NAME
Kelly Balch
Occupation
Filmmaker, Photographer, Director, & Author
Short Bio
Kelly Balch is a world class photographer, filmmaker, and author. Their work on editorial shoots, documentaries, music videos, and more has brought them to projects around the globe from Egypt to India to London to even the Amazon jungle with the Kayapo community. With over 15 years of experience revolutionizing the photography industry, Kelly has been a pioneering force in queer wedding photography, having started their career before marriage equality was achieved in the United States.
Their groundbreaking work has been featured in over 30 prestigious publications worldwide, including Vogue, Variety, GQ, Esquire, People, Vanity Fair, Bazaar, The Hollywood Reporter, Times, Brides, The Knot, and Teen Vogue. As a contributing photographer for Getty Images Entertainment and founder of KBi, an international agency of photographers and videographers, Kelly has established themselves as a visionary leader in visual media.
Kelly is also the accomplished author of the Greek Mythology & LGBTQ Fantasy Fiction series, “Aphrodite’s Sister.” Among their notable achievements, “Aphrodite’s Sister: The Angel” emerged as a Best Seller in 2017 within the Gay & Lesbian Romance genre. This remarkable feat was further underscored by an award from the California Library Association Book Exhibit in San Diego, highlighting its significant impact and recognition in the literary community. Their ability to weave compelling narratives through both written word and visual imagery demonstrates the same creative storytelling prowess they now bring to their directorial work.
Now Kelly steps into yet another areana as co-director of her first narrative film project, a queer positive period piece, “Riders & Roses”. With a powerhouse team on both sides of the camera including — 3-time Emmy Award winning makeup & hair by Glen Alen, Emmy Nominated Costume Designer Kristin Dangl, and guest starring Golden Globe Nominee Joely Fisher — the story follows the entangled lives of high society families where every desirous glance, every forgotten letter, and every buried secret could spell ruin at every turn. This project channeled years of capturing intimate moments into framing a sweeping narrative that promises to captivate audiences while advancing meaningful representation.
As a non-binary, queer entrepreneur and passionate advocate for diversity and inclusivity, Kelly brings both artistic excellence and authentic representation to every project, ensuring that stories of love, desire, and identity are told with the depth and respect they deserve. Kelly’s warm, compassionate approach and unwavering commitment to celebrating every individual’s unique truth has made them a trusted collaborator across industries.
In each day we’re alive, tell us the three things you’re grateful for:
Easy: Family, health, and self awareness.
Favorite type of music:
Anything that makes me feel something, which at the moment is Noah Kahan, Day We Ran and Olivia Dean.
Who would you switch lives with for one day if you could:
I don’t know. Someone that is the complete opposite of me. Just to see what the heck the opposite end of the spectrum are really doing?
Name the biggest pet peeve you have- no holds barred:
People who lack self-awareness.
How do you psyche yourself up for the day ahead:
Meditate on what my intention is for the day. Positive affirmations. You know, the usual kind of practices.
Go to products in your bag you can’t live without:
Electrolytes hahah. I always have them. Sage, I carry that everywhere with me. And magnesium citrate.
How do you use Sundays to destress from work:
Sundays I’m usually working. And quite honestly my work doesn’t stress me out. People do. Haha!
How would you describe yourself:
I’d describe myself as deeply intuitive, vibrant, and creatively multifaceted, blending artistry, storytelling, and activism. My sensitivity allows me to perceive subtle emotions and vividly translate them through photography, filmmaking, and writing. Deep authenticity guides my commitment to advocating for queer visibility, inclusivity, and marginalized voices.
I’m driven by curiosity; continuously exploring spiritual and philosophical depths, and enriching my creativity through diverse cultural experiences across the globe…. Genuine connections matter deeply to me.
What is your biggest weakness and strength:
I love to travel and rarely stay in one place for long. My greatest strength is that I’ve become deeply cultured through these experiences. However, while my connections with people are meaningful and deep, they’re often scattered across time and distance—I rarely get the chance to be with one person for an extended period.
What’s your hidden talent that no one, not even your partner knows about:
Ha! Um….next question?
What’s one trend you would obliterate forever:
Cancel culture. It’s incredibly immature and unproductive.
