We discuss the role of collisional energy loss on high pT photon data measured by PHENIX collaboration by calculating photon yield in jet–plasma interaction. The phase space distribution of the participating jet is dynamically evolved by solving the Fokker–Planck equation. We treat the strong coupling constant (αs) as a function of momentum and temperature while calculating the drag and diffusion coefficients. It is observed that the quenching factor is substantially modified as compared to the case when αs is taken as constant. It is shown that the data are reasonably well reproduced when contributions from all the relevant sources are taken into account. Predictions at higher beam energies relevant for LHC experiment have been made.