Cowboy Photography Gallery

Photography at Oregon

Maude Kerns Art Center

Honored to share that 12 of my black and white cowboy photography prints are part of an invitational group show at the Maude Kerns Art Center with Photography at Oregon. Along with my prints will be others by Barbara Bakalarova, Tracy Barbutes, Sarah Grew, Eric Kunsman, Willie Osterman, Osceola Refetoff, and Nolan Streitberger. If you’re in Eugene, Oregon area please stop in to check out the work from May 10-June 7. They will be having an opening reception on May 10th and an artist talk on June 1st. I’m not able to attend either day, but I still encourage you to check out the show.

Click here to shop my fine art cowboy photography prints

Photography exhibition at Maude Kerns Art Center - Eugene, Oregon

Richmond, Virginia Photography Gallery

Richmond, Virginia Photography Prints

Black and White Wall Art

Traveling to new cities is one of my favorite things to do, especially when I know very little about the place. That unknown factor creates a lot of stimulation and surprise. Driving by Richmond, Virginia on the 95 gives you just enough of a taste to know the place has big potential. Which is a lot more than you can say for other cities of similar size.

A few weekends ago Emily and I went camping in Virginia with no plan whatsoever. For two days and nights we just found fun things to do and places to camp, knowing that the third night would be spent at a hotel in Richmond. That balance is really nice because I prefer open spaces and country roads, but I can’t say enough great things about the state capital of Virginia. In fact, it’s been a long time since we enjoyed a city as much as Richmond. For starters, it’s a very clean and walkable city - an ideal place for people that like to explore on foot. There is almost a feeling like Brooklyn or Queens in places because of the way elevated train tracks snake their way through the buildings.

Our hotel was in Shockoe Bottom - a neighborhood with cobblestone streets, bars, restaurants, plenty of shopping, and a short walk to the James River. We started our day at the Edgar Allen Poe Museum - $10. It’s a small but informative experience and well worth 45 minutes for any Poe fans. From there we walked up and around the Capital Building. Being there, seeing all the statues, and reading the plaques makes you firmly aware of the states history with the Civil War and the pride local people have about where they came from.

As the miles added up we enjoyed the city more and more. It seemed like things would change (in a good way) every couple blocks. It never felt like you were in the same place. Each neighborhood had a unique vibe with bars, restaurants, and shops, that kept you wanting to see what the next one was like.

There is a pathway that runs along much of the James River and two different 200 ft long foot bridges that cross the river itself, connecting pedestrians to a whole other section of that, that we unfortunately did not have time to see. The bridges themselves are interesting because they are littered with quotes from famous people like Abraham Lincoln about what happened in that very place.

It seemed like Richmond’s brewery scene was very strong, but we didn’t have much time for that either. But knowing that Stone Brewery opened a place there will tell you all you need to know. I’m excited to get back there to do some more exploring.

Contact me directly if you’d like prints of these Richmond, Virginia photographs - rob@robhammerphotography.com

The state capital building in Richmond, Virginia

The Virginia state capital building

Black and white photography of Richmond Main Street Station

Richmond Main street Station

Downtown Richmond, Virginia

McCormick’s Barbershop - Richmond, Virginia

Ranch Beef - Carson Valley, Nevada

Anderson Cattle Company - 2A Cattle Co.

Carson Valley, Nevada

This whole cowboy project “officially” started 3+ years ago through a series of random events that landed me at a bull sale in Gardnerville, Nevada. There I met Spencer Anderson of the Anderson Cattle Co. We wound up chatting, and after explaining to him what I was trying to do, he invited me to his cattle branding that would take place a few months down the road. At the time, I was as green as can be, so the whole thing was an eye opening experience to say the least. A look into the Western world that I’d been searching for. Spencer and his wife Jessica were the first people to let me IN - a debt I can never repay. They are first generation cattle ranchers with leases in Carson Valley, Nevada and Chico, California. I was immediately struck by not only their kindness, but their passion for the business and lifestyle. It was contagious. Over the years we’ve developed a friendship that I’m extremely grateful for, which came full circle when they asked me to produce some work for them, and later trusted me to tell their story in Working Ranch Magazine. They are as real as it gets, being very open about their struggles getting to where they are today - an incredibly refreshing contrast to the bullshit personas the rest of the world portrays on Instagram. Stories like theirs need to be told because it can inspire other people to follow their dreams in the same way.

If you’d like to get some of their beef shipped directly to your home, visit their website 2A Beef

Click here to view more of my cowboy photography

Anderson Cattle Co - Carson Valley, Nevada

Ranch direct beef in Carson Valley, Nevada

Buck Brannaman

Buck Brannaman - Western Horseman

Photography Prints - Wall Art

Imagine being a fly on the wall while Marlon Brando rehearses lines alone in his dressing room. Or being the only person at Yankee Stadium while Mickey Mantle takes batting practice.  Witnessing a master at work is a gift. Like watching an IG video of tourists approaching Bison in Yellowstone, it’s nearly impossible to look away. However, access to such events isn’t often granted and requires some form of payment. That might be putting in your time with sweat equity, or the purchase of an elusive ticket that seems to vanish the second it hits the internet. Stumbling upon greatness by way of simply being in the right place/right time, is something else all together. Such was the case last fall in Montana on the historic OW Ranch outside of Decker. 

Buck Brannaman - Western Horseman Magazine

If you’re reading this, then you know who Buck Brannaman is, so that’ll save us some time. On this particular hot and buggy day, the OW crew led by Gabe Clark, had gathered and branded a couple hundred calves. Afterward they all trailered back to HQ and unloaded horses into the barn. One cowgirl was having a hard time with Lux - a 4 year old Quarter Horse Mare, getting in and out of her trailer. You’re familiar with the sound of raging hooves slamming against metal, each one increasing in decibels. The kind of commotion that causes everyone to instinctively hop over the top rail in fear of a broken leg, or worse. A few attempts were made to coach Lux’s anxiety, while Brannaman stood quietly nearby, graciously watching the next generation work out their own problems. But that horse no more wanted to walk into a trailer than a toddler wants to be thrown into the deep end of a pool. After twenty minutes his excitement could be bridled no longer, so he asked kindly for a swing. That’s when the day changed. A place filled with energy, laughs, and the general happiness of branding season, now felt more like a classroom with all eyes on the professor. Every cowboy/girl stopped in their tracks to watch, hoping to sponge knowledge from the master. Nearby truck seats and trailers were the only option for shade, so they quickly became the students desks, conveniently half circled around the teacher. And for clarification, the OW is filled with highly skilled hands. So the onlookers weren’t just a bunch of wanna be’s, but every good cowboy knows that learning is a lifelong process.  

Famous Horse Trainer - Buck Brannaman

It had already been a full day and getting hotter. Brannaman wasn’t planning on being Brannaman right then. This week was sort of a vacation for him, so the program read brand calves then relax on the front porch with a cocktail, but he simply couldn’t help himself. Did Michael Jordan ever turn down a challenge? No, he seeked them out. Space in the trailer was tight. Side to side there was only room enough for the horse and Buck, but of course he seemed right at home. Even when it got Western. It didn’t take long to realize this wouldn’t be a 10 minute project, so the students settled in, happy to receive an invaluable education. Time ticked by imperceptibly while the sun beat down on Brannanam as he stood surrounded by metal and exacerbated equine. “Buck, do you need some water?” “No, I’m good”, he’d say without lifting his head or taking eyes off the horse. Tap Tap Tap. Over and over again, calculated touches of his flag to Lux’s back shoulder, belly, and feet while gently urging with the reins in his left hand. A delicate dance of give and take.  The horse showed signs of improvement then regression, half stepping it’s back legs like it was being pushed off the edge of a cliff, genuinely afraid.Once inside he slammed his head repeatedly on the roof, then dropped right to the ground, rattling the entire trailer. After an hour some of the hands begrudgingly left only out of obligation to set up a trap for the next day's branding. Everyone else took no notice because their eyes were glued on the “action”. At one point Buck said in his own calm way that these types of exercises are crowd thinners because most people lack the longevity to deal with such subtle wins. Which makes you realize that patience is the conduit to his greatness. Lux wasn’t even his horse. Nor was he leading one of his world famous clinics, but you get the sense that his obligation to the animals and desire to help trumps all that.  Another 30 minutes went by with small gains and bigger losses. Still though, there was no wavering from Brannaman. He was there to complete the task. The only sounds heard were the flickering of the flag until the slightest bit of progress was made, which he recognized verbally but didn’t celebrate. Another 30 minutes passed. Two hours into an impromptu session and you had to wonder where he’d draw the line and start thinking about a cold whisky. When asked what to do if he felt the horse was out of patience, he stated that horses are much more patient than humans. And if your horse isn’t listening, then you probably don’t have anything interesting to say! 

Buck Brannaman working with a young horse on the OW Ranch in Montana

Buck Brannaman training a horse

A half hour and several hundred taps of the flag later, the guys came back from setting up the traps and Buck was still at work in the same 10 ft bubble as when they left. The only thing that had changed was the horse. After several thousand taps of the flag, he could almost seamlessly walk in and out of the trailer. His calm and confidence now mirroring Brannamans because they developed a mutual trust. After a few more taps, Buck said quietly “that’s the one”. Sure enough, he had successfully taken Lux from being an outright liability to a gentle collaborator. Any anxiety and hesitation had been erased. All this on a day when he simply wanted to throw some loops in good company and soak up a Montana sunset. Most people might have given Lux the old college try if anything at all. Buck spent 2.5 hours because that’s what he was born to do. Saying no or walking away wasn’t an option. And for those lucky enough to bear witness, they received the gift of a lifetime. Afterward his daughter Reata joked “you might have a future in this, Dad.” To which he calmly replied, “I don’t know, it’s kinda competitive” 

Photograph of Buck Brannaman on the OW Ranch in Montana

Contact me directly with all cowboy print inquiries for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Blowing Rock, North Carolina Wall Art

Glen Burney Falls Trail

Photography Prints

Glen Burney Falls Trail

Blowing Rock is a special little mountain town in western North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thankfully it doesn’t get the traffic that Boone does because that would take away all of it’s charm. The Glen Burney Falls Trail starts just a few blocks off Main St. so you can get there from anywhere. Normally these easily accessible attractions are forgettable if not a total let down. Not this one. We were blown away. Granted the day we decided to hike, the forest put on special show with a thick layer of fog and mist that provided an eerie but beautiful vibe. Even without that, it’s still a beautiful trail winds gently through the woods providing great views of the waterfalls all along the way. It’s not a particularly hard hike either. In fact, it’s more of an aggressive walk than anything. so if you’re in Blowing Rock, add this short hike to the list. For only an hour or so of you’re time it provides a great mental checkout and check in with nature.

After you’re done, stop in to the Speckled Trout for lunch or dinner. They have great food and cocktails/beer. I really enjoyed the trout, grits, and collard greens. The vibe there is just great and helped along by a staff of waiters and bartenders than genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs.

If you’re visiting for a fly fishing trip, then definitely go to the Speckled Trout’s guide shop, which also has a bar in it!! I’ve been to a hell of a lot of mountain towns and lot of fly shops. Never once seen a fly shop with a bar. What a great little piece of America that you can only hope resists the massive commercialization that will inevitably be forced upon it in the future.

Contact me if you’d like wall art prints of the Glen Burney Falls Trail for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotogaphy.com

Hiking in Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Black and White North Carolina Wall Art

North Carolina Nature Photography

Glen Burney Falls Trail

North Carolina Nature Photography Prints

Best hike in Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Birmingham Barbershop

Traditional Barbershop - Birmingham, Alabama

Americana - Photography

Was back on the road recently for a photoshoot in Texas and a snow goose hunt in Arkansas, all the while trying to sniff out some old barbershops.

It’s been interesting to see how some smaller cities have groupings of barbershops all in one place. Common sense would tell you that isn’t a great business strategy, but what do I know? Birmingham, Alabama is just such a place with multiple shops all on the same block, which was exciting but things didn’t start out so hot.

There was an older gentleman sitting out in front of the first shop I approached. He was talking on the phone while sitting on a stool in front of the door. I introduced myself and said that I’d like to make some photographs of the shop. Before I could even finish he said “I don’t have time”, turned his back to me, and continued his conversation. The shop was completely empty. I tried pushing back politely, stating that I’d been working on this project for 12+ years and published a book on traditional barbershops in all 50 states, etc, etc, etc. It didn’t work. He was angry that I was still standing there trying to talk with him and even more angry that I asked for the owner’s phone number. He wasn’t annoyed. He was angry almost to the point of aggression. Ah well. Can’t win them all. That led to a stop in Magic City Barbershop, which opened it’s doors in 1930! There is a poster on the front window from the Jefferson County Historical Commission that states so, but you don’t need a poster to tell you the place isn’t far off from its 100 year anniversary. You can just feel it.

The shop was empty besides the one barber working. He was a character. Had a witty answer for everything I said or asked.

Me: “Is this your shop?”

Him: “It ain’t yours!”

There were lots of old newspaper clippings on the wall of Martin Luther King and others from the riots and bombings. “Bombingham” as he called it, has a unique past that shaped it into the city it is today. Despite all the racial violence and negativity, it’s fascinating to be in that shop because the city’s history provides an education, experience, and conversation that you’re not likely to get anywhere else in the country. Barbershops provide an unorthodox way of learning about America!

Click here to check out my photo book of traditional barbershops in all 50 states

Magic City Barbershop - Birmingham, Alabama

Sneakers for sale at a barbershop in Birmingham, Alabama

Traditional barbershop photography

Portrait of a barber in Birmingham, Alabama

Oregon Landscape Photography Prints

Oregon Wall Art

Landscapes -Photography - Roadscapes

Oregon is a special place. Not just as a part of America, but of the world. It’s truly unique, with a vibe you can’t find anywhere else. Going through these images has been a lot of fun, revisiting past road trips through the state, as well as a gentle reminder that it’s been far too long since seeing that magical place. The photographs stir up great memories of being on the road with Mojo. One in particular several years back in the middle of winter. We were driving late at night on a backroad through the Cascade Range. No towns. No street lights. Nothing. It was freezing cold and the entire landscape was covered in a fresh blanket of snow. At some point I started feeling a very bizarre energy that was totally unexplainable, but it persisted long enough to make me think. “Pulsing” is the only way I can describe it. The sensation continued for a while, so I pulled over, got out of the truck and just stood there. There were no signs of civilization at all. And after my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see massive snow covered peaks on all corners of the horizon that seemed to be glowing. One of them was Mt. Hood, not sure what the rest of them were. Either way, I’d never experienced anything like it before or after that day. I was totally in awe at the sight and energy they were putting off. And to see so many prominent peaks so far away all at once, seemed totally surreal. All I could do was stand there and take it in. No images were made that night, but it’s a memory that will never leave me.

Click here to check out my American Road Trip photography book

Send an email if you’d like any of my Oregon wall art for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Mt. Hood Wall Art

Lake Albert - Oregon - Photography Print

Oregon Photography

Country Road in Oregon

Seneca, Oregon

Lake Albert, Oregon - Wall Art

Highway 395 - Oregon

Mt. Hood Photography Print

Country road in Oregon

Oregon Road Trip

Montana Cowboys

Cowboy Photography - Big Sky Journal - Wall Art

Montana Cowboys Prints

Wyoming and Montana are parts of the world that have become synonymous with cowboys and the American West, and that didn’t happen by accident. I haven’t read any research to back this up, but it’d be a good bet to say there are more cattle in both of those states than there are humans. Which means those cows live in some of the prettiest country on planet earth. It’s been my good fortune to visit a number of historic cattle ranches in both states, and do they ever leave an impression. The OW Ranch in Montana in particular, really left it’s mark. The OW has been around since the late 1800’s. The famous Western photographer L.A. Huffman made a lot of photographs there in his day, one of which was hanging on the wall in the kitchen.

So grateful to be invited to these incredible properties and for the opportunity to document good people while they work. There are some handy cowboys in these photographs that were recently published in The Big Sky Journal (out of Bozeman, Montana). It’s always nice to have work show up in places where you know the viewers will appreciate it.

Click here to see more of my Western Photography

Click here to shop Cowboy Wall Art for your home, office, or commercial space

Montana cowboy wall art prints

Wyoming cowboy photography prints

North Carolina Barbershop

Traditional Barbershop - Photography

The American Barbershop - Wall Art

These photographs of the Granville Barbershop in Granville, North Carolina were made during a drive home to upstate NY for Christmas. The owner was very skeptical of my intentions at first but agreed to let me photograph his shop. During my time there I had some fun interactions with customers, but he never said much. As far as history goes, the shop opened in the 1940’s, and prior to that it was an African American movie theater!! How’s that for Southern?

As with most old shops, the relationship between proprietor and those in his chair was easy, fluid, and quite candid. At one point an older gentleman sauntered in with his head down, dropped a gift on an empty chair, turned back toward the door and said “well, gotta go”. That was it. No interaction. Never even lifted his head up to make eye contact. The barber didn’t seem surprised, nor did he skip a beat on the haircut in progress.

Took about a half hour until I was pleased with the pictures made. Afterward I gave the barber a card and thanked him for the hospitality. He stopped cutting, grabbed a few coins off the back bar, placed them in my hand and in an almost too good to be true accent said “take these two qwwwaaaaaaaatehs back to that machine and get you a pop. I’ll bet you haven’t had a 50 cent pop in yeeeeaaaaaaahs.” Sure enough, there were ice cold sodas coming out of a vintage Coca Cola machine against the back wall. Can’t tell you the last time I even had the desire for a soda, but I wasn’t about to turn that one down.

Interactions like these are what keep Barbershops of America going. Talking to people that give you a very definitive sense of place is gratifying, educational, and fun. Hearing about the shops history in such a dialect not only tells you where you are in the world, but also where you aren’t. I love that.

Click here to check out my photography book Barbershops of America

Contact me directly about barbershop photography prints for your home, office, or commercial space -rob@robhammerphotography.com

Traditional Barbershop Photography

The Granville Barbershop in Granville, North Carolina

Exterior photograph of a traditional barbershop in North Carolina

Photograph of a barber cutting a customers hair in a traditional barbershop

Barbershop Culture Photography

Western Horseman Magazine

Cowboy Photography - American West Wall Art

Western Horseman Magazine - Diamond A Ranch

The Diamond A Ranch is the largest cattle ranch in the Southwest at 725,000 acres. That’s a hard figure to wrap your brain around, so imagine your daily job is working cattle on that stunning piece of land!? Cowboys are tough people, but you need to be a tougher breed altogether for that lifestyle. Over a few different visits I got to know a number of the people on the Diamond A crew and am honored to call a few of them friends! The owners (Rick and Sarah Kieckhefer) showed me great hospitality as did all of their cowboys/cowgirls. It really is an honor just being aloud on these historic ranches, so I couldn’t be any more proud to to share this story that was recently published in Western Horseman Magazine - a publication that’s been a staple in the cowboy world since 1936! To read the article go pick up a copy of this issue or go to www.westernhorseman.com

Click here to see more of my cowboy photography

Reach out directly if you’re interested in wall art of any of my cowboy photographs - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Fly Fishing - Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly Fishing Photography

Crested Butte, Colorado - Summer - San Juan Mountains

Crested Butte, Colorado is hands down one of my favorite places to go fly fishing in the country. It’s just one of my favorite places period. Combine the stunning views with their mountain town culture and access to all sorts of fly fishing, and the place is hard to beat. Summertime anywhere in the San Juan mountains will seduce you whether you’re aware of it or not. The images are from a recent backcountry fly fishing trip with friends to a small creek that shall go unnamed for obvious reasons. There is plenty of easy fishing access around around Crested Butte on the Taylor River, East River, and Gunnison River, so blowing up such a remote spot like this would cause me to lose sleep. Just looking at these photographs is FOMO inducing. Can’t wait to get back out there.

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography.

Fly fishing in Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fisherman wading up a river in Crested Butte, Colorado

A fly fisherman climbing over a pile of trees and branches on the side of a river outside Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fishing a picturesque stream in the San Juan Mountains

Cans of Coors Banquet chilling in river water during a fly fishing trip in Colorado

Catching trout on a backcountry stream in Colorado

Backcountry fly fishing in Colorado

A fly fisherman netting a trout in a small stream surrounded by canyon walls in Colorado

Fly fisherman laughing after a fun day on the river in Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fishing wading boots and wading socks drying on a tree

East Coast Photography

Small Town America - Photography

Road Trip - American Culture

Cross country road trips have been a constant in my life for the past 12+ years, particularly in late December driving from San Diego, CA to upstate NY to visit family for Christmas. This year though, it was significantly shorter as we are currently living in North Carolina. If you want advice on the most soul sucking drive in the USA, it’s I95 from Raleigh to Albany. Avoid it at all costs. I did it once in a straight shot due to a severe lack of time and will never do it again. As a photographer you’re much better off committing to the many backroads that will get you to the same place while also delivering a much better experience. Here are a few images from PA and NY. Pennsylvania has always been a fascinating state. There is a sadness to a lot of the towns, particularly in the rust belt, but they are all undeniably American. Plenty of towns in America could be anywhere in America, but the majority of Pennsylvania makes you acutely aware that you are in a place.

Click here to see more of my American Photography

Union Cemetery - Hudson Falls, NY

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Edwardsville, Pennsylvania

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Hudson Falls, New York

Cowboy Photography

American Cowboy Photography Prints

Cowboy Culture - American West Wall Art

People tend to ask “what’s your favorite ranch?” A question that’s impossible to answer, because the truth is they all have something really special. Historic cattle ranches of the West are an incredible piece of American culture that I’m humbled to witness. There’s always excitement and nervousness that comes with showing up to a new ranch, wondering what the coming days will bring. Over time the cowboys and the land slowly unravel their own set of unique characteristics. Outsiders might think that a cowboy is a cowboy is a cowboy. Not true at all. There are so many variables that go into making the culture of each ranch in every different section of the American West. These photographs are just a few that I made on the OW Ranch in Montana. Just writing this post makes me miss being there. It’s a beautiful property filled with people as welcoming as they are talented.

All photographs from my American Cowboy series are available as wall art prints. Contact me directly if you’d like one for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Cowboy culture photography

American Cowboy Photography

Black and white photograph of two cowboys roping cattle on a ranch in Montana

Fine art photograph of cowboys branding cattle in Montana

Portrait of two Montana cowboys in an old wood barn in Montana - Matt Clark and Gabe Clark

Photograph of a cowboy branding cattle in Montana - American West Cowboy Culture - Wall Art

Fine art photograph of a cowgirl at work on a ranch in Montana

Authentic cowboy photography - American West Wall Art

Photograph of two cowboy sitting in their truck on a cattle ranch in Montana

Black and white photograph of cowboys branding cattle in Montana

Cowboy culture photography

American Cowboy Photography - OW Ranch - Montana

Road Trip Photo Book

Photography Book - American Road Trip

Open Road - Travel - Photography Prints - Wall Art

Crazy to think that American Road Trip Photography is a genre entirely in itself. So many of the greats like William Eggleston, Robert Frank, and Stephen Shore (to name only a few) paved the way with photographs published into iconic photo books of a pastime that is more popular today than it ever was, especially after COVID.

My American Road Trips started 12 years ago and have average 35,000 miles per year of open road ever since. At first there was no real intention other than to have fun making photographs in a state of pure freedom, because that’s what road trips are all about. Obviously I’ve taken heaps of inspiration from my hero’s, but it’s also important to never compare yourself to them. Never thinking how does my photo book stack up to theirs? Rather, what can I/you/we contribute to the genre in our own way. As I step away from Roadside Meditations for long periods, then come back to it, I feel proud of the work and hope that it inspires others to get out there to experience America by car. The way it’s supposed to be seen. And hopefully, you’ll take your dog with you too!

Click here to pick up a copy of my American road trip photography book - Roadside Meditations.

Fine art prints are also available from this series. Contact me directly to purchase wall are for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography.com

American Road Trip Photography Book

Road Trip Photo Book

Cowboy Culture Photography

Authentic Cowboy Prints

American West - Wall Art - Cowboy Culture

What a humbling gift it is being able to spend time on working cattle ranches. This photography series documenting cowboys in the American West has been going on for well over two years now, and I hope it never ends. There is no amount of gratitude I could express to the cowboys and cowgirls for allowing me to be along for the ride. Most of them would never call it work, but still, what they do isn’t just a vital key to supplying the country with beef, it’s an undeniably important piece of American culture. One that most people will never understand because they aren’t able to see it with their own eyes.

This set of images is from the Diamond A Ranch outside of Seligman, Arizona. At 750,000 acres, it’s the largest in the southwest. A piece of property that will make you feel small in a hurry. The images you see here are from my second visit to the ranch, and I’m proud to call a few of the people in them my friends. Stay tuned for more from this shoot. Some of the images should be published in a magazine soon.

Reach out directly if you’d like prints of anything from this cowboy photography series for your home, office, or commercial space.

Photograph of two cowboys riding horses at sunrise with a beautiful western scene behind them

Black and white photograph of two cowboys roping a wild steer

Photograph of cowboys eating dinner in a bunkhouse

Photograph of a cowboy saddling his horse early in the morning on an Arizona cattle ranch

Photograph of two cowboy riding their horses through tough terrain in Arizona

Black and White photograph of two cowboys in a bunkhouse

Sign for the Rose Well camp on the Diamond A Ranch - Center of the Universe

Lake George Nature Photography

Lake George Landscape Wall Art

Adirondacks in the Fall - Prints

Feeling very grateful after spending the entire month of October in the Adirondacks, more specifically in Lake George, NY. And what a time it was to be there with the fall foliage in all it’s glory. After living in a place essentially without seasons (San Diego), it was refreshing to be around all that color. I did some shooting for a regional magazine which required a lot of hiking around the lake up Pilot Knob Trail, Black Mountain Trail, and Cat Mountain Trail. The main focus was to shoot hiking, but of course the surroundings were so inspiring that I had to make some landscape photographs along the way. Can you call these landscapes?? I suppose they are more abstract nature photographs.

Contact me directly about Lake George wall art. All of my images are available as prints in varying sizes for your home, office, or commercial space.

Fine art nature photograph in Lake George, NY - Adirondacks

Lake George Nature Photography - Adirondacks

Lake George Nature Photography Prints

Fall foliage in Lake George, NY - Nature Photography

Nature Photography - Lake George, NY - Adirondack Prints

Black and white nature photography - Lake George, NY

Photography Books - American Culture

American Photography - Documenting Traditional Barbershops

American photography as a genre is hard to define, especially when it comes to art collection and fine art photography. The term is so broad and leaves plenty of room for interpretation. One of my longest running series Barbershops of America fits into that category. Although it’s only been recently that I realized what’s been put together with this series is as much American photography as it is a historical document of a niche piece of American culture. And it occured to me the other day that getting a haircut is just a bonus to the experience you receive from being in a traditional barbershop. Grateful to see this project getting some exposure on Creative Boom and The Eye of Photography.

Click HERE to purchase a copy of Barbershops of American or HERE to purchase fine art prints.

American West Cowboy Photography

FINE ART COWBOY PHOTOGRAPHY - PRINTS

Western photography when it comes to cowboys and cattle ranching has been around a long time. You might argue as long as the profession itself, since the legendary L.A. Huffman did it back in the 1800’s. Art collectors like to hang fine art photographs of the action - cattle branding, bucking broncs, stampedes, etc. And all of that is damn sure fun to photograph, but what about the quiet moments? Before and after the action when a cattle ranch is at rest. Those are just as fun to photograph, and important to show as a piece of the story telling puzzle. Last week I was fortunate to visit the historic K4 Ranch outside of Prescott, Arizona. It’s got a rich history in the cattle world as well as for it’s horses with notable bloodlines coming from the famous Driftwood Ike, among many others. Being there for the action is always prefered, but I find myself being very grateful for the off times that make way for images you would never otherwise have time to see or make.

Click here to see more of my photos series on Cowboys in the American West.

Contact me directly for prints of my cowboy photography. All images are available in different sizes for your home, office, or commercial space.

A cowboy’s revolver

Horse corrals on the K4 Ranch in Prescott Arizona

Photograph of used horseshoes sitting in a bucket on a cattle ranch in Arizona

Ropes from King’s Saddlery hang on a cow skull on the K4 Ranch in Prescott, Arizona

Photograph of a roping dummy on a cattle ranch in the American West

A cowboy’s shoeing station for his horse on a cattle ranch in Arizona

Doug Monson - Western Charcoal Artist

Best Western Charcoal Artist - Doug Monson

Doug Monson is a western charcoal artist that lives in Afton, Wyoming in the Star Valley. While his his entire life has been dedicated to art, it wasn’t until recently that full time success became a reality. Nowadays you can find his beautiful charcoal drawings of cowboys and wildlife hanging in his own Western Skies Gallery, Jackson Hole’s oldest fine art gallery - Wilcox Gallery , and in the homes of fine art collectors all over the world .

Its wild to look back and see how certain parts of your life come together. I make it a point to do as much backcountry snowboarding in Jackson Hole, WY as possible. The terrain and snow quality is just top notch. This past winter we were up there during a particularly cold storm which got down to -30 for 3 days in a row. The excitement overtook me, as it often does, and I forgot to treat my diesel pickup truck with the proper chemicals that would keep it from freezing. So, it froze. Literally. To the point that it was towed to the dealership in order to thaw out in their heated garage. Aside from costing a lot of money to fix, it also kept me in Jackson for longer than expected. My friends went out riding while I dealt with the truck, leaving a large portion of the day open. So I walked around town to all of the famous galleries like Wilcox Gallery, Horizon Fine Art, Gallery Wild, Heather James Fine Art, Altamira Fine Art, and Brookover Gallery, to name just a few. Jackson Hole has a LOT of fine art that can keep just about anyone happy for days at a time. I’d been meaning to tour the galleries anway, in hopes of finding a place to sell some of the work from my photography series on Cowboys. So having that day was an unwanted blessing in disguise. And the inspiration you can get from seeing so much great work can be addicting for any kind of artist.

By the time my truck was ready I was in a rush, which caused me to take the quick way home instead of taking several days sniffing around for photographs. The “quick” route took me through Afton where I stumbled upon Western Skies Gallery. Still having the gallery bug I went in and was greeted by Doug Monson, who I soon learned was a charcoal artist and the gallery owner. Upstairs above the gallery is his working studio. I was in awe of the space and asked if it would be ok to make some photographs while he was working. Doug obliged and we would up spending an hour or two just hanging out talking while he drew and I made photographs. I had no idea what would happen with the images, but was inspired by the space and his work. A few weeks later it occured to me that it would be fun to write an article on Monson, and here we are 10 months later with a feature in Western Art Collector Magazine!

Western charcoal artist Doug Monson at work on a drawing in his Afton, Wyoming studio.

Doug Monson drawing a cowboy with charcoal at his studio in Afton, Wyoming

The beautiful fine art of western charcoal artist Doug Monson

Barbershop Photography

Traditional American Barbershops

One of the best/hardest parts of working on long term projects focused on one subject matter is the bar is always rising. And that has definitely been the case for Barbershops of America. Traditional shops are a dying breed as is, and after seeing countless shops (good and bad) over the past 10 years, I’ve become quite specific about which shops I want to include in this project. Despite lots of travel and searching for shops over the past year+, the efforts have been fruitless, finding almost nothing worthy of documentation. Sort of hard to believe, actually. Searching for that long without positive results can make you think hard about the project. Is it done? Have I truly found and photographed all the remaining traditional barbershops in America? All of that doubt was erased recently after finding two incredible shops. Nicholson’s Barbershop in Raleigh, NC has been around for 40 years and Patsy’s Barbershop in Albany, NY first opened its doors in 1930! I was born in Albany, lived nearby for 25 years, have been going back at least twice a year for the past 18 years, and just last week discovered Patsy’s. Even more strange, the current owner is a former bouncer that used to, for good reason, throw my friends and I out of the bar. Funny how life works.

Click here to purchase a copy of Barbershops of America

Nicholson’s Barbershop - Raleigh, North Carolina

Patsy’s Barbershop - Albany, NY

Traditional barbershop in Albany, NY