Bright, Natural Fitness Photography for Active Brands

Real Smiles, Real Sweat: Fitness Photography with a Bright Vibe

Not every fitness shoot has to be gritty and intense. Sometimes, what a brand really needs is a visual story that feels approachable, fresh, and full of life.

This blog post is a little collection of recent fitness images that lean into that lighter side—bright colors, natural light, real smiles, and real movement. These sessions are all about capturing people who genuinely love being active, whether that’s a high-energy group workout in the park or a personal trainer laughing between sets with a client.

Most of these images were shot using natural light and strobes to feel natural but polished, and I focused on letting moments unfold rather than forcing poses. When the energy is right, you don't need to fake anything. Real interaction and movement always look better than anything staged.

Whether you're a fitness brand looking to launch your next campaign, a local Denver trainer updating your website, or a gym owner who wants to show the personality behind the brand—this is the kind of work that speaks to people.

Bright. Positive. Real.

If your brand leans toward the uplifting, inclusive, and empowering side of fitness, I’d love to help tell that story with visuals that feel like your community.

Let’s make something that feels good - rob@robhammerphotography.com


CREMO

Haven’t shaved my face in years, but on occasion I’ll take a straight razor to the dome. A while back I picked up some CREMO shaving cream at CVS and thought it was really great stuff. Very impressed. Fast forward 6 months or a year or whatever the hell it was, and we wind up collaborating together on a shoot. Said this before and won’t ever stop, it’s imperative to collaborate with clients that you have a natural connection with. Otherwise, what’s the point? A paycheck? Not worth it. If you’re shooting something strictly for the money, it will show in the images. A while back I came to this realization, that paychecks aren’t worth much. There has to be more. A connection. A relationship. So much of my focus the past couple years has been connecting with clients that I’m a fan of. Companies whose products I would use anyway. Products that fit directly into my lifestyle. Can’t say that I’m a huge groomer, but I dig what CREMO is doing. Not just with their products either. They gutted a 1948 Spartan Trailer, made it into a mobile barbershop, and have been busy driving it all over the country delivering haircuts along the way!! Talk about a natural connection. Our shoot day was really fun. We took the trailer up and down Highway 1 in San Diego to get some images that would show the Southern California vibe (they are based in Laguna Beach). And I think we accomplished just that. CLICK HERE to see more of the images and read the write up they did about our shoot as well as my book “Barbershops of America - Then and Now”. And go get yourself some CREMO products. FYI: I’ll also vouch for their bath soaps.


Kobe Bryant

Today Kobe Bryant would have turned 42. What an incredible loss he was, not just to the basketball community, but the world at large. An icon that raised the bar for everything he did. Kobe was one of those people that expect to live forever. People like him don’t die??!! I feel very fortunate to have shot with him twice in my life, during a time that I was shooting a lot of professional athletes. This one was back in 2013. It’s impossible to every put your finger on your “favorite” shoot, but this one certainly will never be forgotten.

Click here to see more of athlete images.

Fly Fishing The Colorado River - Photography

Colorado River Fly Fishing

Bunch of random images from a fly fishing trip on the Colorado River. Great times out there. Can’t wait to get back. It’s no secret that fly fishing is a relaxing sport, but it still not lost on me the effect a river can have on your brain. No matter how much time you spend out there, where it’s 30 minutes or 3 days, you’re a different person afterwards.

Click here to see more of my fly fishing/adventure images.

Fitness Photography

Multiple Exposure Fitness Photography

The box jump is an exercise that I find strange to photograph. For some reason the images always just seem boring. So why not play around a little?

Click HERE to see more of my fitness photography

Fitness Photoshoot

Denver Fitness Photoshoot

Commercial Photography

Fitness photography thrives in environments where raw energy meets unfiltered determination. A commercial fitness photo shoot at a gritty gym offers the perfect backdrop to capture authenticity and resilience. From the textured walls to the sweat-streaked equipment, every element tells a story of hard work and perseverance.Unlike pristine fitness centers, gritty gyms exude character. These spaces are often adorned with worn weights, exposed brick walls, and industrial lighting, creating a rugged atmosphere that enhances the narrative of strength. For a commercial shoot, this environment provides depth and texture, making every image feel grounded and impactful.

Click here to see more of my advertising fitness photography