American Center for Photographers

American Photography Gallery

Fine Art

May has really shaped up to be a great month in the gallery exhibition category! I’m very grateful to announce that I’ll be showing some of my American photographs at the American Center for Photographers in Wilson, North Carolina. It’s always nice to show work, but this is particularly exciting because it’s the first time I’ve ever exhibited work from this series which started over 13 years ago. Back in 2011 is when my cross country road trips began but the photographs that now make up this series were sort of an after thought. At that time I was solely focused on the Barbershops of America series. So these American photographs were sort of just made during those in-between times when there were no barbershops around. It was years until I even realized that the collective images could be a body of work.

The exhibition which is comprised of 50+/- fine art prints will run from May 1st-26th. So if you’re anywhere near Wilson, please stop in and check them out.

Click here to see photographs from my America series.

Photography exhibition at the American Center for Photographers in Wilson, North Carolina

Capture the Beauty of Blowing Rock: Fine Art Photography Prints

Bring the Charm of Blowing Rock, North Carolina Into Your Home With Stunning 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.

Blowing Rock Photography Prints

Celebrate your connection to nature and remember your visit to Glen Burney Falls with a fine art photograph that speaks to your heart. Every image in this collection is a testament to the beauty of this special trail, crafted to inspire and transport you back to one of North Carolina’s most beloved destinations. 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

Black and White Fitness Photography

Black and White Fitness Photography

Black and white fitness photography strips things down to what matters—light, movement, and effort. Without color, the focus shifts to form and intensity. These photographs come from gyms, training sessions, and real environments where the work is happening.

These photographs come from gyms, training sessions, and real environments where people are pushing themselves. Nothing staged, nothing overly polished—just moments that feel honest.

Why Black and White Works for Fitness

Fitness is built on repetition, strain, and incremental progress. Black and white photography translates that in a way color often doesn’t.

Contrast emphasizes muscle and movement. Shadows define shape. Sweat, chalk, and texture become part of the image instead of getting lost. The result feels more direct—less about aesthetics, more about effort.

There’s also a timeless quality to it. Black and white removes the visual cues that date an image, which makes it especially strong for editorial work and brand campaigns that need to hold up over time.

Real Gyms, Real Training

Most of this work is made in active environments—gyms in the middle of the day, early morning training sessions, or late-night workouts when the place has quieted down but the work hasn’t.

There’s no reset between reps. No stopping to adjust lights. The goal is to work within the space as it is and respond to what’s happening in front of the camera.

That approach carries through the images. They’re less about perfection and more about presence—what it actually feels like to be there.

Commercial and Editorial Use

These photographs are available for editorial and commercial licensing. I also work with brands, agencies, gyms, and athletes to create fitness imagery for campaigns, product launches, and ongoing content.

The focus stays the same—real environments, natural light when possible, strobes when necessary, and an emphasis on effort over staging.

Fitness Photography for Brands and Campaigns

If you’re looking for a photographer for a fitness campaign, gym project, or athlete-focused shoot, you can view more commercial work here:

→ Commercial Fitness Photographer

Fitness athlete with a tattoo that reads “Strive for Greatness”

Wide view of an athlete lifting a barbell in a large gym space with natural light.

Athlete performing a kettlebell movement, emphasizing strength, form, and control.

Close-up of blistered hands after a heavy strength training session.

Two athletes interacting during a workout, highlighting training environment and connection.

Female athlete resting on a medicine ball after a training session in a gym setting.

Kettlebells arranged in a gym, showing wear and texture from daily strength training.

Black and white fitness portrait of an athlete between sets in a working gym environment.