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Two Members Of Navajo Nation Fill Water Containers

Giving Documentary Footage a Second Life

It’s always rewarding when footage from a documentary project continues to find new life after the original film is finished. That has happened recently with "Upstream, Downriver: Uniting for Water Justice," a film I wrote about earlier after it began airing on PBS. I was the director of photography for the segment filmed in Navajo Nation, and that experience has stayed with me. The story, the landscape, and the people we filmed all carried real weight. The director, Maggie Burnette…

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A Navajo Woman Stands Under A Waterfall

Reconnecting with Old Friends and New Voices on the Documentary Film “Upstream, Downriver”

I’m excited to share a project that means a lot to me. "Upstream, Downriver: Uniting for Water Justice" is now playing on local PBS stations, and I was the director of photography for the segment filmed in Navajo Nation two Septembers ago. The film highlights communities across the U.S. that are on the frontlines of water justice, and the Navajo Nation is one of the places where that issue is especially urgent. Around 30 percent of homes there still don’t…

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An Elderly Man Smiles While Being Served Lunch At Coal Creek Meals On Wheels

Creating a Fundraising Video for Meals on Wheels

I recently had the pleasure of working with one of my favorite clients again — Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, based in East Boulder County, Colorado. This is the sixth video I’ve created for them, and every time I collaborate with their team, I’m reminded of just how special this organization is. For those of you unfamiliar, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels is unique in the world of meal delivery. Unlike most chapters that serve pre-prepared meals, they make all…

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East High School Denver

Behind the Lens: My Contribution to The Economist’s Story on Gun Violence in Schools

I wanted to share a recent project that was both challenging and deeply impactful. I had the opportunity to contribute as a field producer and director of photography to a poignant multimedia story by The Economist, focusing on gun violence in schools and called "Inside a Month of America's School Shootings." My contribution specifically zeroed in on East High School (pictured above) in Denver, Colorado, and it was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. For several days,…

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Behind the Lens: Capturing Coke & Guac with Seattle’s Blitz

Commercial photography has a way of keeping you on your toes. One day, you're shooting cocktails in a swanky hotel, and the next, you're capturing a unique moment with Blitz—the Seattle Seahawks' mascot—making guacamole and enjoying a Coke. This shoot was all about blending Coca-Cola's brand with the fun, laid-back vibe of a mascot in the kitchen. The setup for this shoot was simple—a bright, homey space that allowed Blitz to dive into the guacamole-making process. As a photographer, I…

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Tackling Guac and Coke with Denver Broncos’ Miles

Commercial photography assignments always bring something new, and this time, I found myself in the kitchen with none other than Miles, the Denver Broncos' mascot. The goal? Capture Miles whipping up some guacamole while sipping on a Coke—showcasing the perfect mix of laid-back fun and brand appeal. This shoot wouldn’t have been nearly as smooth without the help of the incredible food stylist on set. From perfectly ripe avocados to the vibrant arrangement of ingredients, the stylist’s work really elevated…

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Abstract Art By Doug Gritzmacher

Art in Ad Club Colorado!

I’m thrilled to have five abstract painting accepted into JUICE, an art exhibit by Ad Club Colorado! My work will be displayed tomorrow at Lumenati along with art by other creatives in Colorado’s professional ad community. Thursday, 6pm, May 12th 3839 Jackson St. Denver CO 80205 https://adclubco.com/juice I call these pieces "Poodles", which are painting doodles. They are mixed media on paper. You can check out more of my painting work on Instagram: @gritzarts_poodles. *** 5/20/22 Update: I went to pick…

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A Stylist In Her Studio In Denver

Lions, Tigers, and … Zebras? Oh My!

Faux tiger hide rugs. Crocodile skin vinyl chairs. Zebra striped walls. These were just some of the many design flourishes I found at a recent assignment in Denver. My client, Image Studios, houses several independent stylists under one roof. In this co-working model, they work hard to set their spaces apart with their use of luxurious design. I was hired to create photos and videos to help attract new tenants with high-end clients. An appeal for tenants is the freedom to personalize their spaces. I chose…

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A Girl Waves Out Her Window

New Story-Based Video for Iowa Nonprofit

"You did it again, Doug! Gave us the chills and the feels." That was the response from my client at the Short Years Partnership when I sent her the first draft of this video last week. She is a client I have worked with for several years in Colorado. Two years ago she took a position at a nonprofit in Iowa. “Give me two years,” she said. In June, exactly two years later, I got an email from her asking…

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The Appraisal Foundation Vice President Lisa Desmarais

Portrait for Valuation Magazine

Valuation Magazine reached out to me again this month to create a portrait of a vice president at the Appraisal Institute for their upcoming quarterly issue. I had a great experience creating portraits of their new president last year so I was happy to work with them again. Whenever I do a magazine shoot I always like to see the story ahead of time to get ideas that will resonate visually. Unfortunately, that wasn't available yet. I asked if it…

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Virtual Fundraiser for Meals on Wheels

I've had the pleasure working with a Meals on Wheels chapter in Boulder County for the past five years to create story-based videos for their annual fundraising event. Late in 2019 their director moved on to another chapter of her life and was followed by a new director, Lark Rambo. I was looking forward to working with her but when Covid-19 hit they cancelled their fundraising event. This spring they decided to bring it back - virtually. This has become…

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Divorce Matters Commercial

Creating a Broadcast Commercial During Covid

Over the summer I was contacted by a creative director at an agency in Florida who liked the emotionally driven strength of my portfolio and thought I'd be a good fit to create a broadcast commercial for a client of theirs in Denver. That client is Divorce Matters, a Denver law firm specializing in divorce, a sensitive subject to be sure. I agreed to take on the project and created (serving as director, cinematographer, and editor) the 30-second broadcast commercial…

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Totally Under Control Film

Shooting A Documentary During Covid

Back in July I got a phone call from a producer in New York at Jigsaw Productions, Alex Gibney's production company. Alex Gibney gained notoriety 20 years ago with his documentary, "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room." He has made several documentary films and series since, often on high profile subjects. His latest project was a film about the government's response to covid-19. They wanted to include an interview from Max Kennedy Jr. (grandson of RFK), who happened to…

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A Mom And Her Daughter Water Plants At Habitat For Humanity House

Habitat For Humanity Goes Virtual

Many nonprofit organizations hold an annual in-person fundraising event where they raise the bulk of their funding for the year. Videos are often shown at these events with the goal of engaging prospective donors on an emotional level. Over the years I've created several such videos to great success. I focus on the stories of people who have benefited from my client's services. And I use a documentary and observational style to tell those stories in an authentic and humanistic…

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The Action Center Nonprofit Fundraising Video

How I Put Color Back in Maureen’s Life

I've been making films in one form or another for 20 years. You would think I have seen it all. But every project I take on has something unique about it that requires thinking of a new solution or approach. I suppose that's one of the reasons I still love doing what I do so many years in. Such was the case with the latest video I created for The Action Center, a nonprofit in Lakewood, Colorado, that provides immediate…

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A Home For Gerardo

Jerry Caruso had a very successful business remodeling kitchens. It allowed him to have a nice house. Cars. Pay for his children's education. But it wasn't enough. Something was missing. I need to find a way to give back, he thought. One afternoon he met with with a doctor at Children's Hospital. Jerry asked him if he knew of something that needed help but is often overlooked. The doctor told him that there was a lot of assistance out there…

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A Holistic Portfolio is Born

Apologies if you felt a breath of air come from your screen after landing on this website. That was just me blowing off some lint after rubbing in the final polish on what is a brand new website for me. I began my career in Washington, DC, where I worked primarily as a freelance director of photography. I shot a ton of VIP interviews and content for documentaries and broadcast television. It was fun and rewarding, but after 10 years…

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