We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Becky Gardner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Becky below.
Becky, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I’m in the midst of an extremely meaningful project right now, called The Wellspring. The Wellspring was born out of seasons of stillness—some chosen, some forced. In 2020, the world shrank. Isolation became the norm, and connection felt like something distant, almost forgotten. But for me, that solitude wasn’t new. Years earlier, a lymphoma diagnosis had already pressed pause on my life, forcing me to slow down, to sit with my own story in ways I never had before. There’s something about facing mortality that makes you pay closer attention—to the quiet moments, to the stories we carry, to the ones we have yet to tell.
In both of these seasons—illness and pandemic—I longed for something deeper than just returning to “normal.” I longed for spaces where people could show up as they were, without polish or pretense, and tell the truth about their lives. The Wellspring is my answer to that longing. It’s a place to gather, to listen, to write—to share what makes us human. Whether through storytelling events, creative workshops, or quiet moments of reflection, The Wellspring exists as a reminder that our words matter. That our lives, no matter how ordinary they may seem, are worth being told.
Becky, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Photography found me while I was s stay at home mom of two tiny babies, holding it down with a traveling husband. In 2011, after my second child was born, I realized how fleeting each stage of life truly is. I wanted to hold onto the details—the tiny fingers, the belly laughs, the way time moves both achingly slow and impossibly fast in those early years. That instinct led me to pick up a camera, and before long, I was capturing those moments not just for myself but for families all over Northern Virginia. Becky A. Gardner Photography grew from that deep love of preserving time, of creating something lasting in a world that never stops moving.
For over a decade, I’ve had the honor of documenting families as they grow. I’ve watched newborns take their first steps, toddlers become big siblings, and high school seniors step confidently into their next chapter. My approach has always been about more than just taking photos—it’s about creating a space where families can be, where kids can laugh freely, and where parents can see themselves in the beauty of their everyday lives. My sessions are relaxed, personal, and all-inclusive because I believe that photography is storytelling, and a story is never meant to be pieced out in fragments. I don’t have a niche, so to speak. I love celebrating individuality and the BIG moments–starting a new business, graduating high school, first birthdays, weddings, all of it. Love it.
As my business evolved, my creativity absolutely did, too. Travel became a natural extension of my love for storytelling, taking me beyond backyards and parks to Scotland, Cambodia, Iceland, Rome, Paris, to new faces, and new stories. That passion ultimately led me to The Wellspring, a place where storytelling is celebrated in all its forms—through words, images, and shared experiences. Both photography and The Wellspring allow me to embrace flexible seasons of life, to ebb and flow between motherhood, creativity, and adventure. What sets my work apart is the intention behind it—I am endlessly fascinated by people, by the small but significant moments that make up a life, and by the stories waiting to be told.
At the heart of it all, I want my clients to know this: Your life is worth documenting. Your story is worth telling. And whether it’s through the frame of my camera or a blank page in a journal, I am here to help you capture it. I provide meaningful, gorgeous photo experiences with hopefully limited stress, and I am so proud that this business has helped me to provide for my family while showcasing the love and spirit of others.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
For most of my life, I believed that success came from doing everything, all at once, all the time. If I wasn’t running at full speed—balancing my photography business, raising my kids, saying “yes” to every request—then I wasn’t doing enough. Hustle felt like the only way forward, and I wore my exhaustion like a badge of honor. But in 2017, that mindset caught up with me in the worst way. I was diagnosed with lymphoma, and suddenly, my body made the decision I refused to make for myself. I had to stop.
Illness has a way of cutting through the noise. As I went through treatment, I had to sit with the uncomfortable truth: stress had been running the show for far too long. I had ignored my own needs in the name of productivity, convinced that slowing down meant falling behind. But the reality? The world kept turning without me pushing it forward. My family still loved me. My work still mattered. And none of it required me to burn myself to the ground.
That shift changed everything. I learned to build my life and my business in a way that honors seasons—seasons of movement, seasons of rest, seasons of just being. It’s what led me to The Wellspring, a space that isn’t about proving or pushing but about presence, creativity, and connection. I had to unlearn the idea that my worth was tied to how much I could juggle. And in doing so, I finally made space for the kind of life I don’t need to recover from.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
For me, keeping in touch with clients isn’t about fancy marketing strategies—it’s about real relationships. I never want my work to feel transactional. The families I photograph invite me into some of their most meaningful moments, and that’s not something I take lightly. Over the years, I’ve built a community, not just a client list. I check in, I celebrate milestones, and I try to always have something new and exciting to offer—whether it’s a fresh location, a fun styled shoot, or just a different way of capturing their story.
I show up as myself—imperfect, human, deeply passionate about what I do—and I encourage others to do the same. I think that’s why my clients trust me. I don’t just deliver beautiful images; I deliver galleries full of feeling, full of life. And I don’t hold back—I give a lot because I believe that every little moment matters.
Loyalty is a two-way street. I take good care of the people who refer me, and I love collaborating with and showcasing my clients who are doing incredible things. It all comes back to connection—staying engaged, supporting each other, and making sure my clients feel valued long after their session is over. That’s what turns a one-time booking into a lifelong relationship, and honestly, that’s the part of my business I love the most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beckyagardner.com
- Instagram: beckyagardner
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckyagardnerphotography
Image Credits
Headshot by Freebird Imagery