Boulder, CO Fitness Photography

Boulder Fitness Photo Shoot

There is always a particular itch that is scratched when I shoot fitness like this. Unrehearsed real workouts. Nothing staged. Just as a fly on the wall waiting for things to unfold. While looking at these images months after the shoot I realized that neither of them was sweating, which is very strange. Then I realized how hot and dry it was that day and that their sweat was just instantly evaporating. They didn’t complain.

If you’re in looking for a fitness photographer in Boulder, Colorado, please feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to discuss your ideas and goals - rob@robhammerphotography.com

To see more of my fitness images click here.

Bold, Gritty Fitness Photography for Athletes and Gyms

Dark, Bold, and Powerful: Fitness Photography with Edge

Denver, Colorado

Not every fitness shoot needs to be light and sunny. Sometimes, what tells the real story is darkness. Sweat. Steel. The sound of a barbell hitting the floor.

This gallery is a look into the grittier side of my fitness photography—shot in Denver gyms, CrossFit boxes, and industrial spaces where intensity lives. These aren’t posed lifestyle images or clean studio headshots. These are raw, high-contrast photos that show real strength, real effort, and real people pushing themselves further than most ever will.

I use studio strobes to carve out contrast, shadows, and shape—so every image feels bold, sharp, and charged with energy. It's the kind of visual work that feels serious, because it is. Whether it's a personal trainer who wants to reflect the edge of their brand, or a gym that’s built its name on hustle, this style is about owning the grind.

That said, the process is always collaborative. I work closely with each client to create images that feel authentic—not staged. Every athlete, every coach, every gym owner I’ve worked with brings their own energy, and my job is to capture that energy in a way that aligns with their brand.

If you’re a Denver-based trainer, athlete, or gym looking for visuals that reflect the grit behind the work—you’re in the right place.

Let’s make something powerful.

CrossFit - Boulder, CO

CrossFit Photographer - Boulder, CO

When it comes to CrossFit, every rep, every lift, and every drop of sweat tells a story of dedication and grit. For CrossFit athletes in Boulder, Colorado, the gym is more than just a training ground; it’s a stage where personal bests are shattered and camaraderie thrives. Capturing these moments through photography not only celebrates the athlete’s journey but also highlights the raw beauty of strength and determination.

Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a fitness-focused community. The city boasts several top-tier CrossFit gyms, or "boxes," that cater to everyone from beginners to seasoned athletes. Gyms like CrossFit Sanitas, Roots, and Left Hand CrossFit are hubs of activity, attracting individuals committed to pushing their physical and mental boundaries.

This dynamic environment makes Boulder an ideal location for CrossFit photography. Whether it’s a sunrise workout in an open-air setting or an intense WOD (Workout of the Day) inside a gym, the opportunities for capturing striking visuals are endless.

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

Fitness Photography on the Beach: Powerful Outdoor Training Images

Beach Fitness Photoshoot: High-Impact Outdoor Workout Photography

There’s something powerful about photographing real athletic movement on the beach — sand flying, muscles firing, breath heavy, and the ocean pushing energy into every frame. This beach fitness shoot was built around honesty and effort. No staged poses. No fake sweat. Just a real workout in a unique outdoor environment that brings grit and beauty together.

Whether I’m shooting for fitness brands, trainers, apparel companies, or athletes building their personal portfolio, my goal is always the same: create photographs that feel alive — images that show what hard work really looks like.

Why a Beach Setting Elevates Fitness Photography

Beaches offer a perfect combination of clean light, open space, and a textured backdrop that never competes with the athlete. The sand adds resistance, the wind adds motion, and the ocean adds mood. When everything comes together, the result is fitness photography that feels natural, intense, and cinematic without relying on artificial setups.

Outdoor training in a place like this also creates opportunities for spontaneous moments — the kind of frames brands love because they don’t feel manufactured.

Behind the Shoot

For this session, we focused on movements that looked and felt authentic: sled pushes in the sand, explosive sprints, footwork drills, and strength work that highlighted muscle tension and form. I encouraged the athlete to train the way she normally would, allowing the workout itself to dictate the images.

The shifting light combined with strobes, the texture of the sand, and the natural reflections off the water helped build a series that feels energetic and raw. This is the type of session where the environment becomes part of the athlete’s story.

What Clients Can Expect From a Beach Fitness Photoshoot

Every beach session is shaped around the athlete or brand:

  • Real training, not staged posing

  • A focus on movement, effort, and authenticity

  • Scouting a stretch of beach that gives room for motion

  • Attention to tides, sunrise/sunset light, and wind direction

  • Space for gear: sleds, bands, kettlebells, battle ropes, or bodyweight work

  • Clean compositions that let the athlete carry the frame

Some clients want dramatic, dark, high-contrast imagery. Others prefer bright, clean lifestyle fitness. I shoot both styles depending on the brand or story we’re trying to tell.

Book a Beach Workout Photoshoot

If you’re a fitness brand, trainer, athlete, or influencer looking for high-impact beach workout images, I’d love to create something strong with you. These sessions work equally well for commercial campaigns, personal branding, or portfolio updates.

Link to more of my dark and gritty fitness photography

To book a beach fitness photoshoot or talk through a concept:
rob@robhammerphotography.com

Crossfit - San Diego

San Diego Fitness Photography

I've been shooting Crossfit for a few years now, and love it. There is a certain element that is missing in regular gyms. Most people in regular gyms get dressed up to "workout", but really they just stare in the mirror for an hour. Crossfitters want it to hurt. They are authentic. They want to be in pain by the end of their workout. This is a small collection of images I made over the past month, of that pain.

All images were shot on a Nikon D810/D4 and lit with Broncolor strobes.

High-Impact Paddleboard Photos for Editorial & Commercial Use

Stand Up Paddleboarding with Impact: Strobe-Lit Action Photography

There’s a specific kind of energy you get when mixing outdoor sports with studio lighting. This shoot with a competitive stand up paddleboarder was all about that tension and blending the natural flow of water with bold, strobe-lit drama.

We planned it like a commercial shoot: sunrise location, multiple lighting setups on the water, and a focus on strong, clean compositions that would work well in both advertising and editorial contexts. The result? A set of images that feel athletic and raw, but also controlled and brand-ready.

This wasn’t a spontaneous session. It was lit like a campaign, and that’s exactly the kind of work I love doing. Whether you’re looking to license images from this shoot or want to plan your own production, I’m always open to collaborations where sport meets style, so please reach out if you’re ready to plan your next campaign photo shoot - rob@robhammerphotography.com