📸 Capturing What Matters Most: My Story as a Lehigh Valley Photographer

Hey there , I’m Becky! If you’re new around here, welcome. I thought I’d take a moment to step out from behind the camera and share a little about how I became a full-time Lehigh Valley photographer, what drives my work, and the heart (and occasional chaos) behind every session I shoot.

It started with hours spent flipping through my grandparents' photo albums, back when “editing” meant carefully peeling back sticky plastic and hoping the photo survived. I was fascinated by every small, candid moment someone had taken the time to preserve. Those images weren’t posed or perfect. They were real, and they made me feel connected to something bigger.

I didn’t start this journey with a business plan. I started it with a Kodak Instamatic 124 from the early ’80s , the kind that clicked through film cartridges and made you wait a week to see if your thumb was in the shot. That little camera sparked something in me: the joy of preserving real, fleeting moments.

Through high school and even my years at ESU, I was always the one with the camera making sure to take plenty of photos with friends. (Keep in mind this was prior to cell phones and selfies! Yep, I'm THAT old.) I knew the value of those memories and still have a whole hope chest full of those prints and some truly unforgettable outfits and hairstyles! This was also peak “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” and Tommy Boy era, so don’t be surprised if a one-liner slips out during your session. I can’t help it. It's muscle memory at this point.

Years later, as a middle school teacher, I took on creating the yearbook (which mostly meant me learning Photoshop at 1 a.m. and discovering I had exactly zero chill when it came to page layout.) But something clicked. I realized photography wasn’t just about taking pictures; it was about helping people hold onto the feeling of a moment. That led me to my first Canon DSLR, countless classes at Dan's Camera City, late-night editing sessions, and saying “yes” any time someone asked if I could take their photos. Eventually, it led me to launch Rebecca Groller Photography in 2010.

I was lucky enough to find not just one, but two careers I loved. For a few years, I balanced both, teaching during the day and photographing families in the evenings and on weekends. In 2015, I ultimately made the jump to being a full-time photographer. I may no longer be in the classroom, but I've still got my teacher voice that can control even the biggest, rowdiest extended family session! (It was a huge benefit when working with unruly groomsmen back when I captured weddings years ago.) One of my greatest joys over the years is that I’ve been blessed to photograph so many of my past students as they’ve celebrated graduations, weddings, newborns, and growing families. It's always the best complement knowing they still choose to have me in their lives, even after 6th grade!

I’ll always be a teacher at heart. I work with kids nearly every day and love answering their many questions with patience and compassion. I genuinely enjoy connecting with clients, hearing their stories, and finding common threads. No two sessions are ever the same and that variety is one of my favorite parts of this work. I believe in the value of education and that is why I make it a priority to take online and in-person classes every year.

Today, that same Kodak Instamatic sits proudly above my desk in my studio, right next to my grandfather’s 1940s Falcon Model Four folding camera and a few of my own early digital workhorses that helped launch my business but have since retired. That shelf isn’t just décor. It’s a timeline. A visual reminder of where I began and how far this journey has taken me.

These days, I shoot with Canon gear (always have, always will... they’ve had my heart since day one). There’s something grounding about knowing exactly how your tools respond when you’re chasing toddler giggles or capturing the stillness of a swaddled newborn. Over the years, I’ve learned that gear doesn’t make the photographer, but it sure helps you feel at home behind the lens.

Every session reminds me what a gift it is to be let into someone’s life, even just for a moment.

💛 Why Photography Matters to Me

Over the years, people have asked me why I’m so passionate about capturing memories; why it feels so personal. The truth is, I started my business in 2010 because I believed in the power of photographs to tell stories, preserve connection, and make time feel a little less fleeting.

Growing up, my grandparents and my mom instilled in me a deep appreciation for captured images. Creating memory boards with my mom for each of my grandparents’ funerals showed me just how powerfully a life can be told through photographs. Their stories were preserved in pictures, reflecting long lives well lived and deeply surrounded by love.

In 2017, I lost my husband, Jeff Groller, unexpectedly to illness. Then in 2020, I lost my mom, Elizabeth Hutchison, to cancer. Those heartbreaks reshaped everything I thought I knew about time, love, and memory.

Their absence is part of my everyday... but so is their presence, thanks to the photographs I have. Those images are more than just pictures. They’re proof of a life well loved. They’re how I remember their voices, their smiles, the way they were when they were here.

That’s what deepened my purpose as a photographer. I don’t just take pictures; I help you hold onto the moments that matter most, even when life changes. Because it always does.

When we work together, you’ll notice we don’t rush. I create space for you to slow down, be fully present, and soak in the people you love. Because I know, from experience, how important it is to press pause and really see your life while you’re living it.

🌿 This Chapter of Life

These days, life looks different; quieter in some ways, fuller in others. I’m remarried to my wonderful husband, Jeff (yes, same name as my late husband... life is beautifully strange like that). I have an incredible stepdaughter, Cheyenne, who’s in college, and two sweet, "couch-potato" huskies named Nova and Drake who keep me company while I edit.

My cozy studio in Bethlehem, PA has become more than just a workspace; it’s a creative home. A place where families laugh, cuddle, and make memories in front of my lens. There are two spacious shooting rooms, a dedicated newborn area, and even a little snack nook (because toddlers and snacks go hand in hand).

Outside of sessions and editing, you can usually find me doing one of three things: color-coding a spreadsheet in my home office (yes, I genuinely enjoy them), wandering the aisles of HomeGoods or Hobby Lobby for “just one more” basket, blanket, or prop I probably don’t need (but will absolutely use), or digging through antique shops for hidden gems. Most days, my huskies Nova and Drake are snoring nearby. They’re loyal coworkers, even if they contribute nothing to the editing process except fur. If it’s a full day of shooting sessions, you better believe I’m swinging by Wawa for a turkey hoagie or cheese panini and a Cherry Coke Zero; it’s my go-to mid-day pick-me-up.

Evenings are for winding down, usually with a binge-worthy TV series, my husband Jeff, and a salty or sweet snack within arm’s reach. Got a favorite show? We’re always up for a recommendation (bonus points if it has great characters and just a little drama).

I’m not fancy. Most days, you’ll find me in a black tee and black leggings, camera bag over one shoulder, armed with dad jokes, snacks, and an unreasonable amount of patience. My life today is shaped by love, loss, growth, and a deep appreciation for the everyday moments, the kind that tend to become the most meaningful.

✨ Your Lehigh Valley Photographer: Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a Lehigh Valley photographer who knows how to gently guide you into flattering, timeless portraits while still capturing the genuine connection between you, I’d be honored to work with you.

Whether you're celebrating a new baby, a milestone moment, or simply want to preserve your family just as they are right now, I’ll take care of every detail. From outfit planning to confident posing and final artwork, I’m here to make the process easy, comfortable, and beautifully intentional.

Bonus points if you catch a sitcom reference mid-session. That’s when I know we’re going to be friends!

Let’s create something classic and meaningful together.

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