Serenity in the Marsh: Stunning Duck Blind Views that Connect Hunters to Nature

Capture the Beauty of Duck Hunting: Photography of Tranquil Marsh Views from the Duck Blind

The stillness of the marsh at dawn is unlike any other—where the world feels suspended in time, and the only sounds are the subtle movements of nature. From a duck blind, hunters are immersed in a breathtaking view that connects them deeply to the environment. These photographs showcase the serene beauty of those moments—the quiet reflection of the marsh in the water, the mist rising off the reeds, and the vast openness of the landscape.

As a duck hunting photographer, my goal is to capture not just the action, but the peaceful relationship between hunter and environment. These stunning images reflect the calm before the hunt, allowing companies in the duck hunting industry to showcase their gear in the most authentic and serene setting. Whether it’s a perfectly placed blind, a well-crafted decoy, or the right camouflage apparel, these photographs offer a powerful narrative about the connection between the gear and the natural world.

For hunting gear companies, these images are an opportunity to highlight products that enhance the experience of duck hunting, providing a visual representation of both functionality and the serene beauty of the marsh. This collection of photographs not only invites viewers to appreciate the tranquility of the environment but also serves as a testament to the role that quality hunting gear plays in a hunter’s success and enjoyment.

Click here to see more of my duck hunting photography

San Diego Botanical Gardens

Lightscape - San Diego Botanical Gardens

Christmas Light Show - Photography

The last few weeks haven’t seen much action with the camera, unfortunately. Instead the days have been filled with end of the year business nonsense that I don’t enjoy. Going for any amount of time without making images causes a bit of uneasiness, so I brought the camera for a walk through Lightscapes at the San Diego Botanical Gardens, and played around with some hand held long exposures. It confused a number of workers that we would actually walk to the event, instead of driving.

Barbershop - Marfa, Texas

Traditional Barbershop

As much as I try to embrace social media, it’s difficult to genuinely say anything positive about it sometimes. Every once in a while though, something happens that makes me think twice about. A few days ago I posted this image of a traditional barbershop in Marfa, Texas on my @barbershopsofamerica Instagram account, which was re-posted as a story by Visit Marfa. If you don’t know anything about Marfa, it’s a tiny but growing town in the middle of Nowhere,Texas. That day I received a direct message from a woman that had seen their story and was filled with sentimental feelings, as she used to know the shop and the owner. She went back to look at it again later and noticed that the man in the chair was her father, who had passed away two years ago from cancer. The image caused her to cry some happy tears and she asked about purchasing a print. Turns out we live 15 minutes from each other! So this morning I drove to her house to deliver some prints and a copy of Barbershops of America. Social media isn’t all bad!

This project has been going on for 10 years now. Hard to believe. Aside from the obvious joy it gives me to make theses images, it’s the auxiliary things that really make it special. The people I’ve met out of pure coincidence or from having shared interests will keep this series going forever.

Click here to purchase a copy of Barbershops of America.

Contact me directly if you’d like to purchase prints of my barbershop photography - rob@robhammerphotography.com

Basketball Wall Art

BASKETBALL HOOP PRINTS

For the past fifteen years, I’ve been photographing basketball hoops across the backroads, small towns, and cities of America. Not the gleaming gym setups—but the ones that have been patched, bent, weathered, and played on for decades. You’ll find them nailed to barns, welded from scrap, or barely standing in overgrown fields. Each one tells a story—not just about basketball, but about community, resourcefulness, and the places we grow up in.

This collection of prints features both color and black-and-white photographs, all available as limited editions in a range of sizes. Some are quiet and nostalgic, others graphic and bold—but all of them speak to the soul of the game and the beauty of everyday American scenes.

Whether you’re a lifelong basketball fan, an art collector drawn to Americana, or a designer looking for something real and unexpected for your space—these hoops offer more than just a connection to the sport. They capture a piece of American history, told through backboards and rusted rims.

Every print is museum-quality and made to last. Each one comes signed and numbered, part of a carefully curated series that I’ve been building for over a decade. If one of these reminds you of your own home court, or just makes you stop and feel something, well, that’s exactly why I started this project. And I’m proud to say that this project has been published in magazines here in the states as well as overseas and exhibited in fine art galleries and museums.

Click HERE to shop my basketball hoop prints

Basketball hoop wall art for residential design

Ohio basketball hoop print

Sunset basketball hoop print

Unique basketball hoop print

Duck Hunting Photography

A couple photographs from a recent duck hunting trip to Ontario, Canada. What a pleasure it is to spend time with friends in places like this. The best weather for duck hunting is what everyone else would classify as bad weather. It increases your chances of getting ducks, but visually, it also puts on a show. During a storm, the way a marsh looks can change a hundred different times in one sitting, if you’re lucky. And for someone who has the patience to not hunt, watching mother nature is just as much fun as the hunting itself. There really is nothing like it.

Click here to see more of my duck hunting photography

Fly Fishing in the Colorado Backcountry

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Fly Fishing

Colorado - Photography

If you’re looking for a special place to fly fish and have considered the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, just do it. Just go. Stop screwing around and do it. Be warned though, it’s not for everyone. You’ve got to like getting your ass kicked. We did the S.O.B Draw route, and don’t mind saying it’s a tough hike with a full pack. Technically you can’t even call it a hike because there is no path, just a scramble the whole way up and down, with several places that will require taking off your pack just to get down those sketchy sections. They say it’s 2.1 miles with 2,000 ft of elevation, but it seems like that’s just to where the “trail” hits the river. From there you’ll need to keep following the river to find the designated camping spots. If you’re a psycho, you could make it a day trip, but what the hell is the point of that? We did 2 nights and wished for a 3rd.

Fly fisherman backpacking into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado

Fisherman making camp at the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The bastard of a hike in is what makes the whole experience great because very few people actually want to work for it. So you could potentially have the entire canyon to yourself. In my opinion the first campsite is the best one, and makes for a great base camp to take day hikes from. There is plenty of fishing to be had right in that area, which we did on day one. Depending on the time of year, it can be hot as hell. We expected the nights to cool off, but they did not. It stayed hot enough in mid August to sleep in only underwear and no blankets. Sticky. The nights were sticky. Fortunately, the water was very cool.

Fly fishing in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

A fly fisherman navigates rocks while looking for trout in the Gunnison River

A fly fisherman prepares to net a trout in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Leaving camp the next day was great. We packed enough food for the whole day and a Grayl filtration water bottle which eliminated the need to carry large amount of liquids or a separate filtration system. Even with the hot temperatures, waders are a must as there is Poison Ivy EVERYWHERE. A miracle that none of us got it! (It’s worth bringing some Poison Ivy soap and washing off a few times a day)Getting to the river from the top doesn’t mean that the work is over. Everywhere you go requires hiking on primitive trails or scrambles, but it’s all worth it. No matter the location, you’re always surrounded by 2,000 ft rock walls. It reminded me a little bit of Glenwood Canyon without a highway running through the middle of it.

Two fly fisherman hiking over large boulders on their way to the Gunnison River

A fly fisherman climbing over large boulders on the side of the Gunnison River

The fishing was awesome. Lots of action. Tough at times, but a ton of fun. Without mentioning any names, one of us had a tough time with fish aggressively swimming down river and breaking the line. We really should have kept a tally on that. Probably just the time of year, but we never even thought about throwing out a dry fly. It was all about Perdigons on the bottom. All 3 of us put some stunning Browns and Rainbows in the net, which honestly, is almost just a bonus. The overall vibe in that canyon is spectacular. A really special part of Colorado, the country, and a unique place to fish without any crowds. Before leaving we were already excited to do another trip. Now that we’ve digested things bit, going at a different time of year seems better, when the water is a little higher and the temps a lot lower.

Two friends laughing together after a day of fly fishing on the Gunnison River

A fly fisherman prepares his gear for a day in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

A fly fisherman navigating difficult terrain in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Fly fishing the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado

A trout caught by a fly fisherman in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

If you’re planning a trip and have any questions, reach out to my buddy at Slackwater Co, he’s got tons of expertise to share on fly fishing in Colorado.

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography. And contact me directly to purchase prints of my fly fishing photography.

Fitness Photography

Black and White Fitness Photography: The Grind Never Lies

Fitness Photography That Captures Grit and Authenticity

With all the ups and downs of commercial photography, there’s one thing I refuse to let go of—fitness photography. It’s not just about documenting movement; it’s about capturing the grit, the discipline, and the fire that drives people to push themselves past comfort. For me, fitness has always been an answer. Bad day? Go work out. Rough week? Go sweat. You never regret the grind, but you’ll always regret skipping it.

Why Fitness Photography Matters to Me

That same mentality fuels how I approach photographing athletes. Whether it’s in a gym heavy with chalk dust, a CrossFit box echoing with barbell drops, or an outdoor workout under the Colorado sun, I’m there as a quiet observer. Being a fly on the wall while people battle through the pain, the sweat, and the self-doubt is as satisfying to me as my own training.

The Power of Black and White Fitness Images

Black and white fitness photography, in particular, strips away all distractions. Without the noise of color, the raw emotion takes over—the blisters, the strain, the thousand-yard stares mid-set. These images go beyond fitness; they become timeless portraits of human effort.

Fitness Photography for Brands, Campaigns, and Licensing

That’s why brands hire me to bring authenticity to their campaigns, and why collectors and editors license these photographs: they speak to the universal truth that strength is earned, not given. Whether it’s for a national ad campaign, editorial feature, or private collection, these photographs capture the intensity and honesty of the fitness lifestyle.

Fitness is a lifestyle, but it’s also a story worth telling. I’m here to keep telling it—one sweat-soaked, chalk-covered frame at a time.

Whether you’re a fitness brand needing powerful campaign imagery or an editor looking to license timeless black and white photographs, I’d love to connect - Contact Me Today

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF MY FITNESS PHOTOGRAPHY

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

Denver Fitness and Health Photography

Fitness Photography - Denver, CO

Health and Fitness Photography - Denver, CO

Health and Fitness Photography -Denver, CO

Fitness Lifestyle Photography

Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Photographs

Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Photography – Prints & Licensing

That old saying, “you get what you put in,” always seems to ring true with fly fishing — especially in Cheesman Canyon. Some folks only fish a couple of minutes from their truck, others hike deep into the canyon for solitude, but no matter how far you go, the river has a way of revealing something new.

The South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado is a local favorite for anyone living in the Denver/Boulder area and a destination for people flying in from out of town, for good reason, it’s got great fishing and incredible views. As a photographer it’s one of my favorite places to shoot. The canyon walls, shifting light, and relentless water create a stage that’s never the same twice. These photographs are my attempt to capture that feeling — part of an ongoing collection that’s available as fine art prints and for licensing to magazines, brands, and editors.

Why Cheesman Canyon Inspires Me

Standing knee-deep in the South Platte, you start to feel the rhythm of the place. You have to work to get there and landing fish is never ever a given. A cast that feels ordinary in tamer water takes on a different kind of weight here. Photographing it is no easier — reflections, shadows, and current can ruin a frame in a second.

But that’s why it’s worth it. The challenge makes the images stronger, and the story behind them richer.

Moments from the River — Cast, Water, Light

Every frame I made here comes back to the thing I hold in the highest regard when it comes to fly fishing photography, and that’s authenticity. I photograph real people really fly fishing for real fish. None if it is posed or planned out. Each photograph is a reminder that Cheesman Canyon demands patience. Both from the fisherman, and from the photographer.

How These Images Work for Brands, Magazines & Editors

These aren’t just personal snapshots — they’re images built for storytelling.

They work especially well for:

• Magazines & editorial features on fly fishing, conservation, or outdoor life.

• Gear & apparel brands needing authentic lifestyle and environment shots.

• Travel and adventure outlets highlighting Colorado’s rivers and landscapes.

• Lodges, outfitters, and conservation groups looking for fine art displays.

Every client’s needs are different — usage territory, exclusivity, duration, and medium all shape licensing. If you’re building a feature, campaign, or branded content and need images from this series, just reach out.

Behind the Lens: Gear, Challenges & Intent

Cameras don’t like rushing water, and neither do tripods in slick current. But the mistakes — falling in, missing a cast — are part of why I keep coming back.

I look for the action, but just as important are the moments between action. The way light reflects off a canyon wall, or the way an angler waits with rod tip down. Sometimes the strongest images come after the catch, when the canyon quiets down again.

That’s what I try to photograph — not just the fish, but the entire experience of being there.

Get Prints or License These Shots

If you’d like a framed print, a large-scale wall piece, or want to license images for editorial, branding, or advertising, get in touch:

📩 rob@robhammerphotography.com

I’m happy to send you usage options, pricing, and custom packages depending on your needs.

You can also see more fly fishing photography HERE and prints HERE.

A fly fisherman navigating rocks in Cheesman Canyon

Looking for trout from atop a boulder

Overhead view of a fly fisherman’s casst

A fly fisherman walking underneath large boulders

A fly fisherman leaps from rock to rock in a picturesque Colorado trout stream

A trout illuminate by beautiful light

Wading across South Platte River

Motion blur photograph of fly fisherman

Fly fisherman with a bottle of whisky

Fly fishing in Cheesman Canyon - Colorado

The rocky cliffs of Cheesman Canyon

A fly fisherman sitting on a rock preparing his gear

Netting a trout in Cheesman Canyon

Fly fisherman hiking out of Cheesman Canyon

The American Barbershop

Barbeshop Photography - Prints

Americana - Wall Art

It would be nice to say that every barbershop is unique, but that’s just not true. Much like every other industry, barbershops have more than their fair share of soulless and generic establishments. That’s not even counting the Super Cuts, because really, that’s not a barbershop, nor is it worth mentioning. Those soulless shops do serve a purpose however. And that’s to help shine a light on those that are truly unique. Forgive me for not writing the information down, but the owner of Main Street Barbershop in Gardnerville, Nevada told me something or other about how the entire building they are in, was moved at some point many many years ago to the place it currently sits. That in itself is unique. To go a step further though, it also holds the distinction of being the only barbershop I’ve ever been in that buys and sells guns/ammunition. Not to pat myself on the back for such an obscure feat, but I’ve been in well over 1,000. So that has to say something? Yeah, I’ll take a high and tight. And while you’re at it, give me a case of 45 caliber. Not going to hear that too many places. Just another thing you have to love about barbershops!! Normal rules don’t apply.

Side note: How many “Main Street Barbershops” are there in America???

Click HERE to grab a copy of Barbershops of America and purchase prints.

Kansas City Basketball

Basketball Hoop Photography - Prints

Story Behind The Image

Of my many vices, BBQ is damn near the top of the list. Food in general is a big part of my life, but great BBQ is an especially large weakness. Many years ago while driving cross country, I stopped in Kansas City for some of their famous meat, and almost immediately complained to friends about the quality of that particular establishment. One of them recommended Arthur Bryant’s on Brooklyn Avenue. Ever since that trip AB’s has been a must stop anytime I’m within a couple hundred miles. They don’t miss. You know walking in there that they are going to take care of you. The place just feels right. Like walking into Madison Square Garden, you can feel the history. What the hell does this have to do with basketball? Nothing really, but if you’ve ever had a proper plate of BBQ, then you know the only thing that follows is immense satisfaction followed by meat sweats and a nap. So the ritual goes that I eat too much food, sparing the napkin full of scraps that are saved for Mojo who is (was) always waiting in the truck, drool already hanging several inches from his mouth. Poor bastard had to sit there while the smell of burnt ends and pulled pork wafts steadily in the window. After his treat we go for a long walk which turned into the same familiar route over the years. One of the regular sites is an abandoned school that I’ve made some mediocre images of. Viewing it from the outside always led to daydreaming of what the  gym inside looked like. As luck would have it, while walking by one year the plywood on a ground floor window was ripped off and the metal grate had been ripped open. That’s an invitation, right? Of course it is. Anyone that takes if for anything less is a fool. So I hopped in the window with a tripod, camera bag, and a headlamp. Kansas City summers are hot to say the least. Inside a sealed off brick building is something else altogether. It felt like you could chew on the air in there. Walking into the gym didn’t even seem real. My jaw must have drooped right to the floor. Couldn’t believe what a gift I was handed.  The whole room was all but gutted, yet the backboard still stood. I could have been happy in there for days. Still though it wasn’t a place to be for long. There were obviously people squatting and I didn’t have much interest in them knowing I was there. So after waiting waiting waiting for my lens to defog, a few frames were made, and I hit the road without any interactions between the squatters or the police. Moral of the story is eat more BBQ. 

If you’re a photography collector looking for basketball wall art, please contact me directly. All of my basketball hoop photography is available as fine art prints - rob@robhammerphotography

American Photography

Photographing America - Road Trip - USA - Travel

Every day spent on the road is educational in some way, especially when you drive for hours upon hours without producing anything. Half days even. A full day, and you still might not have put the camera up to your eye. Then you get to some kind of hot spot, for the lack of a better word. That’s what happened here. These top 3 images were made within 100 feet of each other in some small Illinois town on a day that otherwise produced almost nothing. Odd how that happens.

Click here to see more from my America series.

The Open Road - Photography

American Road Trip Photography

There’s been a hold up with the delivery of Roadside Meditations from Germany, so the release date is looking more like early to mid December. Instead of using this blog post to vent, it seems like a better opportunity to share some new work from the series. They were made over the past two months during two separate road trips to Wyoming and Arizona while working on the new cowboy series.

Looking at these photographs now, there is certainly a calming meditative nature to them. The thing that stands out though, is they aren’t something I could have or would have made 6 months or a year ago. That’s called progress, isn’t it? They aren’t landscapes. So what are they? Not sure you really need to classify them at all. If they are pleasant to look, provide a documentation, or education, that’s what’s important.

Will keep you all posted with updates on the new book as soon as possible.

Utah

Utah

Utah

California

California Desert Road Trip

Road Trip Photography - America - Travel - California Desert

It’s interesting how certain places can grow on you that at first didn’t seem so appealing. And light seems to be one of the biggest determining factors of that in my opinion. It doesn’t have be traditionally beautiful light either. It just has to be interesting light. Or, maybe light that you understand how to work with? That knowledge is part of growing as a photographer. Most people focus so much on that “perfect” light that occurs during a sunrise or sunset, but beautiful images can be made at all times of day if you know how to work under different conditions. Even midday sun can transform a scene from completely forgettable to “I can’t wait to come back here”.

Click here to shop the Roadside Meditations book

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

American road trip photography

California desert - Mojave, CA

Mojave Desert

Windfarm in Mojave, California

California desert near Lone Pina

Mojave, CA

Road Trip Photography

A train going through the desert town of Mojave, CA

Roadside Meditations - Kehrer Verlag

Just returned from the road to find the first copy of Roadside Meditations waiting quietly at home. Feels so good to finally hold a hard copy in my hands after the long (but fun) production process with Kehrer Verlag in Germany. Unfortunately the books aren’t for sale yet in the States, but I will be posting and talking much more about this when the time comes. Hoping to have them up and ready to sell on my web store in about a month. Check back here or Instagram (@robhammerphoto) for updates.

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

Wyoming Cattle Ranch

Wyoming Cowboy Photography

American West

Wyoming cattle drive

Wyoming is a land rich in rugged beauty, where open plains meet towering mountain ranges, and the cowboy way of life still thrives. One of the most iconic images that evokes the spirit of the American West is that of a working cowboy on a Wyoming cattle ranch. These photos not only showcase the breathtaking landscapes but also the hard work, dedication, and heritage that define ranch life.

Cowboys moving cattle on a ranch in Wyoming

Black and white cowboy photography print

Wyoming cowboys

Click HERE to see more cowboy photography from this series.

At Work

There are a lot of strategies for being productive while on the road. One of them is the “pop-in”. It’s become my go-to when rain won’t let you do much outside. That’s precisely how these images came to be. The pop-in isn’t for everybody. It used to scare the hell out of me. Then you realize there are only two answers, yes or no. If it’s a no, who cares? Just move on. Tony, the owner of this garage, was happy to let me hang out for a few minutes to make some images. Confused as to why, but it didn’t bother him any. Obviously they are going into my “At Work” series that has been so much fun to shoot. Some of the images you’ll see in the gallery are personal and others were made for clients. Better yet, some of them are personal assignments that were later published. Love when that happens.

Peru, Illinois

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American Road Trip

It seems like every road trip has its own personality filled with unique findings and activities. Of course photography is always the main focus of these trips, but there are also auxiliary goals that I try to squeeze in as well. Ranching, fly fishing, friends, and hunting are just a few of the things that happened in the squiggly red lines on the map. So far it seems like the results are good in the photography category and a hell of a lot of good times were had along the way. Excited to share more the miles soon.

American Road Trip

Al Swanson - Master Wood Worker

American Woodworker and Craftsman

Al Swanson - Helena, Montana

It’s been such a pleasure working with and getting to know Al Swanson. If you’re in the fly fishing world, and don’t know who he is, take some time to learn about his work. It’s exceptional. And the way we came to know each other makes this even better. I’m honored to share his story with words and photos in the latest issue of the Drake Magazine. Here is the unedited version of that story:

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Losing a parent is never easy, and really there’s only one acceptable way for it to happen - old age. Al Swanson lost both of his to cancer by the time he was 44. Seven years later he himself was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil. A baneful hand to be dealt even for the most optimistic of people. Yet optimism is all you get from Al. He’s never the victim. If any of his dialogue on life’s recent catastrophe ever deviates from the positive, you can only go as far as putting it into the “matter of fact” category. 

Swanson grew up on a farm in Portland, Maine in his fathers workshop surrounded by hardwood trees where they would make necessities out of necessity. In his early 20’s dad bought a sawmill which helped fuel the creative fire, but his sights were set on golf course management. He eventually found employment on a course yet couldn’t resist spending most hours building with wood (not part of the job description). Later a family friend took Al under his woodworking wing, at which point it became obvious he had found his calling, and the stage was set. 1995 was the year things took shape in a tuna can of an apartment where he turned the 10x12 bedroom into his first workshop making side tables, checker, and charcuterie boards. Not huge money makers, but each one a learning lesson that would afford a new tool for the quiver and unhappy neighbors.

1996 found him 2,100 miles west in Montana doing odd and ends carpentry for a private client where Big Sky Country genuinely flowed into his yet cancerless body. As romantic as the country was, a year or so passed and he realized “home is back there” - speaking of the east where most of his family and friends still lived. 98’ brought him again back to Helena for a visit with his sister. Almost immediately after that trip “I packed up every tool I owned and drove out there with all sorts of piss and vinegar to help me figure it out. I can make a mark out there. Nobody is doing what I’m doing in Montana.” Turns out that piss and vinegar did the trick. The work improved exceedingly over time and began getting noticed, with each piece sold leading to bigger projects and higher paying clients. His road was also paved with plenty of discouragement as every worthwhile venture is. Nevertheless by 2006 he had a showroom/gallery space in downtown Helena highlighting his striking one of a kind furniture as well as paintings by other local artists he personally invited in. Business was boomin’. Al’s work was being shipped to customers all over the world. 

Al Swanson - Helena, Montana

Back east Al had done some traditional ocean fishing for striped bass and such. In Montana “everyone was fly fishing”. He was taken with the sport, as well as the magnetic beauty of the storied rivers, and thus learned to cast. Al was in. All in. One day he noticed his guide friends picking up rich out of towners from the hotel to go fishing and wondered “How could I give them a little piece of Montana to take home?” From that the idea was eventually born for the now patented and coveted Al Swanson exotic wood fly boxes and rod holders inlaid with sophisticated fly/fish patterns made from crushed stone, metals, Abalone, and Mother of Pearl.  Although it took quite some time and even more headaches to actually get the ball rolling. The products that now make up 60% of his business were ultimately sent afloat by a chance encounter in 2014 with a customer Al almost turned away when he asked him to fix a mangled net found at the Brimfield Antique Fly Market in the Berkshires (Massachusetts). The shop was so busy keeping up with custom furniture orders that fly fishing products weren’t even a thought. Yet he couldn’t say no to the stranger passionately pleading for the net he hoped could be a special gift for his son. “Do you know who that is?” an employee asked Al afterward. Enter Perk Perkins - CEO of a little fly fishing company called Orvis. “Lucky for me Al is an artist, so he gets tempted by unique things'' -says Simon Perkins (the son and current president of Orvis) of the beautiful rebuilt net he went on to use 100 days a year for 8 years of guiding on the Smith, Blackfoot, and Missouri Rivers. Where he “beat the hell” out of the net as a walking staff, crow bar for dislodging his drift boat from rocks, and netting incalculable numbers of fish. Ironic considering the initial reaction to his fathers gift was “I can’t use this. It’s too nice”. Saying yes to the net ignited an organic relationship between Al and a company that shared a high commitment to quality and a synergy of beliefs. At that point Swanson and Simon weren’t close friends, but Helena is a small community, so they ran into each other at the Blackfoot Brewery, poker games, concerts, and of course, the river. So later on when Al approached Simon with the first rendition of the fly box, it was a no brainer. “We loved everything Al stood for. His art and attention to detail, the story telling nature of the work, love of fly fishing, and his understanding that the sport connects you to the land” said Simon. Of course with model names like “The Blackfoot” and “The Missouri” they told stories specific to the Montana fisheries that Orvis naturally wanted to share. Perkins said “My dad loved giving unique gifts, which translated to the company’s cultural desire to curate unique products for our customers.”  In 2016 Orvis ordered 500 boxes from Swanson to be featured in their holiday gift catalog. Swanson Studios had neither the inventory or knowledge to fulfill such an order, but he figured it out and that relationship is still alive today. 

Al Swanson custom fly rod tubes

January 2019 life started getting weird during his son Gabriel’s hockey trip to Canada when a nagging sore throat came on that just wouldn’t quit. Back in Helena he had a biopsy done which came up negative, “but I didn’t believe it” Al said. His suspicions were confirmed after another biopsy at a facility in Missoula showed an isolated tumor in the right tonsil. Filled with ominous thoughts of his parents fate it was imperative he quickly make one of two choices: do the operation to remove the cancer or deal with the hell storm of chemotherapy and radiation. He chose option one and in April of that same year a Davinci Robot removed all the poison from his body. Or so he thought. “One year to the button a familiar pain came back that totally freaked me out”. Sure enough, a PET Scan showed a plethora of microscopic tumors that could only be cured by option number 2. The first go round wasn’t so bad, but now he was dealing with treatments to the head and neck that cause some of the worst pain a human can endure. “All the things you take for granted like talking, eating, drinking, and breathing are excruciating. They cut the living shit out of me and turned my brain into mashed potatoes.” This all occurred during the first major COVID shutdown, so not only did Al have to drive himself to the hospital, he wasn’t allowed to have any visitors. Alone is bad company when you’re falling down a black hole. Eating was no longer a matter of need, it was a matter of can’t. The pain was too much, so he went from his fighting weight of 201 down to 151 in ten days. Every waking hour was spent  wondering if he had any kind of future, while also facing the reality of not being able to single handedly run a business or take care of his 13 year old son while a glacial mountain of hospital bills piled up. “If I don’t work, there’s no money”. Month after agonizing month passed of eating through an IV, steroids, opiates, vomiting, radiation burning his body from the inside out and “not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring until it comes. Then you wake up and realize all it’s brought is pain”. That was his immediate and unavoidable truth. It’s also where optimism comes into play. “I decided I wasn’t going to sit there and let it beat me. I was going to surround myself with awesome people, and awesome people showed up.” The first ray of sunshine came in the form of a cardboard box delivered to his doorstep. On it was a hand drawn smiley face and inside was a white canvas rod tube personally autographed by Simon and his entire team. Along with positive vibes that tube also housed a brand new Helios. Not long after his dear friend Mary Hibbard came to the rescue. She had the idea to start a fundraiser for Al and said “we’re doing it and you don’t have a choice”. Swanson has never been the type to want help so this became added discomfort to his every day. Turns out though, when you spend 25 years selflessly giving to your community, that same community jumps at the chance to give back. Mary did the thing right. They shut down the streets for a band, auctioneer, food, and over 1,000 people showed up that collectively raised over 70k for Al.

Al Swanson Studios

This is where I come in. A photographer and writer on a trip with my wife and dog. Mojo and I drove from San Diego. She flew. After a morning skunk session on the Spokane River we popped in a Coeur d’ Alene art gallery. The kind women working there looked at my “Mission Bay Fly Fishing” hat and asked if I was a fly fisherman. Not wanting to be hassled into buying one of their arresting Mel McCudden paintings I said “yes, but I’m not very good”, and kept moving. She followed and inquired if I ever heard of Al Swanson. I hadn’t, but that was where the conversation took a turn and led to me drooling over images of Al’s rod holders on the computer behind their front desk. Before she could talk me into pulling my credit card out, I left  with two thoughts - it would be an honor to own some of his work that seemed more fit for a museum than the river, but also that it would be fun to shoot a story on Al in action at his workshop, wherever that might be. After a few days in Idaho we drove on to northern Montana and Glacier National Park. Fall was in its prime. Everywhere you looked nature was putting on a show. Colors. Wildlife. Rainbows. Sunshine one minute and snow the next. Needless to say we didn’t want to leave when the time came. Nevertheless, our reluctant trek started down to Bozeman where Emily was scheduled for her return flight home. After 3 or 4 hours of driving through Montana’s majesty all 3 of us needed to stretch our legs and eat some lunch. So we pulled off The 15 into the next town that just happened to be Helena. Aimlessly walking by several quaint storefronts my eyes looked up just long enough to notice a large poster with the headline  “Al Swanson - Charcuterie for a Cause” - aka the $70,000 event. It was all too much to ignore, so I sent Al an email. A week later we spoke on the phone for about an hour when he candidly shared his transmigration of the past few years. Before knowing the destruction he’d been through I just wanted to document him at work to be able to show others his art. After our talk it was obvious that more good could be done by sharing his story with the fly fishing community. 3 weeks later I was on a flight to Helena. December 1, 2021 we met at a local bar, came up with a plan over whisky to shoot the next day at his shop, and the following on the river. That next morning arrived quickly with a text from Al “not sure what’s wrong with me, but I think I need to go to the hospital”. My responses were unmatched. Not knowing what to do I went to the shop where his one full time employee and CNC master Patrick Sever was already at it along with Jeff Miller- a long time friend and former employee who dropped his life in Arizona to fly up and help keep the shop moving (for free) in Al’s absence.  Al and Jeff met in the early 2000’s when Jeff was living in Helena. ”He came to town and I had never seen anything like his work. What he was doing is unsurpassed”. They had a few conversations at the gallery over the next couple years, but it wasn’t until Jeff’s wife bought him a workshop with Al that their relationship really took hold. Miller was retired by that point and had lots of extra time to spend on his love of woodworking. So he started helping Swanson out with deliveries and the less crucial furniture tasks until his skills were up to par. “Al is a wonderfully talented guy and generous to a fault. For an artist of his caliber, he’s incredibly open with his knowledge” says Miller. He also stressed how much Al cares about the final product. “If it’s not right, it’s not going out the door”. A few hours later he confirmed that Al was in the hospital but that was about all he knew. I spent some time making images at the shop, which from the outside, is quite inconspicuous. Any passerby would have no idea that world class wooden art is continuously made and shipped from something so nondescript.  After a bit of shooting I left not knowing what was ahead for Al who was scheduled to have another test in 2 weeks to determine if the cancer had come back. A month went by until I heard from him again. “That was the sickest I’ve ever been” he said of the day we were supposed to shoot at his place. He had a copious amount of healing still to do. 

Late January 2022 I was headed back up to Montana for another story not far from Helena and text Al to see if he was strong enough for some action on the river. “It’s full on winter here. Windy as hell and freezing cold………whatever, I can handle it”. Couple days later we met in front of his house at 6am where I jumped in his truck on the way to the Missouri River and asked “How are you?” “It’s been a journey!” he said with that same positive and matter of fact inflection. There was almost a hint of humor in there too. Things were changing for the better. Sunrise wasn’t for almost two hours so all we had was conversation about what happened since our brief visit in December, including the debauchery leading to his hospitalization that morning. A battery of medication that didn’t play well together including a daily steroid (Prednisone) mouth rinse to help with the open lesions and ulcers prescribed by an outside doctor unbeknownst to his inhouse team. After taking it for months he was told to stop, but it’s not a drug you can quit Cold Turkey. His body reacted, losing total function in his legs and arms while laying in bed, barely summoning the strength to text his son for help. It was a fluke that his son was home at all that day. Al regained consciousness inside a CT Scan where it was determined he had acute adrenal failure, then admitted to the hospital for an extended stay. Al’s insides were once again shattered but he had dodged another bullet. Luckily the problem was promptly addressed and he was set on the course of healing. If not, there’s zero doubt that would be the end of his story.  

For a Montana winter it was a pretty balmy day at 30 degrees. Yet plenty cold enough for the feeling in my hands to go away after just a few minutes of shooting. Al didn’t complain though. He just slipped fluidly into the near freezing river and began casting with the grace of someone half his age whose body didn’t spend the last three years in purgatory. He hadn’t seen a river in months, let alone stand in one. Science just wouldn’t allow it. Yet there he was, back home in a sense, finally doing something he loves in the very same place Lewis and Clark once stood in 1805. And as long as we’re name dropping I’ll do it for Al because he won’t. On top of being an Orvis staple he’s also made custom boxes and tubes for people like Jimmy Kimmel, Michael Keaton, and Tucker Carlson. Today, at least as of our latest phone conversation,  he’s really turned the corner and is riding the wave. Despite frequent doctor check-ups, daily pain, weaning off opiates, and having 5+ years left before the radiation fully leaves his body, optimism is at an all time peak after the latest PET Scan showed the cancer had been eradicated. Still knowing full well that part of the future isn’t in his control,  he presses on, consumed by his desire to create. “I can attribute most of my mental healing to my craft. Don’t know what I’d do without it.” Even when you factor in the merciless misery he’s faced over the last 3 years, not being in his shop could be the worst part for him. Now that he’s finally able to be Al Swanson again, I asked if he has plans for new products. To which he ensures there is plenty in store, for both furniture and fly fishing. “I’ve also got a 16 year old son that I want to see grow up”. His friends all tell him he should write a book because, as they say, “he’s been to hell and back”.   

San Diego Fly Fishing

Blacks Beach Fly Fishing

San Diego, CA - Photographs

San Diego’s stunning coastline is a paradise for anglers, and Black’s Beach, located beneath the rugged cliffs of Torrey Pines, offers a distinct and rewarding fly fishing experience. Known for its seclusion, surf, and dramatic natural beauty, Black’s Beach is more than a surfing destination—it’s a hidden gem for fly fishing enthusiasts looking to try their hand at casting for Corbina from the beach.

If you’re looking for a fly fishing guide in San Diego, contact Tyler Vanosdell at Mission Bay Fly Fishing.

Tyler on Instagram - @missionbayflyfishing

Olivia on Instagram - @merlinoolivia

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography

San Diego Fly Fishing

Fly fisherman in Lajolla, San Diego

Two fly fisherman having fun on Blacks Beach in LaJolla, CA

Fly fishing for Corbina on Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

A female fly fisherman surf casting in San Diego, CA

Two fly fisherman walking on a beautiful section of Black Beach in LaJolla, CA

A fly fisherman getting hit by a wave on Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

A girl fly fishing in front of the beautiful cliffs of Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

Two fly fisherman hiking up the dirt trail from Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

American Road Trip Photography Book

The Open Road

Photography and the American Road Trip

The new book went to press today in Germany! We’ve been working on it for quite some time now, so having forward progress on a physical product feels great. I’m really proud of the work and excited to be able to share it with everyone. Depending on shipping, the books should be here in the middle of October. Follow along on Instagram @robhammerphoto for more frequent updates.

Kehrer Verlag

Roadside Meditations - Kehrer Verlag

Roadside Meditations - Kehrer Verlag