January 2012

Worked on a couple different specific ideas during this shoot. Some of them came out they way I wanted, and some were total failures. However, I believe that the failures are the best images to come out with because you learn so much more from them. The winning images never make me a better photographer. It's the losers that I spend the most time staring at and figuring out what I should have done differently to make them work. I won't say that the images below are my best work, but the others were so bad that I won't even bother posting them. Thankful for my screw ups on this shoot (and all the other),...

Was introduced to Pugsley's Barber Shop from one of the guys at The King's Club Barber Shop who used to work there. This wouldn't be that weird except that TKC is in Dana Point, CA and Pugsley's is in Kingston, NY. Small World. Anyway, Pugsley's is a cool shop in an interesting town. It really seems to fit in perfectly. The outside it very inviting and the inside has a warm and comfortable glow. The real topper for me though, wasn't the decor or the conversation, but the kegerator in the back corner! Much like all the previous shop I have shot, I wanted to keep the lighting fairly unnoticed....

PAULA LIGHTING INFO: White Lightning in 3ft Chimera Octa as key. Bare White Lightning as rim. Triggered by Pocket Wizards and powered by Vagabonds. MORE FITNESS IMAGES ON MY WEBSITE TAGS: Fitness Photography, San Diego Fitness Photography, Fitness, Fitness Model, Female Fitness Model, Portrait of Female Fitness Model, Athlete, Sports, Advertising Photography, Rob Hammer Photography

Very bitter sweet about these images. Not at all happy about what I was able to get, but honored to have been in this place at all. It's barbers like this, that inspired me to start this project. Claudio Caponigro came to this county from Italy long before my parents were even born. To say he is an old school Italian would be a huge understatement. He has been cutting hair in this East Harlem shop for 62 years. Claudio's Barber Shop is a Harlem landmark and he is a legend. Soon after starting my project, I came across some info about him on the internet. After all these years a new landlord bought...

Got back last night from an awesome road trip up to Park City, UT. For years I have been wanting to ride that world famous snow that comes in off Salt Lake. And unfortunately I will have to keep waiting. PC much like all the other U.S. resorts are hurting for snow fall. On Saturday we rode on a measly 20 inches. Regardless it was an awesome trip. Our crew of 13 had a great time. My camera hung out for most of the trip, but wasn't used for anything but documenting the good times. Shot these a couple weeks ago. You can see the set-up shot here. Still not sure I'm thrilled with them. Shot a bunch...

Johnny Lovato. With a name like that I figured he had to be a character, and he didn't disappoint. Johnny kept me entertained for the entire hour I was in his shop. He had tons of stories and is very proud of the time he cut Jerry Lewis's hair. When there aren't customers coming through he still has the company of his Cheeto eating bird; Jojo. Just like other barber shops, all the artifacts covering the walls tell you how long he has been around. This one was a challenge to shoot because almost the entire place is mirrors. I thought his "banana tree" hanging behind the chair was funny. He keeps...

Watching the Giants game right now and don't feel like writing much, but I am really happy with this first image. Lighting info: Sun coming in from high right. White Lighting in 3ft Chimera Octa at about 10 O'Clock. Bare White Lightning Behind and to her right for rim. Triggered by Pocket Wizards and powered by Vagabonds. TAGS: San Diego Fitness Photography, Fitness Photography, Fitness, Fitness Model, Athletics, Sports, Female Fitness Model, Nike, Nike Athletic Wear, Portrait of Female Fitness Model, Commercial Photography, Advertising Photography, Rob Hammer Photography

A couple months ago I went out to Boulder, CO for a client to shoot Olympic Triathletes Greg and Laura Bennett. They are really easy going people and it was my second time shooting with them. Each time for a different client. One way or another, Triathlon Plus Magazine in the UK got in touch with me about a story they are running on Triathlete couples, and wanted to purchase one of my images. Funny because I shot this (and a lot more) image for an advertising client and the ad hasn't even ran yet. I love this shot because it sums up their personalities and chemistry together. TAGS:...

This is an awesome Barber Shop that gave me an awesome experience. Only been through Ramona a couple times and never realized how small and how country it is. Should have been obvious by all the hay and feed stores that fill the town. Wayne Channon has been cutting hair in this shop since 1965, and you can tell by the chemistry he has with the customers. Upon entering it was obvious that he knew every old timer that walked in the door. Each guy that approached his chair had a playful complaint to throw at him. One conversation went a little like this: Wayne: Moving a little slow there. Customer:...

Another year has past on what seemed like an out of control roller coaster ride. It's hard to not look back and think about what has happened both professionally and personally. The year started off rough with the passing of my Old Man, but only seemed to grow from there. That's not to say there weren't plenty of rough times, because there were certainly enough of those to go around. However, I've always believed you should never dwell on the negative times. Only learn from them. While I have a long way to go professionally, I feel extremely lucky for what I have accomplished since January 1. I was fortunate...