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Quick answer
As a groundbreaking photographer Colorado builders call, Rocky Mountain Photography also produces groundbreaking video in Denver of the ceremony, speakers, and stakeholders. Our crew captures shovels turning dirt, speeches, guests, and Part 107 drone views of the site, then delivers a short highlight film, social clips, and an edited photo gallery for press releases, investor updates, and project archives.
A groundbreaking video in Denver turns a short ceremony into a lasting piece of the project story. In less than an hour, owners, architects, contractors, lenders, and city officials gather on an empty site, give speeches, and turn the first ceremonial dirt. That footage later opens progress films, appears in investor updates and community newsletters, and becomes the first chapter of the completion video.
Rocky Mountain Photography, founded in Denver in 2016 by brothers Jeff and Nick Perry, films and photographs groundbreakings across Colorado for developers, public agencies, schools, hospitals, and nonprofits. We know how to capture both the formal moments and the energy of the day, and our Part 107-certified drone pilots can add aerial views of the site that show the scale of what is about to be built.
A typical groundbreaking film runs a few minutes and follows the day in order. It opens with establishing shots of the site, often from the drone, along with signage and renderings. Next come guest arrivals, branded hard hats and shovels, and conversations among stakeholders. Speeches are recorded with clean audio, and we pull the strongest lines for the edit. The centerpiece is the dirt-turning moment, captured from several angles, including a wide group shot, close-ups of shovels and faces, and a slow-motion version. The film often ends with a look ahead, such as a rendering, a site plan, or a quote about what the project means. Vertical clips of the shovel moment and a key quote are cut for social media. We also deliver the full speech recordings for your archive.
Photos and video are usually captured together by a coordinated crew. The photographer covers formal group shots of executives, the project team, partners, and dignitaries, plus candid images of guests, speakers, and details like the program, signage, and ceremonial shovels. The classic photo is the shovel line, with everyone in hard hats turning dirt in unison, and we stage it so faces are visible and the background shows the site, the skyline, or a rendering board rather than parked trucks. Many organizations also want photos of individual speakers, small groups with elected officials, and press interviews. A small highlight set can be delivered quickly for social posts, followed by the full edited gallery. Next-day delivery is available on many photo shoots, which helps communications teams send the press release fast.
If you are planning a groundbreaking, a few details make the photos and video stronger. Use branded hard hats and shovels with clean handles, and set them out on a mound of loose dirt, since packed ground is hard to turn. Place a large rendering or project sign behind the shovel line. Keep speeches short and plan a clear moment for the dirt turn so everyone knows when to act. Consider a time capsule, a signed shovel, a ceremonial first excavator scoop, or students from a future school taking part. Morning events often have better light and cooler temperatures in summer. We can suggest a run of show and staging that works for the camera. After the event, ongoing progress documentation and the topping out ceremony continue the story.
“Rocky Mountain Photography is wonderful to work with! They create so much value with their services.I recommend Rocky Mountain Photography without reservation!”
“If you're looking for the BEST photography company to work with, you've found it at Rocky Mountain Photography! Our company had so much fun getting our head shots taken! Jeff really knows how to get an authentic expression by making the experience fun! We love our pictures!”
Rocky Mountain Photography was absolutely wonderful to work with. We used several of their studio spaces, black cyc wall, white cyc wall, and green screen audio room, to shoot photo and video for our adaptive wheelchair apparel launch. We look forward to shooting with them again in the future!
Rocky Mountain Photography provided an extraordinary service to our corporate events. They captured fantastic photos of our speakers, exhibitors, and sponsored events. They were also creative and went above and beyond what was specifically requested. We’ve hired them several times and would highly recommend them to any event organizer looking for professional high quality media.
“Great service, quality, and speed. In addition to being a great photographer, Jeff is also a great guy to work with. Thanks again man!”
“Our brokerage has sold millions of dollars of commercial real estate across Colorado. Rocky Mountain Photography has been an excellent partner of ours, creating high quality professional media to showcase these various investment properties. They’re consistently reliable, communicative and on-time.”
Had an awesome time working with Rocky Mountain Photography on a shoot! Great communication through the whole process, excellent attention to detail. Would love to work with them again!
“Rocky Mountain Photography is a fantastic business! We used them for professional property photos for two of our commercial properties and were very satisfied with their work and help. They are very responsive, reasonable and talented. The pictures were exactly what we needed to effectively market our properties!”
“Great and thoroughly professional experience.. Quality, timeliness, delivery, and accounting were all best in class. Above and beyond service, can’t wait to work with this team again.”
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Serving hundreds of businesses and thousands of clients, Rocky Mountain Photography is a trusted choice for exceptional photography, video, & drone services.
Our process begins with a detailed understanding of your project, followed by the assignment of a dedicated project manager. We then determine the ideal package to meet and exceed your media needs.
Once your project needs are understood, our team schedules and captures your photography, video, or drone media professionally from ground and sky, making sure to include all client specifications and instructions.
Upon completion, we meticulously edit and upload the media for your review, providing any necessary updates or revisions before sending the final high-resolution deliverables to you on time and on budget.
Most highlight films run a few minutes, with shorter vertical clips for social media. We also deliver full recordings of each speech. Length depends on the number of speakers and how the video will be used in Denver communications and investor updates.
Yes. We can provide a small highlight set soon after the event for social posts and press releases, then deliver the full gallery. Next-day delivery is available on many photo shoots. Share your press timeline in advance.
Yes, when airspace and site conditions allow. Part 107-certified pilots check airspace authorization before every flight, avoid flying over guests, and capture the empty site and the crowd from safe positions for the opening of the film.
Branded hard hats and shovels, a loose dirt mound, a rendering or sign behind the shovel line, short speeches, and a clear moment for the dirt turn all help. Time capsules, signed shovels, or a first excavator scoop add interest for guests and cameras.
Yes. We cover ceremonies across Colorado, including mountain and rural sites. Travel and timing are planned in the quote, and we confirm site access and weather contingencies with your event team ahead of the day.
Request a quote with the date, site, run of show, and expected attendance, or book online. We will confirm crew size, drone plans, and delivery timelines with your communications team before the event. A site map helps.