Branding Photoshoot for an Up-and-Coming Musician Downtown Cleveland
When my cousin Teddy reached out last month and asked if he could come to Cleveland for a photoshoot, I was instantly excited. He was just about to drop his third release with Disciple Records and needed updated photos for promo materials, profile pics, social media, future album art etc. Since he was willing to drive all the way from central New York, we planned a creative two-day shoot to make the most of his visit!
About Teddy aka ‘Eccentric’
Eccentric, a rising dubstep mastermind of the quiet, rural landscapes of upstate New York from which I also hail, enthralls listeners far and wide with his intricate melodies and genre-blending compositions. With a deep-rooted passion for music and an ear for striking sound design, he has cultivated a unique identity in the ever-evolving world of electronic music. As his cousin I might be a little biased, but he is pretty amazing and I was so honored to get to help him with this project. Check him out on all the socials here if you’re into dubstep and/or just cool musicians!
Day One — Squires Castle
We started our first session at Squires Castle here in Willoughby Hills during golden hour. The stone walls, dramatic shadows, and cool light were perfect for the cinematic, moody aesthetic we wanted. The vibe fit his aesthetic so well, and the location gave us plenty of spots to experiment with composition and lighting.
Day Two — Downtown Cleveland in The Flats
For day two, Teddy was on the hunt for either graffiti or bridges (or both if we could manage) so I took him to a spot I thought might deliver both. We headed down to The Flats west bank for a more urban, industrial feel. The mix of metal beams, cement textures, and the start of the skyline in the background helped us create images that were edgy and modern — the kind of photos that work great for promo graphics or artist profiles.
We also worked his guitar into a bunch of shots both days to highlight his identity as more than just a dubstep creator; he’s an amazing guitarist as well! He really wanted his guitar front and center to bring attention to this skill that makes him unique from many artists in the genre.
Getting Creative With Style + Editing
Because this was my first branding session for a musician, I really took my time experimenting with both shooting and editing. My usual style leans true to color or even on the light bright side, but this project called for something darker and more intense. I leaned into shadows and played with tones, angles, and editing that created a totally different feel than anything I have done so far.
It felt refreshing to explore a style that aligns more with the electronic/dubstep world, and it made me even more excited to work with more artists in different music scenes.
If You’re a Musician Looking for Branding Photos…
If you’re part of the Cleveland music scene — or interested in travel — and need creative branding photos to level up your online presence, I’d love to collaborate. Even though this was my first musician branding session, I had an amazing time and I’d be excited to create more!
