American Road Trip

Road Trip Photography - America - Open Road

Winter is such a special time in the West. Especially if you’re lucky enough to be in it when a massive snowstorm hits. Such was the case this past week in Wyoming where the snow never seemed to stop. I drove up there to do some shooting and for a backcountry snowboarding hut trip in the Tetons. Jackson Hole and the surrounding area never disappoint in the snow category. Snowboarding is my “selfish time”, meaning I generally put the camera away and just ride, so there are no images of powder to share. However, the image below made in Afton, Wyoming is a great example of the odd things you see while on the road that are only made possible by the hand of mother nature.

Winter in Afton, Wyoming

Duck Hunting the New York Finger Lakes

Experience the Grit of Duck Hunting - Photography - Real Hunts, Real Gear, Real Moments

Duck hunting on the Finger Lakes in New York is an experience unlike any other—one that tests both hunters and their gear against the harsh conditions of early mornings, biting winds, and unpredictable weather. As a duck hunting photographer, I specialize in capturing these authentic, candid moments from real hunts, where the true spirit of the chase is laid bare. From the first light of dawn to the final shot of the day, my photographs document the rugged beauty of this experience, showcasing not just the action but the challenges and camaraderie that define it.

The Finger Lakes region offers a stunning backdrop for hunting, but the conditions can be grueling. The cold, icy waters and the need for quick reflexes require hunters to be prepared for anything. It’s in these raw, unpredictable moments—whether a hunter battling the chill, adjusting gear in a boat, or watching the horizon for a duck’s silhouette—that the true essence of duck hunting comes alive. My focus is to document these moments with authenticity, highlighting the grit and determination needed to thrive in such harsh conditions.

In my duck hunting photography, I capture more than just the gear; I aim to tell a story of perseverance and passion. Whether it’s the intense concentration as a hunter scans the water, the quick motion of retrieving a fallen bird, or the subtle details of weathered gear, my images reflect the heart of what it means to hunt on the Finger Lakes. These candid shots are perfect for those who want to immortalize their hunting experience, showcasing their gear in the context of real, demanding hunts.

If you’re looking to showcase your hunting gear in its most authentic form, capturing the true spirit of a hunt on the Finger Lakes, I invite you to work with me. My photography is not just about equipment—it’s about the experience, the dedication, and the beauty of duck hunting in one of the most challenging environments. rob@robhammerphotography.com

Fly Fishing Photography

Alaska Fly Fishing

It’s a shame that I’m not better with words to accurately describe the experience of fly fishing in Alaska. Never done it down in South America, so I can’t compare, but nevertheless Alaska is on a whole different level than most places you’ll ever experience. A lot of the reason for that is the remote locations you go to fish that are only accessible by float plane. The plane rides alone are worth the price of admission, but they also let you know just how isolated you are from the rest of the world. I love Alaska. More to come from this trip soon…

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography

FINE ART HORSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Starting new projects is so exciting. It’s also one of my downfalls. I don’t like being behind a computer, always preferring to be out in the field creating images. Which means that I don’t do enough marketing, emailing, social media, cleaning my disaster of an office, etc. I can’t help making images though. It’s addicting. After publishing America Backcourts I had no intention of stopping that series, but also wanted to wanted to start something else. The problem that I’ve learned over the years though is you can’t force a series. It has to find you or it has to come naturally. That’s the only way it sticks. You can’t shoot something because it will get likes or because you think it will do well commercially. You have to love it. As it stands now, Horses appear to be my next thing. Maybe not just horses, but the lifestyle and culture that surround them as well. I grew up in New York close to Saratoga Race Track. “The August Place To Be” as they say. Love the track. Still do and am fortunate enough to now live near Del Mar Race Track. The atmosphere around tracks is great, but the horses are the thing that tie it all together for me. That’s where my affection for horses started, but now I like the “working” aspect of horses even more. The way they are used on ranches and for transportation is especially interesting. As much as love the action though, there is something really special about the still shots. The quiet moments, like this one. If you can’t feel more relaxed by looking at an image like this, then there’s something wrong with you.

Stay tuned for more horses……

Click here to purchase a fine art print of this image

FLY FISHING PHOTOGRAPHER

Winter Fly Fishing - Photography

The only thing greater than fly fishing is fly fishing with two feet of fresh powder. This was a hell of day that was originally supposed to start with backcountry snowboarding. That is until a slide shutdown I70. It happens. What are you gonna do. We tried taking every backroad available, but they were all shutdown. This is why, no matter the season, you keep your fly fishing gear in the truck too.

To see more from this series click HERE.

Click here to purchase one of my fly fishing prints.

Winter

I love winter, which is ironic because one the main reasons for leaving New York was the weather. Not sure you can really say that have a proper winter though? Either way, I love it, but more specifically I love snowboarding. Can’t get enough of it. A few years ago I used to take the camera out with every time I got on the board, then I noticed the more I got into it, the more the camera stayed in the bag. This was a big problem for me, because there was always that feeling of missing out on a lot of incredible shots. Then I started thinking about it and realized it’s ok. I’m totally obsessed with photography, but snowboarding is the one thing that I feel ok about putting the camera down for. It’s my time to just check out and not be totally concentrated on making images. Everyone should have their thing, right? Yes. It’s very important and necessary for everyone to check out of whatever it is that they do for a living, regardless of how much they love it. The below shot was made during a recent drive from Denver to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The camera still comes with me on trips, but it seems like I only end up making images of the in-between times, which is also really fun.

Click here to see more of my adventure images.