The inception of Pixel Pro photo booths was sparked when founder Chris Barreto and his wife awaited the arrival of their first baby and realized the daunting cost of childcare.

Barreto said he thought, “What is something fun that I can do?” He recalled the photo strips that he and his wife, Amanda, still had from their wedding four years before. He started Pixel Pro with a manufactured shell and unique backgrounds to create the photo strips.

That idea a year and a half ago has become a growing business that will be among the vendors participating in MiraCosta College’s Alumnipalooza being held June 7 on the MiraCosta College campus.

Looking back on his journey, Barreto said his life turned around when he attended MiraCosta College. He had initially attended San Francisco State University when he graduated from high school, but left the school after two years with low grades when he saw he wasn’t ready to be far from home.

He spent a year as a lifeguard at Oceanside beach before deciding to resume his education at MiraCosta College.

Barreto found his focus when he connected with MiraCosta College counselor Jed Schlueter, who met with him monthly to discuss his academic schedule.

“He was such a guiding light. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Barreto said. “He was just amazing.”

Barreto, who was on the president’s list every semester, graduated from MiraCosta College in 2015 with an associate degree in business administration. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from CSU San Marcos in 2017.

Barreto works as a software developer for Patagonia during the week and runs Pixel Pro with his sister Luana on the weekends.

The booths are popular for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events, and have also been set up at the Front Wave Arena for more than three dozen basketball, soccer and arena football games.

Despite the rapid growth of Pixel Pro, Barreto remains grounded in a humble aspiration: “If it just pays for childcare, that’s all I really care about.”