Recently, I had the opportunity to work with drummer Clayton Craddock for a branding session.

Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Boyle, Norm Lewis, Denise Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.

Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include: tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life And Times Of The Temptations, and more. He is also the founder of  Broadway Drumming 101.

Before the shoot, we discussed how we could create the kind of photos that would speak to both his artistry and his personality. From our conversations, I knew we needed to showcase the emotion that comes with live performances and the precision of his technique, all while capturing his unique personal style.

We chose a variety of locations around New York City for the shoot. From the city’s iconic streets and vibrant alleyways to the intimate setting of his studio, each backdrop provided an opportunity to capture Clayton in a different light.

Clayton’s branding session went beyond just taking stylistic pictures — it was about helping him define and refine his visual identity. I love how these photos came out and I couldn’t wait to share them here!