Capturing Gensler’s Promotion Ceremony: A Corporate Event Videographer NYC Perspective
December 23, 2025
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I’m Alex Kaplan, a Headshot Photographer and videographer based in New Milford, NJ, serving Northern.
December 23, 2025
When a corporate event videographer NYC gets the call to document a major architecture firm’s promotion ceremony, you know it’s going to be special. Gensler’s recent celebration at The Glasshouse in Manhattan wasn’t just another corporate gathering—it was a multi-office, high-energy broadcast connecting five locations across the country, with the New York team taking center stage.
Walking into The Glasshouse at 660 12th Ave, I immediately felt the anticipation in the air. The space was set up with a professional stage and seated audience configuration, perfect for capturing the dynamic moments that were about to unfold. My mission was clear: deliver smooth, flattering b-roll video of Gensler’s Co-CEOs during their speeches and capture authentic moments of the NY office celebrating their colleagues’ well-deserved promotions.
The event kicked off at 3pm sharp with something I don’t see every day—a live broadcast connecting Gensler offices across multiple cities. The energy was electric as each office appeared on screen, with teams jumping up, waving, and cheering for each other. Capturing the New York team’s genuine excitement from the front of the room was pure gold. These are the moments that make corporate event videography in Manhattan so rewarding—real people, real emotions, unscripted celebration.
As a New York corporate videographer who’s worked with everyone from startups to Fortune 500s, I can tell you that Gensler’s culture stood out immediately. The way their regional managing principals Joe and Rocco commanded the room, the warmth in Robin’s presence (recently retired but clearly still family), and the leadership style of NY Managing Directors Tom, Amanda, and Joe Lauro—it all translated beautifully on video.
From 3:30 to 4pm, the real heart of the event unfolded. Each newly appointed Principal received their moment in the spotlight—a speech honoring their contributions, followed by that walk to the stage for hugs that captured years of hard work paying off. As a Manhattan corporate event video specialist working in New York’s competitive market, I’ve learned that these intimate moments within big ceremonies are what clients treasure most.
The key was staying mobile and anticipating those emotional beats. When someone’s name was announced, I positioned myself to catch their reaction—the surprise, the pride, the moment they stood up. Then following them to the stage to capture that embrace with leadership. These aren’t just promotional materials; they’re career milestones that people will revisit for years.
The ceremony continued with Senior Associates and Associates receiving their appointments between 4pm and 4:40pm. While the format was similar—brief speech, stage walk, hug, gift presentation—each person’s journey was unique. My job was to make every single person feel like the star of their own moment, even within the efficient flow of multiple appointments.
I focused on capturing the culture Gensler is known for: people genuinely celebrating each other. The smiles, the nods of recognition, the applause, the laughter between announcements. This is the footage that ends up in corporate culture videos because it’s authentic. No staging required when you’ve got a team that’s actually excited to be there.
The Glasshouse itself was an ideal venue for this videography work. Located at 660 12th Ave in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, the space offered everything you need for professional NYC corporate video production. The natural light from the windows, the clean architectural lines (fitting for an architecture firm!), and the professional stage setup all contributed to visually compelling video footage. The space worked with me rather than against me—always a plus when you’re shooting corporate events in New York where venue conditions can vary wildly.
What made this Gensler shoot successful wasn’t just technical execution—it was understanding the assignment. They didn’t need a straight recording of speeches. They needed moments. They needed energy. They needed footage that could live in multiple contexts: internal communications, recruitment materials, social media, culture videos.
As someone who’s been doing corporate event videography in NYC for over 30 years, I’ve learned that corporate doesn’t mean boring. Companies like Gensler are filled with passionate people doing incredible work, and when you give them a platform to celebrate each other, the content practically shoots itself. My job is just to be in the right place with the right framing when those moments happen.
The multi-office broadcast angle added an extra layer of complexity and opportunity. Capturing the New York team not just as individuals but as part of a larger national organization celebrating together—that’s powerful storytelling. It’s what separates adequate event coverage from video content that actually gets used.
One specific request from Gensler was b-roll footage—not a straight recording of the event, but dynamic clips that could be edited into various formats. This is where an experienced videographer adds real value. Instead of just setting up a camera and letting it run, I actively worked the room, capturing different angles, reactions, and moments that editors can weave together into compelling narratives.
The Co-CEOs’ speeches received priority attention, with multiple angles and framings to give editors options. But equally important was capturing those spontaneous moments: colleagues congratulating each other, the standing ovations, the genuine smiles, the pride in people’s eyes as their teammates were recognized. This is the footage that makes corporate culture videos feel real rather than staged.
Whether you’re planning a promotion ceremony, product launch, conference, or team celebration in Manhattan, the right New York corporate videographer can transform your event into lasting video content that serves your organization for months or years to come. The key is finding someone who understands that corporate events aren’t just about documentation—they’re about capturing the human moments that define your culture.
For Gensler’s promotion ceremony at The Glasshouse, we delivered exactly what they needed: dynamic b-roll of leadership, authentic moments of celebration from the NY office, and footage versatile enough to serve multiple purposes across their communications channels. Professional Manhattan corporate event video that makes your team look as good as they deserve to look—and actually gets used, not just archived.
Learn more about our corporate event videography services
Read about other corporate events we’ve covered
What should a corporate event videographer capture at a promotion ceremony?
Beyond speeches and formal moments, focus on authentic reactions—colleagues congratulating each other, standing ovations, the pride in people’s eyes when their teammates are recognized. This b-roll footage is what makes corporate culture videos feel genuine. For multi-office broadcasts, capture your local team’s energy and engagement with remote colleagues.
Do you offer live broadcast support for corporate events?
Yes, I provide live broadcast support for corporate events. Whether you need multi-camera live streaming, webcast production, or hybrid event coverage, I can handle the full scope or bring in additional crew depending on your setup requirements. My approach ensures you get both the live broadcast execution you need and the high-quality b-roll footage that serves your organization long after the event concludes—recruitment videos, internal communications, and social media content that extends the value of your investment.
How is b-roll used after corporate events?
B-roll footage serves multiple purposes: recruitment videos showcasing company culture, internal communications celebrating team milestones, social media content highlighting employee achievements, and training materials for new hires. The best corporate event video gives your communications team options—different angles, various moments, and versatile clips that can be edited into multiple formats over time. That’s why clients like Gensler request b-roll rather than straight event recordings.
If your team is planning a corporate event, promotion ceremony, or multi-office broadcast in NYC, let’s talk about capturing video content that actually gets used—not just archived. I’ll help you tell your team’s story in a way that serves your organization for months to come.
Alex Kaplan
📞 917-992-9097
📧 alex@alexkaplanphoto.com
🌐 https://alexkaplanphoto.com
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