What Creativity Really Looks Like: Behind the Scenes with Patrick Clayton

When people see a beautifully produced event, they rarely think about what it actually takes to make it happen.

They see the finished product.
They don’t see the plywood, freight elevators, tight timelines, or last-minute pivots.

In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, I sat down with Patrick Clayton, founder of Patrick J. Clayton Productions, to talk about what creativity really looks like behind the scenes — and why it’s never as effortless as it appears.

From Nebraska to New York City

Patrick and I go way back — to Doane College days filled with choir rehearsals, theatre productions, and big creative dreams.

Like many creatives, Patrick didn’t start with a perfectly mapped-out plan. He studied business while living deeply in the arts, eventually realizing that his creativity paired with business strategy could open doors far beyond what he imagined.

That realization led him from Nebraska to New York City and eventually to a career producing events across the country.

Building a Business (One Step at a Time)

Patrick didn’t launch his company with massive funding or a huge team. He started with three months of rent saved, a spare bedroom that doubled as an office, and a willingness to figure things out as he went.

Over time, that bedroom became a studio.
The studio became a floor.
The floor became a full production operation with wood shops, flower shops, warehouses, and teams on both coasts.

The growth wasn’t overnight — it was gradual, intentional, and sometimes uncomfortable.

The Work You Don’t See

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was pulling back the curtain on what people don’t think about when it comes to events.

Patrick shared how:

• Walls often have to be built in pieces — not for aesthetics, but because of elevators

• Freight access, union rules, and setup windows can dictate creative decisions

• Clients still expect perfection at 3 PM, no matter what obstacles happened at noon

As Patrick put it:

“The client shows up at 3 PM and wants the same result.”

That pressure is something photographers understand deeply and it’s why collaboration and respect between creatives matters so much.

Decorating the White House

Yes — Patrick once helped decorate the East Wing of the White House.

He shared how he applied, what the behind-the-scenes warehouses look like (including replica doorways built just to size garland correctly), and what it felt like as a kid from Nebraska carrying ornaments through one of the most iconic buildings in the country.

It was magical. It was emotional. And it’s an experience he still carries with him today.

Rising Costs & Creative Reality

We also talked honestly about rising costs — materials, tariffs, transportation — and how those realities affect creativity.

When everything costs more, you don’t get to ignore logistics. You adapt. You reuse. You pivot. You communicate.

Creativity doesn’t disappear — it just has to work harder.

Fix It First. Feel Later.

The most powerful lesson from this episode might be Patrick’s approach to crisis moments.

When something goes wrong:
Fix it first.
Don’t spiral.
Don’t panic outwardly.
Make it right.

There’s time to process later — but in the moment, leadership means staying steady.

That mindset applies far beyond events. It applies to photography sessions, businesses, and life.

The Confession Booth Moment

And yes… Patrick shared the story of the time he realized an 1,100-person event was happening that day, not the next.

It involved frantic phone calls, friends leaving work early, and an all-hands-on-deck scramble.

The event was ready by four.
The client never knew.
And systems were definitely changed afterward.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a reminder that creativity isn’t just vision — it’s logistics, resilience, trust, and the ability to pivot when things go sideways.

Whether you’re behind a camera, running a business, or building something from scratch, Patrick’s story offers perspective, reassurance, and a little humor along the way.