Alexandria Photographer Reconnects with Family Passion After Military Service

Todd Key rediscovered his love for photography, especially wildlife, after returning home from overseas deployment.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A soft, abstract photograph of a bird feeder outside a window, with the blurred outline of a bird in flight. The image is composed of warm, hazy pools of color and light, creating a tranquil, introspective mood.The soothing, meditative nature of wildlife photography provided a much-needed respite for Alexandria photographer Todd Key as he reconnected with his passion for the art form.Alexandria Today

Alexandria-based photographer Todd Key has reconnected with his family's long tradition of photography after struggling with his mental health following military service. Key, a retired Army Colonel, turned to photography as a way to decompress, and his passion for the craft grew, particularly in wildlife photography. He has since become a professional photographer, selling his work at the Nepenthe Gallery in Alexandria.

Why it matters

Key's story highlights how photography can serve as a therapeutic outlet and a way to reconnect with one's roots. His journey also showcases the vibrant local arts community in Alexandria, where Key has found success in sharing his unique wildlife photography with the public.

The details

After returning home from military service overseas in the mid-2010s, Key struggled with his mental health. To cope, he embarked on a cross-country motorcycle trip, bringing his camera along. During the trip, Key found that his photography allowed him to connect with people who had also experienced loss or trauma related to the military. This realization, combined with the recommendation of a therapist, led Key to join the Northern Virginia Photo Society and further develop his skills. When the COVID-19 pandemic restricted his ability to travel, Key turned his attention to the local wildlife, particularly a Carolina wren that he spent a week trying to photograph outside his window. This experience sparked Key's passion for wildlife photography, which he has since honed and showcased through his work, now sold at the Nepenthe Gallery in Alexandria.

  • In the mid-2010s, Key returned home from military service overseas.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, Key began focusing on photographing local wildlife, like the Carolina wren outside his window.
  • Last summer, Key's wife gifted him an 11-day photography trip to Alaska, where he captured stunning images of bears.
  • About a month after reaching out to the Nepenthe Gallery, Key heard back that the gallery wanted to display some of his photography.

The players

Todd Key

An Alexandria-based photographer who specializes in wildlife photography and has a long family history with the craft. Key is a retired Army Colonel who reconnected with photography as a way to cope with his mental health after returning from military service.

Carrie Garland

One of the owners of the Nepenthe Gallery in Alexandria, where Key's photography is now displayed and sold.

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What they’re saying

“You gave me time to look through some of these family photos I've never really spent time with.”

— Todd Key, Photographer

“He gets the image in a way a lot of photographers don't.”

— Carrie Garland, Gallery Owner

“That's the essence to me of what photography is: bringing something to someone else that they find joyful.”

— Todd Key, Photographer

What’s next

Key plans to continue showcasing his wildlife photography at the Nepenthe Gallery and exploring new opportunities to share his work with the local community.

The takeaway

Todd Key's journey with photography highlights how the craft can serve as a therapeutic outlet and a way to reconnect with one's roots. His success in turning his passion into a profession at the Nepenthe Gallery also demonstrates the vibrant arts scene in Alexandria, where local artists can find support and appreciation for their unique perspectives.