Photographing Zoomtopia in California

Zoomtopia is a large-scale production where every detail is intentional, from the stage design to the technology powering the experience. We had the opportunity to photograph Zoomtopia for Zoom in Pleasanton, California, starting with rehearsal day at Goal Line Studios and continuing with Leaders Connect in San Jose, California.

This project went beyond photographing speakers on stage. It was about documenting the preparation, people, and innovation behind one of Zoom’s most important events of the year.

Behind the Scenes at Goal Line Studios

Rehearsal day at Goal Line Studios is where everything comes together. Before the event ever goes live, teams are fine-tuning lighting, camera angles, graphics, and timing across a complex production environment.

Our focus was capturing the behind-the-scenes moments that most attendees never see. Control rooms filled with live feeds, producers coordinating multiple teams, presenters rehearsing transitions, and quiet moments in the green room before stepping on stage.

This type of coverage requires working efficiently without interrupting the flow of production. Knowing when to move, when to stay still, and how to anticipate moments is critical. These images play an important role in showing the craftsmanship and scale behind Zoom’s virtual experiences.

When There Are No Second Takes

Once the event goes live, the pace changes instantly. There are no second takes, no resets, and no pause button. Capturing the main Zoomtopia event meant working in real time while staying fully aware of timing, stage movement, lighting cues, and camera positions.

Every keynote moment, reaction, and transition has a narrow window. Missing a shot is not an option. Hitting the money shots requires knowing the run of show, understanding where speakers will land on stage, and coordinating with production teams so you are always in the right place at the right time.

This level of coverage depends on preparation as much as instinct. Studying schedules, walking the stage in advance, anticipating moments before they happen, and adjusting quickly when things change. It is a balance of moving fast while staying invisible, capturing impactful images without disrupting the flow of the production.

These are the images that define the event. The moments that end up on recap pages, internal decks, press releases, and future promotions. Photographing them successfully comes down to experience, awareness, and trust.

Photographing Keynotes and Special Guests

Zoomtopia also featured a standout lineup of speakers and special guests. We photographed NBA player Chris Paul and musician Jon Batiste, focusing on moments that felt authentic and engaging rather than overly staged.

Photographing high-profile guests means working within tight schedules while still creating imagery that feels natural and confident. These images are often used across press, social media, and long-term brand storytelling, so consistency and quality matter.

Capturing these moments alongside the larger production helped create a complete visual story of the event.

Leaders Connect in San Jose

Following Zoomtopia, we photographed Leaders Connect, Zoom’s executive-focused event held in San Jose. Leaders Connect brought together executives, partners, and industry leaders for conversations centered around innovation, leadership, and the future of work.

This portion of the project shifted from a broadcast-driven studio environment to a more intimate, in-person setting. We documented keynote moments, candid interactions, branded spaces, and networking conversations that showcased the human side of Zoom’s technology.

A Private Demo of Google Beam

One of the highlights of Leaders Connect was CEO and Founder of Zoom is Eric S. Yuan receiving a private demo of Google Beam. The experience offered a glimpse into how immersive communication technology is evolving and aligned closely with the conversations happening throughout the event.

Photographing this demo required a thoughtful approach, focusing on reactions, interactions, and the technology itself while maintaining confidentiality and respect for the experience. These images help tell the story of innovation without needing heavy explanation.

Telling the Full Story of the Event

Events like Zoomtopia and Leaders Connect are not just about what happens on stage. They are about preparation, collaboration, and meaningful connections behind the scenes.

By documenting rehearsal day at Goal Line Studios, keynote production, special guests, Leaders Connect, and emerging technology like Google Beam, Zoom now has a complete visual archive of the experience. These images support internal storytelling, marketing, recruiting, and future events.

This type of work requires flexibility, discretion, and a clear understanding of how imagery will be used across teams and platforms. It is exactly the kind of partnership we enjoy most.