Trail Running on the PCT - California
The Pacific Crest Trail isn’t an easy place to work — which is exactly why I chose it. For this shoot, we hiked deep into the backcountry of California to create a series of trail running photographs that feel as real as the places themselves. Everything was intentionally staged — but we kept the pacing, effort, and conditions as close to the real thing as possible. No fake sweat, no glossy setups, just actual runners moving through rugged terrain at the golden hour.
The goal was to make images that show what it really feels like to run in big, wild spaces — and to do it in a way that’s clean, brand-ready, and still grounded in authenticity. We focused on moments that show both the solitude of the trail and the sheer scale of the California backcountry — the runner always just a small part of the larger landscape.
If you’re a brand, magazine, or agency looking for this kind of imagery, or something tailored to your own vision, I’d love to talk. I’m always open to planning location-based shoots that strike the right balance between grit and polish, especially when the story involves movement, gear, and the outdoors.
You can license images from this series for editorial and commercial usage, or we can plan something from the ground up. Either way, it starts with the right trail - rob@robhammerphotography.com
