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

Black and white photograph of the state capital building in Richmond, Virginia

The state capital building in Richmond, Virginia

Historic photograph of the state capital building in Richmond, Virginia

The Virginia state capital building

The clock tower at Richmond Main Street Station

Black and white photography of Richmond Main Street Station

Richmond Main Street Station

Richmond Main street Station

Black and white photograph of Richmond, Virginia

Downtown Richmond, Virginia

Traditional barbershop under a vintage coca cola sign in Richmond, Virginia

McCormick’s Barbershop - Richmond, Virginia


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 Landscape Photography Print

Mt. Hood Wall Art

Photography print of Lake Albert in Oregon

Lake Albert - Oregon - Photography Print

Photography of an old barn in Oregon

Oregon Photography

Photography print of a country road in Oregon

Country Road in Oregon

Photography of Seneca, Oregon

Seneca, Oregon

Lake Albert Oregon Landscape Wall Art

Lake Albert, Oregon - Wall Art

Photography of Highway 395 going through a beautiful section of Oregon at sunset near Lake Albert

Highway 395 - Oregon

Photograph of country roads leading to Mt. Hood in Oregon

Mt. Hood Photography Print

Photograph of a country road in Oregon

Country road in Oregon

Photograph of a 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

Magazine article about cowboys

Montana cowboy wall art prints

Big Sky Journal cowboys article

Wyoming cowboy photography prints

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

Cowboys on the Diamond A Ranch in Arizona
Photograph of cowboys on the largest cattle ranch in Arizona

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

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 print of two cowboys riding their horses along the rim of the Grand Canyon at sunrise in Arizona

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

Photograph of two cowboys roping a wild steer into a trailer on a cattle ranch in Arizona

Black and white photograph of two cowboys roping a wild steer

Authentic photograph of cowboys eating dinner in a bunkhouse on a cattle ranch in the American West

Photograph of cowboys eating dinner in a bunkhouse

Photograph of a cowboy saddling a horse early in the morning when the moon is still up

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

Photograph of two cowboys riding horses through steep rocky country  on a cattle ranch in Arizona

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

Authentic photography print of two cowboys in a bunkhouse

Black and White photograph of two cowboys in a bunkhouse

Photograph of the sign for Rose Well on a gate at the Diamond A Ranch in Seligman, Arizona

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.

Black and white photograph of a forest in Lake George, NY

Fine art nature photograph in Lake George, NY - Adirondacks

Lake George, New York landscape photography

Lake George Nature Photography - Adirondacks

Photography print of the fall foliage in Lake George, NY

Lake George Nature Photography Prints

Photograph of a hike in Lake George, NY during the fall foliage

Fall foliage in Lake George, NY - Nature Photography

Landscape photography of a forest in Lake, George, NY during fall foliage

Nature Photography - Lake George, NY - Adirondack Prints

Black and white nature photograph of the forest in Lake George, NY

Black and white nature photography - Lake George, NY

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.

Photograph of a revolver gun in the console of a cowboy's pickup truck

A cowboy’s revolver

Photograph of early morning light on the horse corrals at the K4 Ranch in Arizona

Horse corrals on the K4 Ranch in Prescott Arizona

Photograph of a bucket of horseshoes on a cattle ranch in 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 cowboys roping dummy

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

Photograph of a cowboys shoeing station on an Arizona cattle ranch

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

American Road Trip Photography

The Great American Road Trip - Photography

When are you supposed to say enough is enough and move on to another subject? Roadside Meditations was published a few months back, which would (should?) be the logical line in the sand stating ok, you did the thing, now try something else! And a person smarter than myself would probably do that! History thus far does not comply. My long term personal project are just that, personal. So I might partially focus on a new subject, but I’m always on the look-out for images that fit the older projects too. It’s not intentional. It just is. I love these projects and can’t help myself.

Click HERE to purchase a copy of Roadside Meditations or contact me directly to inquire about prints of my American road trip photography.

Photograph of a road going through a beautiful cattle ranch in Montana

Wyola, Montana

Landscape photo of the California desert

California desert

Photograph of a vast Wyoming landscape

Wyoming

Landscape photo of the California desert

California desert

Photograph of a train going through the landscape of Parker, Wyoming

Parker, Wyoming

California desert road trip photo

California desert

Photograph of plants in the California desert

California desert

Aerial Photograph of a road going through a desolate section of the California desert

California desert

Road Trip Photography Book

The Open Road -

Photography and the Great American Road Trip

Results for the American Photography 39 Competition are in and filled with a massive amount of incredible images from so many photographer that I look up to. So it’s a real honor having two of my images from Roadside Meditations be a part of it.

Roadside Meditations

Road Trip Photo Book

American Road Trip Photography Book

Basketball - Mammoth Lakes, California

Basketball Culture Photography

Basketball Art Prints - Winter

The other day I received a basketball image request from a client which caused me to dig through the archives of the American Backcourts series. It was staggering to see how many images I’ve made of basketball hoops all over this country. The digging also brought up a lot of good memories that were a great reminder of why the series still continues today. The images you see here are from this past winter in California and Wyoming.

Contact me directly about fine art basketball hoop prints for your home, office, or commercial space - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Basketball Hoop - Freedom, Wyoming

Mammoth, California

Mammoth, California

Mammoth, California

Road Trip Photography - USA

Photography and the Great American Road Trip

Road Trip Photo Book

It’s a good thing most people only think of Las Vegas when Nevada gets brought up. Otherwise it gets thrown into the “fly over state” category. Staying that way would be just fine. The hoards can go elsewhere and leave the untamed beauty to the rest of us that truly appreciate it. Of the states many redeeming qualities, under populated ranks very high on the list. I’d argue it has everything, but that’s an obvious bias. The biggest draw is almost endless open roads, which is why it fits so nicely for my Roadside Meditations series. One of those places that really allows your mind to wander. Beyond that, it’s got sage brush, deserts, mountains, snowboarding, fly fishing, and cattle ranches. What more does a guy need? All joking aside, Nevada is a really special place. Another one that took me a while to understand or appreciate, but now the hooks are firmly planted. Desert mornings and evenings offer a vibe you can’t find elsewhere. It’s something about the light mixed with the color palette and textures of the landscape. I’ve spent many a night sleeping in my truck in Nevada, waking up to sunrises that rival any in the country.

Click here to pick up a copy of Roadside Meditations

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

Desert road near Goodsprings Nevada - American Road Trip Photography - Rob Hammer

Goodsprings, Nevada - Road Trip Photography

Desert road near Goodsprings, Nevada - American Road Trip Photography

Goodsprings, Nevada - American Road Trip

Jean, Nevada -Photography - American Road Trip

Jean, Nevada - Road Trip Photography

Hawthorne, Nevada Photo - American Road Trip

Hawthorne, Nevada - American Road Trip Photography

Sandy Valley, Nevada - American Road Trip Photography

Sandy Valley, Nevada - Travel Photography - America

Sandy Valley, Nevada - Road Trip- American

Sandy Valley, Nevada - Road Trip Photo Book

Walker Lake, Nevada - American Road Trip Photography

Walker Lake, Nevada - American Photography

Hawthorne, Nevada - American Road Trip Photography - Rob Hammer

American Road Trip Photography

Gardnerville, Nevada Carson Valley Photo

Carson Valley, Nevada - American Photography

Driving Through America

American Road Trip Photography

More from the road this winter. You never know what you’ll find out there, which is most of the draw. If you knew, what fun would it be? That’d be like fly fishing if you were guaranteed a catch every single time out. It’s about the hunt. The coyote image is a great example how the road always keeps you guessing. I only found them because of a pee break on the side of some desert parking lot in the middle of the Nevada desert. Parking lot is the only word available, because it didn’t seem a need for one. There was nothing around for miles and miles. Nevada desert. Which begs the question, why were the coyotes there? Clearly they were killed by hunters and placed carefully in that spot. It took effort to drag them from the kill location. Why not just leave them there? We’ll never know. Nor does it matter. Just the kind of thing you see on the road.

Click here to see more of my America series

Dave's Pubb - Tetonia, Idaho - dive bar - photo - America

Dave’s Pubb - Tetonia, Idaho

Photograph of the Lovelock Speedway - Lovelock, Nevada

Lovelock Speedway - Lovelock, Nevada

Dead coyotes in the Nevada desert -photo

Nevada desert

Mojave, California Photo Train Windfarm

Mojave, California

Hawthorne, Nevada - movie theater - photo

Hawthorne, Nevada

The American Road Trip - Photo Book

Photographing the American Road Trip

Photo Book - Americana - Open Road

Very happy to see Roadside Meditations is being received so well over in Europe. LF Magazine did a feature on it, which you can use Google Translate to read HERE.

Or click here to purchase a copy of my book on American Road Trip Photography - Roadside Meditations

LF Magazine - Spain - Roadside Meditations - Rob Hammer - Fine art photography book

American Road Trip Photo Book

Road Trip Book

Photographing the American Road Trip

Another feature for Roadside Meditations! Very grateful and hope they keep coming! This one is over on the photography website All About Photo, which does a great job of featuring and writing about some very inspiring photography projects. Honored to have my latest photography book on the American Road Trip be a part of it.

Click here to read the article

Click here to order a copy of the book

American road trip photography book Roadside Meditations featured on All About Photo .com

Best photo book on the Great American Road Trip

American Road Trip Photography Book

Fine Art Road Trip Photography

The Open Road - America

It’s great to see Roadside Meditations getting some press, especially overseas. L’Oeil de la Photographie in France did a piece on it. You can head over to their website and use Google Translate to read it. If you’re wondering, those fancy looking words mean “The Eye of Photography” in English. Any press for the book is welcomed, but it feels particularly good being featured in magazines that specialize in photography.

Click here to read the article

Click here to order a copy of the book

Road Trip Photography Book

American Road Trip Photography

Photo Book - The Open Road

Last week on the drive home from Wyoming I listened to a great podcast with Rick Ruben and Rich Roll. Rick is such a unique and inspiring individual with an immense amount of knowledge from a lifetime of varying experiences. Of the many nuggets he dropped on the show, this one stuck out the most - “The audience comes last, in service to the audience. The audience wants the best thing. They don’t get the best thing when you’re trying to service them. They get the best thing when you’re servicing yourself. When you’re true to who you are”.

That’s an invaluable statement for any creator to hear and it sums up exactly how I feel about photography, for personal projects as well as commercial work. Very rarely do you see commercial work that has any great effect on people or the world of photography, because it’s watered down generic imagery that’s sole purpose is to sell a product and feature the companies logo as many times as possible. Nobody wants to take a risk. They want to play it safe and not ruffle any feathers. Seldom does an ad campaign come out with historical significance or staying power. They are about now! How much can we sell now!!?? So what does this have to do with a photography book? Everything. If I or any other photographer set out to make a book strictly with the audience in mind, it would suck. The intention would be glaringly obvious and the images would reflect a direct lack of caring. The title of the book might as well be Money Grab.

Roadside Meditations is a niche subject that’s not for everyone, which you could argue is the case for any fine art book. If it were for everyone, it wouldn’t be worth a damn. To further Ruben’s above quote, I’d like to share how my latest photo book came to be. A few years back I began collaborating with (now) photo editor/consultant Alexa Becker (Germany). At the time she was working for Kehrer Verlag and I was trying to pitch her one (maybe three?) different book ideas, none of which landed. Her interest in my work seemed genuine though, so I kept in touch. And at one point I reached out asking simply for a consultation on my “America” series. After a half dozen back and forths through Zoom, she pulled a few outlying images from my edit and asked if I had anything else that might go along with it. I did, so she began assembling a side edit. A while later she had the beginnings of Roadside Meditations, and told me to forget all about the America series, because “this” was the book! Turns out she was right, and all the roadside images I made thinking they were just accents to the bigger series, was IT all along. The point is that I never had anything in mind for the photos. I wasn’t making them for anyone but myself, and maybe one or two of them might find their way into a book, print, whatever?? Well, here we are a year and a half later, and a large shipment of books is scheduled to arrive from Germany in less than a half hour. So much has happened since then. I’ve continued shooting images that would fit into a Roadside Meditations Vol. 2, but that’s not the intention. The images are only made because I’m drawn to make them. And it would be a bonus if another book happened to develop. Vol.1 isn’t out in the world yet, so there is nothing to say people even want it, but I’m still a firm believer that “the audience comes last, in service of the audience.”

Click here to purchase a copy of Roadside Meditations

Fine art photography book Roadside Meditations by Kehrer Verlag and Rob Hammer

Fine Art Road Trip Photography Book