Rashida Saunders speaking into a microphone at a community storytelling event.

Illuminate Your Story. Unleash Your Potential.

Join the Permission to Break Community

Your Words. Your Power. Our Mission.

At Black Ember, we believe stories heal and transform. Our work is rooted in resilience, care, and legacy, supporting people as they reconnect with their voice and move toward lives that feel aligned and purposeful. Guided by lived experience and deep respect for the healing process, we meet you where you are and walk with you at your pace.

Black Ember is a creative space shaped by story, presence, and transformation. We create with intention, honoring truth, connection, and the quiet power of being fully seen. This work invites reflection, growth, and a deeper return to self.

Ways We Walk With You.

Every person carries a story shaped by resilience, creativity, and becoming. At Black Ember, we walk alongside you as you reconnect with your voice, honor where you have been, and move toward what feels aligned and true. Through story centered work and intentional creation, we offer spaces for healing, clarity, and transformation, meeting you where you are and moving at your pace.

IGNITE YOUR INNER FLAME

COACHING

Our photography centers presence, connection, and authenticity, creating space to capture moments that feel real and meaningful. With a calm, intentional approach, we honor identity, relationships, and milestones in a way that feels natural and unforced. The result is imagery that preserves memory, emotion, and the quiet beauty of being seen.

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CAPTURE YOUR ESSENCE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Our personalized coaching offers gentle, grounded guidance to help you navigate challenges, clarify your vision, and grow with intention. For leaders, creatives, and organizations, this work naturally extends into consulting rooted in storytelling, emotional intelligence, and sustainable change.

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Rashida Saunders holding a camera and smiling while preparing to take a photograph.

BRING YOUR STORY TO LIGHT

PUBLISHING

Have a story waiting to be told? Our publishing work offers a guided, supportive process that nurtures your manuscript from concept to completion. With thoughtful editorial care and intentional strategy, we help shape your words with integrity and ensure they reach the audience they were meant for.

Start your Journey
Printed manuscript pages titled “Permission to Break” resting on a table beside a cup of coffee.
Young child dressed in a blue suit sitting on stone steps during a portrait session.

Our Portfolio

Explore a curated selection of our photography work, capturing moments of connection, celebration, resilience, and becoming.

Each image reflects our commitment to presence, care, and storytelling that honors people as they are—real, layered, and worthy of being seen.

Explore the Gallery
Woman embracing a young child during an outdoor portrait session beneath an archway.

  • I’m no model, but she made it easy. It was a vibe! We go way back, but she definitely knew how to make me feel comfortable in front of the camera.

    RaSean Cochran

  • I scheduled a Mother’s Day photoshoot with Black Ember Photography, and let’s just say my son was less than motivated. He had a full crying meltdown as we were pulling up to the shoot. Rashida was able to coach him into not only cooperating but actually having fun. She truly saved the day and delivered amazing photos!

    Jayme Ballard

  • Working with Rashida is always amazing! She makes you feel comfortable and confident, guiding you every step of the way. Her patience and eye for detail turn every moment into something effortlessly beautiful. I take every chance I can to get in front of her camera — she was made for this!

    Alisinae Jackson

  • I hired Rashida to take photos of me and my children, and she did an incredible job. She made us feel completely comfortable and captured the most genuine moments — the kind that tell a story. Every image was beautiful and full of emotion. I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out.

    Madison Ceaser

  • Black Ember offers a range of creative and healing services, including coaching, photography, and publishing. Each service is designed to support storytelling, clarity, and meaningful growth.

  • Yes. In addition to individual coaching, Black Ember offers consulting for leaders, creatives, and organizations seeking thoughtful, trauma-informed guidance rooted in storytelling, emotional intelligence, and sustainable change.

  • Black Ember works with individuals, creatives, leaders, and organizations seeking thoughtful, purpose-driven work rooted in storytelling, healing, and growth.

  • We’re based in Portland, Oregon, and work with clients nationwide. Photography sessions and events are available for travel, and all publishing, coaching, and consulting services can be provided virtually.

  • The best way to begin is by starting a conversation. Reach out through our inquiry form and share a bit about what you’re looking for. We’ll follow up with next steps and see how we can best support you.

FAQ’S

Take The First Step

Have questions?

Reach out—we’re here to support you.