera), but great wardrobe choices aren't about making everyone look the same or stripping away personality.

I just updated my complete wardrobe guide with what I actually want my clients to know before picture day—from bold colors and patterns to fit, layers, team coordination, makeup, grooming, and those tiny details that are surprisingly easy to forget.

Before your next headshot, branding session, or team photo day, give this one a read.

Click this link to read the full article: https://www.kellyheckphotography.com/what-to-wear-for-business-photos-for-you-your-entire-team/

08/26/2026

I don't get to see this very often. 🥹

Most of the photographs I create live on screens.

They become LinkedIn profiles and website banners. They show up on business cards, in annual reports, on social media, in advertisements, and tucked into all sorts of places where businesses need to tell their stories.

That's the nature of commercial photography.

But earlier this summer, I got to create something a little different.

Angela booked a formal portrait session because her husband, John, had always dreamed of having a portrait taken in his military uniform with the love of his life beside him.

We already shared the story of their session. We talked about John's lifetime of service, the meaning behind that uniform, and the fun afternoon we spent creating this portrait together.

And then Angela sent me this. 😍

It's printed.

It's matted.

It's framed beautifully.

And it's hanging in their home.

There's something incredibly special about seeing a photograph leave my computer and become an actual piece of someone's home. Something they'll walk past every day. Something their family will see for years. Something that, someday, may belong to another generation.

Business photography doesn't give me many opportunities to see my work this way.

So when it does?

Man, it feels good.

And I can't think of a more deserving photograph to have made it to the wall. 💛

08/23/2026

Earlier this summer, my friend Victoria asked me if I'd come watch her son's softball team play.

Oh... and would I mind bringing my camera?

Her son plays with Special Olympics Carroll County, and four teams were getting together to compete for first place. Victoria mentioned that they rarely get really good photographs from the games, and she knew how much having them would mean to the athletes and their families—not to mention giving the organization some great images to use for marketing.

So I came.

I cheered.

And, naturally, I took WAY more photos than I intended to. 😂

I bounced between three baseball fields, trying to make sure I photographed athletes from all four teams. And since everyone was already together, I invited each team to gather for a team photo too.

I wasn't there on assignment. I wasn't busting my butt trying to cover every single play.

I was just having fun.

But I did want to make sure everyone was represented.

Because inclusion and participation matter to me—and if you've ever met Victoria, you know she is one of the fiercest cheerleaders for both.

There's something really special about watching athletes get to compete, hearing their families cheering from the sidelines, and seeing just how much JOY can fit onto a few softball fields on a summer day.

And apparently, I got to participate too.

At one point, Victoria's 16yr old son decided to demonstrate exactly how strong he is by picking me completely up off the ground and spinning me around like a rag doll. 🤣

For about half a second, I considered trying to wiggle my way down.

Then I thought...

You know what? Just let it happen.
So I threw my arms out and yelled...
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" 🤣🤣🤣

Sometimes you show up with your camera to make sure other people feel seen.
And sometimes you get picked up and spun around a softball field.

Both are pretty great ways to spend a summer day. 💛

Learn more about Special Olympics Carroll County and the incredible athletes they serve at socrathletes.org.

08/21/2026

I got my cardio in at this photo shoot.

I was back with a longtime client—a busy medical practice with a team of six physicians I photographed years ago, before I became a mom. It was finally time for some updates: new headshots, environmental portraits, and group photos.

Except... I misjudged my travel time.

By the time I pulled into the parking lot, I was already about 10 minutes past when we were supposed to START shooting. 😬

It's incredibly rare for me to be late to a job.

And while I was pretty sure I'd recommended setting aside two hours for this project, this incredibly busy team had blocked off ONE.

By the time I unloaded, hauled everything upstairs, and got set up...

We had about 30 minutes.

LET'S DO THIS.

Patients were already beginning to arrive. One of the physicians needed to get to their other office lickety-split. And this team of doctors is only all together at one location one day a week—which, as it turned out, wasn't even today.

So we improvised.

While we waited for everyone to arrive, I started pulling physicians one at a time for environmental portraits in their courtyard.

As soon as all six were there: individual portraits? CHECK. Group photo? CHECK.

Then we raced back upstairs and inside, where my light gray backdrop was waiting, and knocked out everyone's traditional headshot.

DONE.

I was sweaty. I was out of breath. It wasn't even particularly hot outside, but Maryland humidity + hauling gear + a ticking clock will do it. 🥵

And somehow, in the middle of all that controlled chaos, I kept hearing things like, "You have such a professional eye."

They were delighted.

And I was thinking, PLEASE LET THESE PHOTOS LOOK AS GOOD AS EVERYONE FEELS RIGHT NOW. 😂

One of my favorite parts was looking up during the courtyard portraits and seeing members of the team watching us from the balcony—teasing their doctors, complimenting them, and snapping behind-the-scenes photos.

Including another fabulous "other" Kelly!

Other Kelly, THANK YOU for capturing me in action with your leadership team. I don't have those photos yet, but I can't wait to see what you caught from up there!

After everyone scattered, I thought I was finally alone, so naturally I took a few photographic records of my survival... including one of me jokingly collapsing onto my light stand.

Except...

I WASN'T ALONE. 😂

One of my subjects caught me in the act, which explains the last photo.

Thirty minutes.
Six doctors.
Environmental portraits.
Group photos.
Headshots.
One very sweaty photographer.

WE DID IT. 🙌 📸

08/15/2026

I'm embarrassingly behind on sharing this photo shoot... but this one is near and dear to my heart. ❤️

I've been photographing Kim and the Taneytown Dance Center family for well over a decade.

If you've ever driven through downtown Taneytown, Maryland, you've probably seen some of our work without even realizing it.

Taneytown Dance Center sits right on the corner at the square (Rt. 140 & Rt. 194), with that beautiful facade of glass. And hanging right there inside are more than a dozen big, beautiful black-and-white canvas portraits we've created together over the years.

I LOVE that wall. The wall of dance instructors.

But even more, I love what it represents.

Kim's dancers come to her as little kids. They grow up in that studio. And some of them eventually "graduate"... only to come right back as instructors themselves.

One of Kim's former little dancers now has little dancers of her own taking classes there.

Talk about building a family through your business.

This photo shoot was actually supposed to be much bigger. Kim and I had dreamed up all sorts of beautiful concepts for her whole team, but that morning, one of her team members became very ill.

Kim was going to push through and make the whole thing happen anyway because she felt like she had to.

So I called her.

"Kim. We don't have to do this."

Getting everyone's schedules aligned is HARD. Rescheduling wouldn't be convenient. But none of that mattered.

We could wait. However long it took.

Instead, we chiseled the session down to what made sense that day.

I brought my classic black backdrop into the studio, photographed one of Kim's newly graduated instructors, gave another longtime team member an updated headshot... and then sent those lovely young ladies on their way.

And then it was just Kim and me.

And THAT is when things got funky. 😍

Kim told me she wanted portraits with a little Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick energy.

Ummmm... YES PLEASE.

I cannot adequately describe how giddy I was creating these photographs. We played. We experimented. I even intentionally incorporated pieces of my photography setup into some of the images. A few four-letter words of excitement may have slipped out - oops!

For as bold and creative as these portraits are, though, they're completely Kim.

Grace. Love. Acceptance. Joy.

She has created a place where generations of dancers have grown up feeling those things, and I feel incredibly lucky that I've gotten to document a little piece of that story along the way.

And someday very soon, I hope my littles Charlie and Lyra will be in Kim's studio too... twinkling their little toes and experiencing some of the love and magic she has given so many other kids over the years.

Oh—and see that first silly photo of me?

Kim did one of her poses here in this chair.

And she ROCKED it.

Thank you Kim for snapping these actions shots! Love you friend. 😘💛📸

08/13/2026

Today was the very first Leading Ladies Summit, and I have a feeling it won't be the last.

Created by Barbara Ringrose, founder of W.O.W. Women Optimizing Women, the summit brought together an incredible group of women at Sunday Morning at Savannah's in New Windsor for a day that somehow managed to be relaxing, energizing, educational, and just plain FUN.

There was yoga. Live music. Meditation. Dance fitness. Breakout sessions. Speakers. Breakfast and lunch. Raffle prizes. A beautiful little shop tucked into Savannah's massage parlor. And plenty of time to simply connect.

For some women, today was a chance to slow down and get grounded.

For others, it was an opportunity to learn and grow.
And for some of us... it was a little bit of everything.

Shoutout to Joanna Compton - I joined her breakout session about stress and ways to let it go. We explored calming tools that engaged all five senses: bergamot lotion, acupuncture rings, aromatic herbs like sage and lavender, breathing exercises, and more.

It was such a lovely little reset from everyday life.

My official job today was actually pretty simple: **take the group photo.** 😉 📸

Every participant. Every volunteer. Every person who helped make the magic happen.

I set my camera's interval timer, ran into place... and got to be IN the group photo with everyone else.

As the photographer, that's not something I get to do very often.

And apparently I was having a particularly "cute" day, because multiple women told me so. 😂 I'll take it!

Of course, putting a camera in my hands and expecting me to take *only* one photograph is completely unrealistic.

So I couldn't resist capturing a few extra moments along the way.

Here's a little peek at what the first-ever Leading Ladies Summit felt like.

Congratulations, Barbara. You created something really special today. 💛

Here are some of the women who made today possible:

Barbara Ringrose - WOW - Women Optimizing Women, LLC
Savannah Mitchell - Sunday Morning At Savannah's
Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl - Making Key Changes, LLC
Dr. Noelia Rodriguez - Anew Metabolic Health
Tricia Soderstrom - Tricia Soderstrom, Digital Operations Specialist
Tina Miller - Be Kind Sign
Joanna Compton - Growing Partners Landscape Design
Julie Mulhern - Love Yourself
Deanna Dovel - Discovering Wellness with Deanna
Joni Rampolla - Nutrition Coaching 4U
Sandy Soyke - Sandy Bottom's Crystal Creations
Wendy Vaught Weiner - Flowers By Wendy Carol
Marie Triplett - Grounded Warrior Movement
Lauren Hill - Lauren Hill
Kelly Heck - Kelly Heck Photography

07/31/2026

This was an amazing event to document!! 💛📸💛

07/25/2026

Yesterday, Angela was launching T-shirts out of a cannon at Shelter Systems Limiteds' 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Today... she looked absolutely regal beside her husband, John.

Angela actually booked this portrait session nearly a year ago as a gift for John, who had always dreamed of having a formal portrait taken in his military uniform with the love of his life.

And what a life of service it represents.

John served as a U.S. Army Green Beret with the Special Forces—a unit established in 1952 and later championed by President John F. Kennedy, who made the iconic green beret an official symbol of these elite soldiers. Their mission isn't simply to fight wars. It's to train, advise, and empower allied forces around the world. A small team of just twelve Green Berets can multiply the strength of an entire military.

John's service took him to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Central America before continuing a lifetime of service as a Baltimore City SWAT officer.

But my favorite story of the afternoon came from Angela.

She smiled and said she feels like time almost stopped when John finally retired. Like she'd stopped aging overnight.

Imagine the weight of wondering if your partner would make it home safe. Retirement didn't just end a career—it lifted a burden she'd quietly carried for decades.

That's the kind of love you can feel standing next to them.

As for the portrait itself...

One of the things I love about my job is proving that I don't need a giant studio to create beautiful portraits. Corporate clients regularly hand me a small office, a conference room, or even a storage closet and say, "Can you make this work?"

John and Angela's quaint dining room became our studio.

The space was tight, but the architecture worked in our favor. I tucked a light stand into one corner, backed myself into a doorway for the perfect perspective, and suddenly their dining room disappeared. All that remained was the elegance and timelessness they had envisioned.

Today also happened to be the debut of my brand-new **Client Confidence Kit!** 🥹 While these two certainly didn't need much confidence boosting, they became the very first clients to head home with some KHP goodies—including branded lip balm and stickers. It's a tiny touch, but one I've been dreaming up for a long time because I want every session to feel like more than just showing up for pictures.

It's a very traditional portrait.

But behind it is an extraordinary story of courage, sacrifice, and a marriage that's weathered every deployment, every late-night call, and every uncertain shift.

And since I couldn't resist...

Swipe to the second and third photos. 😂

Yesterday, Angela was launching T-shirts out of a cannon.

Today, I figured I'd return the favor by launching light out of one.

So now we need your help...

Who shot it better? 😆

Address

3300 Whippoorwill Drive
Taneytown, MD
21787

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(443) 340-6317

Website

https://www.kellyheckphotography.com/, https://kellyheck.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kelly Heck Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Kelly Heck Photography:

Name:

Email:

Message:

Want your business to be the top-listed Photography Service in Taneytown?