Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a portrait photographer based in Dallas. I got my start in photography back in high school. I took a photojournalism class where I learned how to shoot on film, develop in the darkroom, and tell stories through images. I didn’t think much of it at the time, it was just something I enjoyed.
Years later, I found myself in a place where I felt stuck and unsure of who I really was. Out of curiosity, I picked up a camera again and started taking self-portraits. That’s really how it all started.
Those self-portraits helped me reconnect with myself. They gave me a creative outlet and a sense of direction. It showed me how powerful it can be to truly see yourself as you are,and to step into that with confidence.
That’s what led me to start my portrait photography business, Speak Pixels. I wanted to create that same space for others,to help them feel seen, valued, and confident in who they already are and how they show up in the world.
What keeps me going is knowing that I’m helping people show up confidently,whether it’s in their businesses through personal branding photos, marketing images, or headshots, or in their lives through portrait sessions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most people starting something new, I’ve had to work through a lot of self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty.
One of the biggest challenges for me was learning how to trust myself and believe that I was capable of building something on my own. Stepping out to create a business, especially something creative,was completely new to me, and it forced me to grow in ways I wasn’t expecting.
There were also the practical struggles: investing in equipment, learning the business side, and figuring out how to attract the right clients. There were times I questioned whether I was really cut out for this.
But every challenge has taught me something. I’ve learned to keep going even when it’s uncomfortable, to believe in what I’m building, and to stay focused on why I started in the first place.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creative portrait sessions, personal branding, headshots, and contemporary portraits for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone who wants to show up confidently,whether for their business or for themselves.
What I’m probably known for is creating an experience where people who normally feel awkward in front of the camera actually feel comfortable and taken care of. A lot of my clients tell me they’ve never liked photos of themselves until now. I’ve been on that side too,I started out taking self-portraits during a time when I was trying to find myself again, so I understand how vulnerable it can feel to be seen.
In terms of expertise, I bring more than just technical skill with the camera. Before photography, I worked as a web and graphic designer, so I have a strong eye for composition, color, and visual storytelling. I’ve spent years studying posing, lighting, and the psychology behind what makes someone feel confident and natural in front of the lens. I help clients with everything from wardrobe styling, using my growing studio wardrobe, to guided posing and expressions that feel authentic, not forced. I also specialize in creating high-quality printed products like albums, wall art, and keepsake folio boxes, so my clients walk away with something tangible they can be proud of.
What I’m most proud of is when a client sees their photos and says, “That’s me.” That’s always my goal: to capture who they are. I’m not interested in over-posing people or making them look like someone they’re not. I want to bring out their real personality, their energy, their essence, and reflect that back to them through my images.
What sets me apart is that I guide people every step of the way,I approach every session with empathy because I know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. I am with my clients every step of the way, from wardrobe to posing to choosing their final images, so they’re not left feeling unsure or uncomfortable. I keep the process simple, personal, fun and relaxed.
At the end of the day, my work is about more than just photos. It’s about helping people see themselves clearly, show up confidently, and walk away with images they’re genuinely proud of displaying and have represent them.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck has played a role, but not in the way people usually think about it. I haven’t had a lot of doors magically open for me or opportunities handed to me. In fact, most of what I’ve built has come from deciding to start over, bet on myself, and take small steps forward even when things felt uncertain.
If anything, the “bad luck” moments,the life setbacks, the times I felt stuck, actually pushed me toward photography and toward creating a life and business on my own terms. Without those hard moments, I might never have picked up a camera again or taken the risk to start Speak Pixels.
So I wouldn’t say I’ve been lucky in the traditional sense, but I’ve learned how to make the most of the hand I’ve been dealt. And in a way, that’s led to the best kind of luck: creating something that feels true to who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.speakpixels.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakpixels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakPixelsPhotography/
Image Credits
Rachon Denae
