Beginning in his teenage years, Bradley’s interest in photography developed while documenting his friends skateboarding and capturing the spirit and grit of 1990s youth culture. Originally from the West Coast and having lived as far east as New York City, he ultimately settled in the Midwest, drawn to its rust-belt character and cultural energy, qualities that reminded him of his time living in Buffalo.

Bradley’s passion for image making led him to formal study at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, where he earned a B.A. in Commercial Advertising Photography. After graduating, he honed his craft through hands-on experience, learning that technical knowledge alone cannot replace patience, adaptability, and time in the field. Later, he earned an M.F.A. in Visual Studies from SUNY Buffalo, a formative chapter that shaped him not only as an image-maker but as a visual communicator and thinker.

It was while photographing homes designed by mid-century architect John L.E. Boardman that he realized the allure of architectural photography. Drawn by the technical and creative challenges of the work, it tested his instincts and refined his understanding of light, space, and intention. It was both frustrating and energizing, and it confirmed that this was the work he wanted to pursue. Ultimately, architectural photography became a path for growth, learning to navigate the structure of space, embrace the spontaneity of time, and meet each challenge with problem-solving and creativity.

Today, Bradley specializes in commercial and residential architectural photography based in St. Louis, Missouri, with projects extending nationwide. His work reflects a deep respect for design, structure, and the lived experience of space. He is a tenured Professor of Photography at Southeast Missouri State University. When not photographing, he tends to his 1952 mid-century ranch, designed by John L.E. Boardman, where he lives with his family and a small herd of dogs