Photographing the Buy Colorado Day Soft Launch at Stranahan’s Distillery in Denver
As a Denver event photographer, I always enjoy covering events that celebrate local businesses and bring together people who are passionate about Colorado. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the Buy Colorado Day soft launch event hosted by Grasslands at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey.
The event brought together Colorado executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for a night of networking, conversation, and celebration of the brands that make Colorado such a unique place to live and work.
Starting the Event with Networking and Happy Hour Photography
One of my favorite parts of event photography in Denver is the networking and happy hour portion of an event. This is often when the most authentic moments happen.
As guests arrived at the distillery, the atmosphere quickly filled with conversation and energy. During this time, I focused on capturing candid event photography—moments of people laughing, shaking hands, reconnecting, and enjoying a drink together. These images help tell the story of the event and showcase the genuine interactions happening in the room.
Networking time is also a great opportunity to capture group photos. People are relaxed, conversations are flowing, and it’s easy to grab quick shots of colleagues and friends smiling together. These photos are always popular because they show the community aspect of the event.
Photographing the Panel and Crowd
Later in the evening, the panel discussion began on the distillery floor. The conversation featured Colorado business leaders discussing what makes building companies in the state so special.
When covering a panel discussion as an event photographer, I always aim to capture a variety of perspectives. For this event, I focused on several types of shots:
Wide shots of the room to show the full crowd and the unique distillery setting
Medium shots of the panelists interacting and speaking
Close-up side angles that highlight expressions and create a more editorial feel
Audience reaction shots, which help show engagement and energy
Capturing multiple angles ensures the client receives a complete visual story of the event.
Delivering Event Photos Quickly for Social Media
One thing that’s very important in corporate event photography is turnaround time. Clients often want to share highlights from their event on social media right away while the momentum is still there.
Because of that, I always make it a priority to deliver a preview gallery quickly. For most events, I provide at least 15 edited images within 24 hours so the client has professional photos ready to post on social media, share with attendees, or send to media outlets.
The full gallery is typically delivered within three to five days, giving the client a complete set of polished images for marketing, recap posts, and future promotions.
Why Events Like This Are So Fun to Photograph
Events like the Buy Colorado Day soft launch are a reminder of how strong the Colorado business community is. Bringing together leaders from brands like Icelantic Skis and Westbound & Down Brewing Company inside one of Denver’s most iconic distilleries created an incredible atmosphere.
From candid networking moments to thoughtful panel discussions, the evening was full of opportunities to capture images that help tell the story of the event.
As a Denver corporate event photographer, my goal is always to document not just what the event looked like—but how it felt.
If you’re planning a corporate event, networking mixer, panel discussion, or brand launch in Denver, professional photography can help extend the life of the event long after it ends. Great images allow organizations to share their story, highlight their community, and celebrate the people behind the work.