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Big Stories. Small Crews. Anywhere.

From boardrooms to backcountry, broadcast-level storytelling built for the real world.

Emmy-winning video production for brands, organizations, and agencies who need cinematic results without big-crew overhead.

A&E • ABC News • History Channel • Comcast • Xcel Energy

SERVICES

Denver Video Production built for real environments.

7-time Emmy award-winning Director of Photography in Denver, Colorado telling bold, human, and cinematic stories for corporations, organizations, non-profits, broadcasters, and agencies across Colorado and around the world. I bring 20+ years of global visual storytelling, small-crew efficiency, and a Midwest work ethic to every project, from corporate sets to rugged outdoor locations.

Services overview

Corporate video production 

Professional interviews, brand films, executive messaging, internal communications, and event coverage delivered with a polished, broadcast-standard look.

Unscripted/Reality Director of Photography

Fast-paced, real-world production with the ability to adapt, move quickly, and capture raw moments on the fly.

News/Documentary photojournalist

Decades of field experience capturing vérité, profiles, investigative stories, and long-form documentary storytelling.

Social content creation

High-energy, modern short-form content built for reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and digital campaigns with quick turnaround.

Travel cinematographer 

Adventure and travel visuals from 60+ countries, landscapes, culture, action & environment-driven storytelling.

FAA 107 Drone operator

Aerial cinematography, FAA Part 107 certified, integration with narrative, not just pretty shots.

Editing and Post Production Services

Adobe Creative Suite, Avid, Davinci Resolve, no matter the platform, we tell can refine your story with our extensive post production skillset. 

Why small crews matter.

Lean crews adapt quickly to changing conditions, tight schedules, and real-world environments. Less setup time and fewer logistics mean more time capturing the moments that actually matter, whether that’s an executive interview or a fleeting outdoor window of light.

Less overhead. More story.

Your budget goes into the work, not unnecessary layers.

Small, experienced crews keep production lean without compromising quality. By eliminating excess personnel and complex logistics, resources stay focused on what actually elevates the story: strong visuals, thoughtful lighting, clear audio, and intentional storytelling.

Fewer people on set means faster setups, smoother schedules, and more flexibility in real-world environments. The result is broadcast-level production that feels efficient, collaborative, and purpose-built, not overproduced.

One vision, from start to finish.

No handoffs. No miscommunication. Consistent creative direction.

When you work with a small, focused crew led by an experienced Director of Photography, your project moves faster and stays aligned from concept through final delivery. You work directly with the creative decision-maker, so nothing gets lost in translation, and the story stays intact from shoot to edit.

Built for locations, not studios. 

Most stories don’t live on sound stages. They happen in real workplaces, remote landscapes, unpredictable weather, and active environments. Small, mobile crews are designed for that reality moving efficiently, adapting quickly, and capturing authentic moments without disrupting the space.

By working lean and location-ready, production stays flexible and respectful of the environment. Whether filming executives on site or stories unfolding outdoors, the focus remains on the moment, the people, and the story, not the footprint of the crew.

Why work with me?

You’re not hiring a crew, you’re hiring an experienced creative partner who can lead, adapt, and deliver without friction.

  • 20+ years of professional storytelling across broadcast, corporate, documentary, and commercial work

  • Emmy-winning Director of Photography trusted by national networks and major brands

  • Corporate + documentary + commercial versatility, one skill set, many environments

  • FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot for integrated aerial storytelling

  • Small-crew specialist delivering big-crew results, efficiency without compromise

  • Zero rental delays, I own, maintain, and travel with professional-grade gear

  • Fast turnaround & clear communication, fewer layers, faster decisions

  • Denver-based with global experience, adaptable, travel-ready, and location-tested

WORK

Featured work

Real stories. Real locations. Crafted with intention.

A selection of stories captured in real environments with small, experienced crews.

Featured Videos

Featured Videos

PARTNERS

A&E Network works with Chad Zellmer Productions
City of Denver works with Chad Zellmer Productions
ABC News works with Chad Zellmer Productions
History Channel works with Chad Zellmer Productions
Testimonials

What people are saying!

Michael Cogdill-32 time Emmy winner,Founder Heartstrong Media

Chad Zellmer shoots with a genius eye, but his talents reach beyond the optics of photography. Chad shoots with his ears and heart trained to the humanity before him and his lens. He looks for more than the shot. Chad finds THE moment, captures it, and captivates audience with how he edits it into the broader narrative. Chad and I worked many a story together, with the understanding that I, as the writer, create a narrative UNDER the images. When television and film are done truly well, the words never override the images. Great photographers shoot and edit with daring. The daring to trust that the moment will come. To trust the power of silence, and never underestimate the strength of most modest piece of sound. Chad is a caring photojournalist who understands great storytelling massages the eye, but lives in the heart. He is so very rare in his talent for letting a story find its way there. I recommend him with every ounce of my reputation, and I do so with gratitude!!
Contact

Capturing moments that matter!

Available for bookings! Please reach out for your next video production in Denver

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