Meet Rocheal Matthews | Business Owner & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rocheal Matthews and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rocheal, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success in my business is how I define success.

I think when a lot of people begin to experience financial success after starting a business of sorts, their definition of success starts to take form and base itself on numbers. Couple that with living in this world full of instant gratification and love of Pinterest-worthy *things*, and boom. You’re in the rat race again.

Although numbers are important (we wouldn’t be able to have a good business without good numbers!), numbers merely inform numbers; they’re not the measure of our success.
Success, for me, is waking up every morning and being excited about jumping into my day. Looking forward to work.
Success is providing jobs – and being able to teach, lead, guide, comfort, lend a hand in healing, and drawing my team to God.
Success is trying to do something similar for my clients, but ultimately guiding them to – in spite of the stress of wedding planning – focus on their marriage (not just their wedding) and learn how to love well.
Success is being able to work with my husband, who recently quit his job to join me in business.
Success is this God-given gift to do life with my family. Homeschool our kids together.

Success is the freedom to control my calendar.

Do I work weekends when I don’t want to? Sure.
Have I missed soccer games and friends’ and family events? You bet.
But we get to be all wrapped up in the chaos of community that owning a business affords us — and then hike when the trails are empty. Drive in between rush hour. Hit the beach when everyone else starts back to school. Pick up our books *and* set them down, as we see best.

We need money to do those things. But it doesn’t take much, and we’re so grateful for what we have. In fact, we strive and hope and pray every day for more so that we can keep growing. But success is so much bigger than money.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Rocheal Photography is all about creating a luxury, but comfortable experience where couples get to be casual, but also lean into the luxury while truly relaxing and enjoy their wedding day, knowing their most important memories are in good hands. What sets us apart isn’t just the images we capture, but the experience we bring our couples through and the relationships we build along the way. From the first consultation to the album reveal after the wedding, we pour our hearts into helping our couples plan their wedding, but also making sure they feel loved, understood, and cared for. We’ve prayed with moms during the moment they have to watch their daughter walk down the aisle without her late father. We’ve helped brides work through the difficulty of trying to decide whether or not to invite her addicted parents to her wedding. We’ve counseled couples who have been on the verge of breaking up. One of our brides has become my jogging partner — another has joined our sales team. These are the people we meet, and do life with. We’re here for them, and we truly enjoy being apart of this season with them!

And our wedding business is more than photography—it’s about creating a lasting experience that helps our couples feel more in love at the end of their time with us than they did at the beginning. How cool is it that these young people are entering into their marriage in that way?!

Recently, my husband Will quit his day job and joined Rocheal Photography as our full-time CFO and videographer, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Videography is adding an incredible dimension to our storytelling, and we’ve been able to offer a uniquely special experience for our couples. Working with us is an experience no other company could offer.

Books like Atomic Habits, The E Myth, Celebration of Discipline, 5 Levels of Leadership, Live No Lies, Tribes, and Mama Bear Apologetics have been instrumental in helping guide us to where we are. These resources have personally pushed me to lean into my weaknesses and shine light on habits, discipline, and leadership values that needed to change. It’s been both humbling and empowering, knowing that the more I work on myself, the better I can serve others.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success isn’t about having it all together. It’s about embracing the journey, the ups and downs, and remembering that every step—good or bad—is worth trusting because it’s part of a bigger picture.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, gosh. We’re not your typical “city people” that might come to mind when you think of Atlanta. I like a good mix of adrenaline and relaxation, so you can expect adventure, some chill time, and, of course, good food and drinks.

First off, I’d grab our dog Yeti, and we’d head up to the Cartecay River Experience. There’s nothing quite like floating down the river, and Yeti loves it just as much as we do! But before hitting the water, we’d stop at The Roof Elijay for some good food and maybe a drink or two to set the mood for the day. Floating, sunshine, and good company—it’s the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

Since we love hiking, we’d also spend a day at FD Roosevelt State Park. Their forests and streams are beautiful, and there’s a hidden little waterfall quite a few miles into the trail that’s perfect for a dip, especially for Yeti, who’s always ready to jump in! After that much walking, a brewery would be calling our name, because nothing hits the spot after a long hike like a cold beer and a hearty meal.

Since our home is just five minutes from Stone Mountain Park, that means we can’t skip a day there. We’d tackle the Cherokee Trail, which is a bit of a challenge (especially when it rains—there’s this one part where you practically have to sit down and slide to navigate!). Afterward, we’d head to Local 7 in Tucker for our good brews and food.

We’d have to spend at least one evening in the city, exploring the Beltline and enjoying the vibe of downtown Atlanta. Ponce City Market has such a cool rooftop setup with plenty of activities, and we’d end the night eating at 9 Mile Station, which has a great view of the city.

One day would definitely be reserved for hanging out at our house — we can be homebodies! We’d kick off the morning with some pool time, then hit the gaming system from the ’90s—hello, Super Mario World!—and in the evening, we’d light up the fire pit for s’mores, sharing drinks and laughs with our awesome neighbor. Simple, fun, and perfect.

And I can’t forget my love for horseback riding, so we’d make time for that too. There’s something so freeing about being on horseback, out in the fresh air, soaking in nature.

To top it all off, we’d also have to hit the shooting range in between because this new hobby of mine has become a lifestyle I love to share! And since no adventure is complete without great food, we’d head to Frontera afterward—our local favorite that was just remodeled due to a devastating fire. We’re so happy to have them back in business!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people! I would love to shout out the Bible, yo!! It’s where I come back to truth and it keeps me sane. But also, all the people who have been important shape shifters in my life. I had a tough childhood, and grew to be rough around the edges; it was these people who helped refine me:

My husband, Will. He’s been with me since the beginning of time, through all my ups and downs, and never leaves my side. He is the man I never had growing up, and the most beautiful part of it all is the longer we’re married, the better it’s getting. The partnership found in marriage sure does change a person.

My Aunt Stacie — she invites me into her life for hours on end, listening when I want to gab or gabbing when I want to listen. She is the best company.

Sarah. So many people want that life long friend. Someone you grow up with. We’ve been friends since middle school, which means we’ve seen All The Things. Do you have someone who knows you as well? Sarah comforted me in some of the darkest memories of childhood – and when embarrassing things happened, she never distanced herself from me. We’ve grown each other through the years, and I am so grateful to do life with her.

My kids. Words can’t ever describe, offer, or sum up the impact the children God chose for you will have on your life. I had Kellen at a very young age, and we’ve essentially grown up together. That child has seen it all, and his loyalty, dependability, Faith, and the quiet and gentle way he guides my thoughts have both inspired and refined me. William – the sweet boy – is so special. He reminds me to slow down, and not rush, in this world of hurry. He helps me to see innocence when my brain tries to find fault. He’s a playful little boy with an incredibly deep mind that is full of wisdom. I am so excited to watch him grow and see who he becomes.

Barb. This is the woman I once called a “Bible Thumper” who literally forced me into prayer for the first time, and the moment I felt the Holy Spirit fill my body. It’s a story for another day.
Sorelyss, Patrycia, Pastor Trey, and Pastor Kevin — These people have introduced me to not only theology, apologetics, and their rooted sincerity has made all the difference in who I am today. I can’t hinge everything on these people, but it sure is tempting. They probably have absolutely no idea how much of an impact they’ve had on me.

And the other special people in my life: Crystal, Stephen, Christina, Jess, Michelle, Kimberly, Matt, Steve, and even Courtney. Although I don’t get to regularly talk to each of these folks, they’ve all played a really important role in shaping my understanding of so many things. It goes so deep.

Website: https://rochealphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochealphotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocheal-matthews-a088261ab

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochealPhotography/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rocheal-photography-lilburn

Image Credits
Rocheal Photography