In the ever-evolving landscape of Portland’s creative scene, a new voice is emerging—not through words, but through the evocative, storytelling power of a Canon EOS Rebel T7. Dean Bechard, a 24-year-old photographer and creative director, has spent the last six months transitioning from a long-time hobbyist into one of the city’s most promising professional visual journalists.

Born in Henderson, Nevada, and raised in Clackamas, Oregon, Bechard’s journey to the lens was shaped by both personal resilience and academic pursuit. While studying Digital Media Communications at Clackamas Community College, he found himself at a crossroads between his interests in financial management and the arts. Ultimately, the pull of the image won out.

Mentorship and the Hip Hop Connection

Bechard’s rapid ascent in the professional space is deeply rooted in mentorship. He credited his technical foundation to photography Grant Pauli, a college peer who taught him the ins and outs of cinematic shooting. However, it was a chance meeting with Marcel Goss while working at a retirement home that served as his gateway into the heart of Portland’s community.

Through Goss, Bechard was introduced to his current mentor, artist Juma Blaq. This connection placed him directly within the local hip hop scene, an environment he has loved since childhood, having grown up listening to the Wu-Tang Clan.

“Juma sees a lot of potential in me… He really believes in me,” Bechard said. “I’ve never really had anyone who believed in me like that before. It’s caused me to really push myself.”

A Signature Style: The “Cinematic Carousel”

Bechard describes himself first and foremost as a storyteller. Eschewing simple framing for psychological impact, he curates his work into “cinematic carousels” on social media. His goal is to lead the viewer through an emotional arc—starting with “poppy,” high-detail images to grab attention, moving through moody atmospheres, and often ending with silhouetted shots.

Here are 10 of Bechard’s favorite photos he took over the last year:

In 2025, Bechard reached significant milestones in his artistic career:

Bechard’s first professional shoot was Too $hort at The Roseland Theater, where he met Portland hip-hop legend Cool Nutz.
He shot PDX Hip Hop Week, a turning point that confirmed his career path and allowed him to document local icons like Karma Rivera, Wynne, and the Lifesavas, he said.
He shot Felly at Holocene, which he called a “dream come true” where he connected with Felly, an artist he had followed since middle school.
The W(h)ealthy Walks: The foundational community work that continues to drive his passion for the city.
Recently, he shot The Mixer: Making Portland Home, attended by Converge’s own The Big O and Besa Gordon last month, as pictured below.

Reframing The Rose City

For Bechard, photography is more than a career; it is a tool for civic advocacy. Disturbed by the negative reputation Portland has garnered in recent years, he uses his visual journalism to showcase the beauty and caring community he experiences daily.

Looking toward the future, Bechard’s ambitions are as sharp as his focus. Within five years, he plans to leverage his business background to launch his own LLC and production company. His ultimate goal is to move from behind the lens to the role of a curator, putting together the events and stories that define the Pacific Northwest.

“I want to change the reputation of Portland,” he said. “Through my storytelling, my photographs… I want to show what Portland really is about.”