A year of diverse commercial and advertising photography
Travel Photography – Editorial Photography – Industrial Energy Photography – Romance Photography – Lifestyle Photography – Mining Photography – Health Care & Medical Photography
Looking back over the turning years, some were busier but few were better. Packed with an array of diverse commercial and advertising photography assignments, 2025 was an all-consuming incredible wave. One week we were deep underground depicting the life of uranium miners. And the next thing I knew, I was jetting off to Europe to shoot a commercial for an international travel company. If only the love of my work didn’t disunite the love of my life.
Travel photography – The punt boat on Arno river guides travelers at sunset under Pointe Vecchio in Florence Italy. CLIENT – Xuma Ad Agency for Globus Adventures.
For the past few years, my son Levi has been my assistant and second photographer, so he keeps us both fresher for week-long photoshoots. Video and aerial drone photography has become even more popular, as you’ll see in this article. We traveled the western U.S. for jobs in alternative energy like Fervo geothermal and Xcimer fusion energy –– spent a few weeks creating compelling images deep in underground mines for Energy Fuels (one mine is located just 6 miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon) –– and we had fun gigs closer to home too. Two of my favorite long standing clients are non-profit organizations. The Gates Institute For Regenerative Medicine offers a yearly blend of portrait, event and health-care photography. And Denver City Lax (an organization that brings lacrosse and structure to underserved youth), needs a mix of portrait, editorial photography, sports and events.
Energy engineer works on nuclear fusion laser In Denver Colorado. CLIENT – Big Dreams Studio (ad agency) for Xcimer Energy.
Aerial drone photography depicts shift change at uranium mill near Blanding Utah. CLIENT – GBSM Business & Communication Services for Energy Fuels.
Romance at Boston Harbor for engaged couple depicts a love kiss at dusk. Maria and Grant flew me to Boston for a romantic two-day photoshoot treating me to some of Boston’s finest dining experiences. I wanted to do some shots near water and we were lucky to sneak into a private yacht club where we made this sweet image.
Geothermal Energy Drill Site In Wind Farm. This image comes from a week-long photoshoot in southeast Utah. Our long days started before dawn and lasted until long after the sun went down. Levi and I had to sleep fast. On this morning, we left our hotel about 4am and were delighted when we arrived at the site to see the full June Beaver moon setting over the geothermal drilling rig. It so exciting for us to chronicle this alternative-energy undertaking. In 2026, the Fervo Energy operation becomes the largest geothermal operation in the world. Interestingly, the Fervo site is in the middle of a giant wind energy farm. CLIENT – Fervo Energy
By July, I was a little tired of hotel rooms. But the fun wasn’t over yet. I traveled to Boston for a romantic engagement photoshoot and from there, went on to Switzerland for a few days where I photographed another fine couple before landing in Firenze, Italy to shoot stills on a video commercial for an international travel company – Globus Adventures. The week-long travel ad photoshoot was as tedious as it was fun. Of course, the food was amazing! Here’s the link for the Globus video ad.
Travel photography for Globus Journeys on the Arno River in Florence Italy. CLIENT – Xuma Ad Agency for Globus Adventures.Travel lifestyle photography depicts a toast after cooking class in a Florence restaurant. CLIENT – Xuma Ad Agency for Globus Adventures.Sunset reflections over White Mesa Mill Utah – Aerial Industrial Photography. CLIENT – GBSM Business & Communication Services for Energy Fuels.This one comes from Viareggio Italy. I was looking the opposite direction and busy making pretty sunset pictures. It took me a second, after she passed, to see her suit matched the umbrellas. Here’s another one by Levi deCroce illustrating the geothermal drill site. The day had been a long one and I was beat. But Levi wanted one more go. He took the tripod and gear as I rested and scrolled my phone looking for a warm message. CLIENT – Fervo Energy Medical researcher at The Gates Institute with biomanufacturing for regenerative medicine is illustrated here. CLIENT – Gates Institute
Immersed In Advertising, Commercial and Travel Photography
Last month, when I was interviewed for an article for Voyage Magazine I was asked to comment about some of the obstacles and challenges of being professional photographer. I said: “The biggest challenges always come from within, right? For those in creative endeavors, that might be even more true. Because in creative pursuits, we bare our soul for all to see. When we fail, everyone knows. But as we learn to grip our fears with the talons of unrelenting tenacity, we plod on. Like climbing a tall peak, we immerse ourselves in each step’s breath until we pause for an instant to look back to see how far we’ve come. And THAT’S the reward.” But what was edited out was: “…And the other half of the reward is enjoying each step’s breath.”
This night shot of Monterosso Al Mare in Cinque Terre Italy was made after a steep climb. It was one of those occasions when savoring each step’s breath gave a reward equal to the view. Underground uranium miners are portrayed in this black and white image for Energy Fuels in the La Sal mountains of Utah.Street life in Florence Italy.Boston RomanceA pair of nuclear fusion engineers work on the LPK (long pulse kinetic) laser at Xcimer Energy in Denver Colorado. My hosts in Switzerland show a tender moment on Zurichsee.Part of the fun of a commercial advertising budget is closing a museum for a photoshoot. This shot comes from the Stibbert Museum near Florence Italy. The actor in front, Tim Daish, wearing the blue shirt is playing the tour director. Tim wrote a script soon to go into production called “Once Upon A Time In Tuscany” Now I love this part… Tim has asked me to come back to Europe to photograph the filming! Gates Institute – Board Casual – CLIENT – Gates InstituteNuclear fusion energy engineerat workTravel Photography – Florence Summer NightMiner Belt – Utah IndustrialMining Aerial – ArizonaIndustrial Alternative Energy Photography – Utah Geothermal & Wind Garlic Scape Shop – Villetta Barrera Abruzzo ItalyTravelers Relish Bruschetta al Pomodoro – Lifestyle Photography Tuscany Italy.Geothermal Drill Workers – Southwest Utah CLIENT – Fervo Energy “Ischia Port Italy” actually comes from late 2024. But here’s why it belongs in this article… Sophia brought us both to the enchanting island of Ischia as a birthday gift to me. This and a similar others were seen by ad agencies on my site. And THAT’s what helped land the travel gig for 2025. ty SophiaMiners Mud Underground – ArizonaCommercial Video Team Director of the video production, Monte Miranda on left is portrayed at The Duomo di Firenze while cinemaphotographer Kent Harvey, (right) works his magic on the Arno River in Florence.Aerial Industrial Photography – Fervo Geothermal EnergyTravel Hassles -Italy This was the second part of the photoshoot in Italy. Check out the Globus video ad to see the storyline.Europe travel frustrationsIndustrial Worker – UtahAdvertising Travel Photography – EuropeUranium Mill Reflections In Tailings Pond – UtahXcimer Fusion Corporation Energy Secretary Chris Wright – ColoradoBoston Harbor RomanceUnderground Miners – ArizonaTravel Photography Biking Europe – Tuscany ItalyI do love making Industrial worker portraits. It’s one of the reasons I get gigs.Florence Italy Street Travel Photography With VespaGeothermal Energy Drilling Forman climbs stairs to drilling platform.Chemical Engineers – UraniumFusion Laser Engineer – Energy PhotographyFirenze Italy Summer Street Cafe – Travel PhotographyWine Window Florence – Commercial Travel PhotographyTravel Advertising Photography – ItalyAmerican Underground Mining Photography – Utah UraniumOne of our industrial mining photoshoots was just 6 miles away from the south tip of The Grand Canyon. It was also 1,453 feet (443 meters) underground! So, of course, Levi and I spent some time enjoying the canyon. Mesmerized for a long while by a large bird-of-prey, I was lucky it flew close enough to catch with my wide lens. Later, when I described the bird to a ranger, he told me it was the rare Ferruginous Hawk.Machine Welder Industrial PhotographyLifestyle Travel On Arno Riverboat – Florence ItalyShot through rain-soaked windshield, a couple walks under umbrella in Villetta Barrea. When the photoshoot in Tuscany wrapped, I rented a tiny Fiat and drove to Villetta Barrea in Abruzzo (historically called Abruzzi). This is the town where my grandparents were born. It was fantastic to meet two cousins for the first time.Edward deCroce With Cousins – Giuseppe Quintilliani (left) and Angelo Colatoni (right)Self Portrait Mining Photographer deCroceLevi deCroce, (on right) in underground mine carTravel Photographer, Edward deCroce Ponte Vecchio Florence Italy. I love this photograph of me. It was made by professional sound-man from the commercial photoshoot, Giacomo Verranda – July 2025.
Levi & Edward deCroce at The Grand Canyon – May, 2025
