Capturing Elegance: Behind the Scenes of the SF Chamber's 175th Anniversary & Excellence in Business Awards
When the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce planned its 175th Anniversary and Excellence in Business Awards, it wasn’t just another event. It was a milestone celebration, decades in the making.
Hosted at the historic Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, this black-tie evening brought together the city’s most visionary businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to honor those making a real impact across the Bay Area.
Our team at Kasey Bruce Media was proud to be brought in as the official video production and photography team for the night. From the cinematic lighting to the grand architecture, everything about this event was built for impact. Our creative team’s goal was to make sure it was captured beautifully from every angle.
The Look & Feel: Film Noir Glam Meets Great Gatsby
The event’s theme, “Film Noir Elegance,” set the tone the moment guests walked through the doors of the Regency Ballroom.
Vintage-style lighting, rich floral arrangements, velvet lounge furniture, and period-inspired cocktails created a scene that felt both timeless and cinematic— like stepping into a high-society film set.
Guests arrived in tuxes, floor-length gowns, and Old Hollywood glamour. Live jazz music from Nick Rossi & Ensemble floated through the venue as guests sipped on whiskey tastings and vintage wines. The energy? Electric, polished, and full of pride for what San Francisco has accomplished over the past 175 years.
As a San Francisco video production team, we live for this level of detail and intentional design. The more layered the visuals, the more opportunity we have to tell a compelling story.
President Rodney Fong giving opening remarks before the show kicks off.
Our Role: Strategic Event Coverage from Start to Finish
The Chamber hired us to capture both event video and photography, with a focus on:
VIP guest arrivals and networking
Award winners receiving recognition
Candid crowd reactions
Stylish ambiance and decor
Brand sponsor activations
Signature food, drink, and entertainment experiences
With a packed agenda and tight timeline, our team had to be both strategic and agile. We staffed: Two experienced videographers and one roaming event photographer.
Each team member had a mission: one videographer focused on capturing movement and energy (think crowds, performances, and transitions) while the other stayed glued to key moments like speeches and awards. Our photographer floated between them, covering everything from wide room shots and sponsor tables to close-up details like calligraphy art and signature desserts.
Fast-Paced, High-Stakes Coverage
Covering a high-profile event like this isn’t just about showing up and pressing record. There’s a ton of fast decision-making and real-time coordination that goes into it—especially when you only have a few hours and a very full venue.
We were constantly:
Communicating with the Chamber’s Internal Team to stay ahead of the schedule
Identifying key guests and making sure we didn’t miss any award winners
Adjusting our lighting and camera settings to handle rapid transitions between dim lounges and spotlight-lit stages
Making creative calls on the fly when things didn’t go as planned
One of the biggest creative challenges was capturing the low-light ambiance of the Regency Ballroom while maintaining crisp, usable footage. We used fast lenses and low-light sensors on our Sony mirrorless cameras, paired with compact gimbals and soft LED fill lights where needed.
Our photographer worked in the shadows—literally—bouncing flash softly to preserve the moody atmosphere while still pulling out the richness of the décor.
Spotlight Moments That Made the Night
This wasn’t just a pretty party—it was packed with meaningful stories.
A few highlights we loved capturing were:
The Excellence in Business Award presented to organizations like Delta Dental, HOK, and University of San Francisco’s School of Management.
Emotional reactions from nonprofit leaders at R.O.C.K. (Real Options for City Kids), First Graduate, and La Cocina, who were recognized for their community contributions.
The live engraving and calligraphy booth by Blanca Lewis, where guests watched their names inscribed into a “Legacy Ledger”.
Pre-Prohibition cocktail tastings, rare whiskey pours, and stunning dessert tables from local favorites like Collette Macaron.
These weren’t just background details—they were core to the story we were telling. And when edited into the final videos, they helped evoke the feeling of actually being there.
Deliverables: High-Impact Content With Purpose
At the end of the day, we’re hired to create assets that extend the value of the event.
Here’s what we delivered:
90-Second Social Media Recap
Quick-paced and visually rich, this video was optimized for social sharing on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. We made sure it hit all the high notes in under two minutes—award wins, crowd energy, food & drinks, décor, and entertainment—edited with music that matched the jazz-meets-modern vibe.
2. 2-Minute Long-Form Recap for YouTube
This version was crafted to be more narrative-driven, combining voiceover and ambient audio to walk viewers through the event story. It’s a timeless piece the Chamber can use for future promotion, fundraising, or sponsor recaps.
3. 100+ Edited Photos
Delivered in a mix of horizontal and vertical formats, our photo gallery included:
Step-and-repeat and posed portraits
Wide ballroom scenes
Sponsor and vendor details
Crowd interactions
Key moments on stage
The Chamber now has a media library they can pull from for months—or years—to come.
Why This Project Mattered
A 175-year anniversary isn’t just another year on the calendar. It’s a generational milestone.
Being trusted to document such a major milestone in San Francisco’s business history was something we didn’t take lightly.
The night was about so much more than awards. It honored the spirit of entrepreneurship across all levels, celebrated diversity in leadership, and spotlighted the kind of community-building that’s kept this city moving forward for generations. It also reflected the resilience of a city that continues to evolve, adapt, and lead.
For our team, it was a chance to help tell that story in a way that feels real & meaningful.
For Brands & Event Planners: What to Expect Working With Us
Whether you're a nonprofit, a corporate brand, or a local organization planning your next major event, working with Kasey Bruce Media means having a creative partner from start to finish. We collaborate with you ahead of time to align on your goals, build a thoughtful shot list, and plan strategically around your event timeline. Our crew is fast-moving and experienced—skilled at capturing every important moment without getting in the way of the guest experience.
We don’t just deliver footage—we deliver polished, on-brand content that’s ready to use across multiple platforms, from social to internal communications. And because we understand the power of visual storytelling, every decision we make—from camera movement to color grading—is designed to reflect your aesthetic and elevate your message.
We’re not just there to document the event. We’re there to help you tell a story that people will remember—and give you the content to keep that story alive long after the night ends.
Ready to Make Your Next Event Unforgettable?
Planning an event in San Francisco or around the Bay Area?
Whether it’s a milestone celebration or a gala, we’d love to help you bring it to life and produce content that actually connects with your audience!
We handle everything from fast-paced social recaps to cinematic edits, and capture editorial-style photography that feels true to the energy of your event.
It’s not just about documenting what happened…it’s about telling the story in a way that people remember.
