Founder Interview with Julianne Key, Julianne Key Photography
Photo Credit: Julianne Key
Julianne Key is the founder and creative force behind Julianne Key Photography, a wedding photography business that blends an analytical mind with a deeply creative spirit. From a young age, Julianne was drawn to storytelling through words and images, inspired by a childhood surrounded by family photos and memories carefully documented by her adoptive mother. Over the years, Julianne’s journey led from studying classics and psychology to clinical research and eventually wedding photography — a career where her talent for connection and narrative truly shines. Her work centers on creating a space where clients feel fully seen and comfortable, prioritizing genuine moments over posed perfection.
During our interview, Julianne shared how she built Julianne Key Photography into a business that feels right for her — one that values connection over algorithms and mental wellness over industry expectations. She talked about the challenge of navigating social media as a neurodivergent service provider and how stepping away from constant online engagement helped her focus on her craft and build meaningful client relationships. Julianne also opened up about her identity as an asexual, queer photographer and how this shapes her approach to weddings, drawing in couples who resonate with authenticity and inclusivity. She reminded us that success doesn’t have to fit a mold and that embracing what works for you can create something truly unique and fulfilling.
Check out the interview below!
Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, whether through words, research, or images. Growing up, I was an avid reader and journaler, fascinated by how people’s stories unfolded. That curiosity led me to study psychology and communication in grad school, where I learned to analyze human behavior and communication patterns.
I started my academic journey in college without a clear plan. I was always good at languages, so I majored in classics, which allowed me to get credit for multiple languages at once. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t end up pursuing a career in that field. I moved on to graduate school for communication, then psychology, then neuroscience, eventually landing in clinical research, where I am today.
Being adopted also shaped my perspective. My adoptive mother believed everything about my life needed to be saved so I could one day share it with my birth parents. She documented every dance recital, every church solo, every little milestone—there was a camera in my face my entire life. Eventually, I realized I wanted to be the one behind the camera. I started using my mother’s little Canon point-and-shoot, and for my high school graduation in 2007, my parents gave me my first DSLR. It wasn’t fancy by today’s standards, but at the time, it felt amazing. In college, a friend and I would set up fun photo shoots—cosplaying as Doctor Who characters and exploring abandoned hallways of the Science Center. It was silly and fun and helped me fall in love with photography.
After college, grad school took over, and photography faded into the background. But during my PhD program, I had a principal investigator who was one of those notoriously difficult advisors. My therapist encouraged me to find something to stay grounded, and I picked up photography again. That creative outlet became my lifeline. I started exploring wedding photography, inspired by our own photographer, and slowly built a business alongside my research work.
Photography and research might seem like opposites, but for me, they balance each other. Research requires precision and patience, while photography is intuitive and fluid. Both offer unique ways to observe the world through data or light and shadow. Over the years, I’ve refined my approach to both, embracing the balance between structure and creativity, detail and storytelling.
After college, grad school took over, and photography faded into the background. But during my PhD program, I had a principal investigator who was one of those notoriously difficult advisors. My therapist encouraged me to find something to stay grounded, and I picked up photography again. That creative outlet became my lifeline. I started exploring wedding photography, inspired by our own photographer, and slowly built a business alongside my research work.
Photography and research might seem like opposites, but for me, they balance each other. Research requires precision and patience, while photography is intuitive and fluid. Both offer unique ways to observe the world, whether through data or light and shadow. Over the years, I’ve refined my approach to both, embracing the balance between structure and creativity, detail and storytelling.
What inspired you to offer the services you provide?
I went into wedding photography because weddings are just so much fun! There’s something truly special about being part of a day filled with love, joy, and anticipation. I love the energy, the unscripted moments, and the way each couple’s story comes to life in a completely unique way. It’s not about the posed, curated photos; it’s about capturing the real emotions, the quiet in-between moments, and the spontaneous bursts of laughter. The photos I deliver are meant to be something my couples can look back on years later, remembering exactly how they felt on that day.
Beyond the wedding day itself, I’m especially drawn to working with couples who want a photographer who truly understands them, especially those who might feel overwhelmed by the whole process. I know how awkward it can feel to be in front of a camera, so I do everything possible to make the experience comfortable and easygoing. My approach is rooted in human connection rather than stiff posing. At the end of the day, I offer my services because I love telling stories through photography, and I want my couples to walk away with images that feel like them — authentic, beautiful, and timeless.
The first engagement session I ever shot was the year after college. My college best friend got engaged, and I took her engagement pictures. I had no idea what I was doing. I just figured we’d try it and see what happened. That experience planted the seed of “maybe one day” in my mind, but I didn’t really pursue it until 2020.
That year, I shot my first wedding, a COVID wedding, actually, as a second shooter. The lead photographer was someone I found through a photographer’s group online. I was upfront with her: I had never shot a wedding before, didn’t know what I was doing, and was looking for experience. I even offered to work for $10 an hour. She appreciated the honesty and said, “Let’s do this.” The wedding was absolutely gorgeous in Asheville, North Carolina, on the side of a mountain. She said, “Whenever I’m not directly interacting with the couple, I’ll teach you. When working with them, stand off to the side and shoot B-roll. Just have at it.”
That’s a philosophy I still carry today. I love teaching and mentoring new photographers. When I hire second shooters just starting, I tell them the same thing: “I’ll teach you whenever we’re not working directly with the couple. I’ll show you what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and how to approach it.” I believe in making the process accessible and collaborative.
Ultimately, it’s the blend of storytelling, connection, and the joy of capturing real moments that inspires me. Weddings offer the chance to be part of something meaningful, to create images that aren’t just beautiful but deeply personal. That’s why I do what I do.
What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a service provider, and what did you do to overcome this?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a service provider has been figuring out how to run my business in a way that actually works for me, rather than forcing myself into systems that seem to work for everyone else. I’ve realized that traditional business advice doesn’t always align with how my brain works. For example, social media has always been a huge source of stress for me. You’d think that as a photographer, I’d need to be on Instagram at the very least. I used Instagram and Facebook to connect with other photographers and potential clients for a while, since around 2020. Still, after years of feeling drained by the constant pressure to post, engage, and compare myself to others, I finally stepped away.
The turning point was accidental. At the beginning of 2024, my sister had some big family stuff going on, so I flew down last minute to help her. During that time, I was focused entirely on her and didn’t even think about social media. When I came back, I realized how freeing it felt to be offline and I decided to keep going. I ended up spending all of 2024 off social media, and it was the best decision I could have made. Without the constant noise, I was able to focus on building real connections, refining my craft, and working with clients who truly align with my approach.
Overcoming this challenge meant giving myself permission to do things differently. Instead of following every piece of business advice out there, I started paying attention to what actually made sense for me.
I streamlined my workflow, built my business around direct referrals and strong client relationships, and focused on my connection with my clients—things that feel more natural to me than trying to keep up with algorithms. I do still use Facebook, but only for the sole purpose of finding second shooters because it’s such a useful resource.
Photo Credit: Julianne Key
The biggest takeaway from all of this is that success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. By embracing what works for me instead of forcing myself into a mold that doesn’t fit, I’ve created a more sustainable and fulfilling way to do what I love.
Even though social media can be a great tool for connecting with others, it just isn’t a healthy space for me. Every time I log on, my brain starts comparing me to everyone else, telling me I’m not good enough, and it’s just not worth the mental strain. So, I’ve found my own path—and it works.
If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers within your field, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers in photography is to carve out a space that truly aligns with who you are, even within LGBTQ+ circles. Being an LGBTQ+ vendor can sometimes feel like a niche in itself, but even within that, it’s easy to get pigeonholed.
The wedding industry, especially on the LGBTQ+ side, is often very sexualized, which doesn’t reflect my experience as an asexual person. I quickly realized that a lot of the industry’s messaging didn’t resonate with me, and rather than trying to fit into a mold that made me uncomfortable, I created my own niche-within-a-niche. I focus on working with romantics, people who don’t naturally feel at ease in front of a camera, and couples who want a wedding photographer who prioritizes comfort and authenticity over performative or hypersexualized imagery.
If you ever feel like you don’t quite fit into the industry as it exists, know that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to force yourself into spaces that don’t feel right. There are clients out there who will deeply appreciate the way you see the world and the way you work. If you want to lean into boudoir photography, do it! But if, like me, that’s not your thing, it’s okay to say no and refer those inquiries to photographers who specialize in it. Your business is yours to shape, and your presence in this field is valuable just as you are.
Photo Credit: Julianne Key
How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?
Being openly queer impacts my business in a way that’s both deeply personal and very practical. Personally, it allows me to create a space where couples know they will be fully seen and respected. Weddings can be incredibly vulnerable, and having a photographer who truly understands and affirms you can make all the difference. I know what it’s like to navigate an industry that often assumes a very specific kind of love story, and I want my clients to feel safe, celebrated, and comfortable in front of my camera, without having to explain themselves or worry about being misrepresented.
At the same time, being queer doesn’t define my entire approach to photography, and that’s something I’ve had to navigate. There’s an expectation that LGBTQ+ wedding vendors will fit a certain mold, and for me, that hasn’t always felt right.
As an asexual person, I don’t connect with the more sexualized aspects of the wedding industry, and I’ve intentionally built my business around a different energy, one that prioritizes love, comfort, and genuine connection over performative imagery. Being openly queer has given me the freedom to create a niche that aligns with who I am while also giving couples a photographer who understands that love stories come in all forms.
What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-tos and why?
I have to mention my friend Rebecca Dexter of Dexter Haus, a phenomenal wedding videographer based in Michigan. Her work is deeply emotional, beautifully crafted, and always feels so intentional—she has a way of telling love stories that truly captures the heart of a wedding day. Anyone who works with her is in great hands.
Closer to home, Carly Miller is a wonderful wedding officiant in Durham. She brings so much warmth and authenticity to every ceremony she officiates, creating a space where couples feel fully seen and celebrated. She understands how personal and meaningful a wedding ceremony is and helps craft something that feels true to each couple’s story.
Both Rebecca and Carly represent the kind of thoughtful, creative energy I love seeing in the wedding industry, and I feel lucky to know and support their work.
Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity or figure, and why?
I love Alanah Pearce. She’s an incredibly talented writer, gaming journalist, and content creator who brings a thoughtful, insightful, and often hilarious perspective to everything she does. I admire how she navigates the gaming industry — a space that isn’t always the most welcoming — with intelligence, humor, and an unapologetic sense of self. She’s also a huge advocate for accessibility, diversity, and better storytelling in games, which I really appreciate. Whether she’s discussing game development, breaking down industry news, or just sharing her love of storytelling, she brings a level of authenticity that makes her stand out. And if you haven't watched her play PT with Kate Siegel and Samantha Sloyan, you're in for a good time
Can you share one fun fact about yourself?
I’m adopted, which has shaped a lot about how I see the world, and it’s also why adoption is so meaningful to me in my work. I love photographing families in all their forms, and I have a special appreciation for capturing moments that celebrate love, connection, and the different ways people come together to create a family.
