At Rely on Rach and the soon-to-open Hiraya Studios, our mission is deeply rooted in a personal and impactful journey. It’s not just about embracing creativity and breaking free from societal molds, but also about leveraging our extensive skills to empower success for others.

Growing up, imagination and energy were abundant for me, but societal norms often demanded that I dim my light in pursuit of conventional success. I see this narrative is all too familiar to many. So many of us are funneled into lives that don’t fit, chasing dreams that aren’t ours. My journey from a constrained space to unleashing my creative spirit has become the foundation for empowering others.

Rely on Rach and Hiraya Studios is a creators space where dreams are nurtured with professional expertise and a diverse skill set. It’s not just about providing creative services; it’s about offering a holistic solution that encompasses everything from commercial food photography, branding, and content creation, to event marketing and community building—all underpinned by eco-conscious practices like composting and recycling. These practices are integral to how we operate, reflecting our commitment to nurturing creativity and honoring our earth simultaneously.

Professional and creative freedom is our vibe, a one-stop creative house with serious power. Our skills are vast, our approach is personalized, and our mission is to serve as the catalyst for your creative and professional aspirations. We’re building a community where presence amplifies, voices carry, and dreams don’t just take flight—they soar.

Our mission embodies a rebellion against the ‘shoulds’ and ‘musts’ of a society that stifles the spirit, declaring that success, joy, and fulfillment can be achieved on our own terms. We strive to create a world where creativity knows no bounds and your true being shines brightest, backed by a team of highly skilled professionals ready to turn your vision into reality.

Hello, and thank you for having me. I’m Rachel, the creative force behind Rely on Rach and a co-founder of Hiraya Studios. I am a passionate advocate for community, inclusivity, and connection, which I express through hosting a variety of community events in Rhode Island and offering an open and engaging presence on social media. These events are designed not just to bring people together, but to celebrate diverse voices and create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.

My journey into the creative business world has been driven by a desire to not only express my own creativity but to amplify the stories and brands of others. I have proven experience in commercial food photography, branding, and content creation, I’ve had the privilege of helping businesses of all sizes to truly capture and convey their essence to their audience. My work is about more than just creating visually stunning content; it’s about crafting narratives that resonate on a deeper level, fostering a genuine connection between brands and their communities.

Combining my love for community building with my creative expertise, I strive to make a difference both locally and in the broader business landscape. Whether through a camera lens or a community event, my goal is to create environments where creativity flourishes, stories are celebrated, and connections are deepened.

I was a child brimming with creativity and I always found myself at odds with the conventional paths laid out before me. The creative spark within me refused to be dimmed, leading me through years of exploration and self-discovery. This journey took a significant turn during my time in restaurant management. While I was passionate about the hospitality industry, The environment is unsafe and unhealthy. I knew I needed to find a new way to channel my love for food, creativity and service into something that aligned with my values and well-being.

My venture into the world of creative marketing and food/brand photography was more than a career choice; it was a calling. A calling to embrace my true self and empower others to do the same. At Rely on Rach, and now at Hiraya Studios, we provide a sanctuary for creativity and innovation. My services span from commercial photography, branding, and website design to creative education and my partner Jon Mendel Sound brings a wide range of top notch professional sound services.

We solve a myriad of problems for our clients, from navigating brand identity crises to capturing the essence of their message in visual/sound form and crafting digital spaces that resonate with their audience.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to not just serve as a service provider, but as a partner in our clients’ creative journeys. We believe in crafting stories that not only sell but also tell—stories that reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the world we live in. Our approach is holistic, blending strategic thinking with artistic expression to create outcomes that are as impactful as they are beautiful.

I am most proud of the inclusive community we are building—a community that values authenticity, sustainability, and genuine connection. It’s a community that sees the power of creativity to inspire change and foster a sense of belonging. My transition from restaurant management to creating Rely on Rach and envisioning Hiraya Studios embodies my journey from confronting unhealthy work environments to fostering spaces where creativity, well-being, and safety are paramount.

My journey to where I stand today with Rely on Rach and the inception of Hiraya Studios is a testament to resilience, a narrative woven through the very fabric of my being. As a first-generation Filipino American raised by my white father in a predominantly white community in far Northern Michigan, my life has grown from abandoning my identity because of endless pressures of assimilation to embracing my identity by identifying by dismantling the white supremacy mindset woven into our functions.

From a young age, I was acutely aware of the molds society wanted me to fit into. Yet, even amidst this pressure, I remained rooted in my essence, instinctively resisting conformity. Traditional educational paths and university settings felt constricting, failing to nurture my spirit or foster my growth. Instead, I carved my path through alternative routes of education and skill acquisition, embracing methods that, while often frowned upon, sparked a profound realization in me: the conventional wisdom we’re fed can severely limit our potential.

Launching my own business was not just a step into the entrepreneurial world; it was a leap into confronting my deepest insecurities and battling the internalized narratives that had held me back. The journey was harder than I envisioned and I was met with inner turmoil and a profound lack of confidence. Through seeking help, engaging in affinity groups, and embracing therapy that I began to dismantle these narratives piece by piece.

This process of unlearning and relearning—to see myself not through the lens of societal expectations but through the truth of my experiences—has been my cornerstone of resilience. It taught me that resilience is not merely about weathering storms but about questioning the very wind that brings them. It’s about stepping back to discern what is truly real from what we’ve been conditioned to believe about ourselves, our capabilities, and our place in the world.

Today, as I look towards the launch of Hiraya Studios, my resilience is not just my own. It’s a beacon for others who’ve felt the weight of conforming, the strain of fitting into boxes too small for their dreams. I hope my story is a reminder that resilience is forged in the fire of self-discovery, in the unwavering belief in one’s worth, and in the relentless pursuit of authenticity.

In sharing, I hope to inspire others to embrace their resilience, to question the narratives that bind them, and to step into their truth with courage and conviction.