We spoke to artist Rob Hammer about this project, Barber Shops of America, currently on view at the Griffin Museum’s annual public outdoor exhibtion, Vision(ary). An interview with the artist follows.
Rob Hammer is a documentary and commercial photographer from upstate New York. He has lived in many places throughout the USA, including California, Colorado, and currently North Carolina. Throughout his career, he has photographed some of the best athletes on the planet, like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, for clients such as Nike and Adidas. When not on assignment, he devotes his time to long-term documentary projects that focus on niche aspects of American culture, resulting in photography books. Barbershops of America, American Backcourts, and Roadside Meditations are a few notable examples, as well as his current project documenting real working cowboys on historic cattle ranches in the American West. He is also a dedicated fly fisherman, duck hunter, and backcountry snowboarder.
Website: www.robhammerphotography.com
Instagram: @robhammerphoto
Project Statement
In the heart of our communities, where the pulse of daily life beats strongest, lies the timeless sanctuary of the neighborhood barbershop—a beautiful but dying piece of American history. This series seeks to document the spirit of these vibrant spaces that serve as more than mere grooming parlors—they are cultural landmarks, social hubs, and intimate storytellers of our collective narrative.
Each barbershop bears the unique imprint of its neighborhood, reflecting the diverse tapestry of the people it welcomes in all corners of our great country. The scent of Barbicide mingles with candid chatter, creating an atmosphere rich with camaraderie and shared experience. Here, individuals from all walks of life come together, bound by the common ritual of grooming, but leave with much more: tales exchanged, wisdom imparted, and bonds forged.
The barbers themselves, skilled artisans and confidants, are custodians of tradition, yet constantly adapt to the evolving styles and desires of their clientele. Through my photographs, I aim to preserve the essence of these barbershops as microcosms of our neighborhoods. Each image is a window into a world where generations converge, where laughter and debates resonate against the backdrop of walls steeped with a patina earned only after decades of faithful service. It is a celebration of the ordinary moments that weave the fabric of our daily lives, elevating the mundane to the extraordinary.
In an era of rapid change, these neighborhood barbershops stand as resilient anchors, embodying a sense of continuity and community. They aren’t merely a place to get a haircut; they are a refuge of authenticity in an increasingly digital world—timeless establishments that can never be replaced or duplicated.
Going into this project, Barber Shops of America, why did you choose to depict your feelings of the dying american spirit through a series of barbershops and not of another american staple?
At first it was probably just sentimental reasons that grew from my appreciation for
old school barbershops. Then the longer the project went on, it became obvious that barbershops
are such an important part of the greater American culture. If you break it down further though,
barbershops aren’t just a place to get your haircut. They are about friendship, human interaction,
and community. How can you replace an institution that grew in and with a neighborhood, town, or
city for decades? The friendships and memories that formed in each one are priceless.
Walk us through your photographic process. Did anything inspire you or impact you to create it? Did you face any challenges?
There are always challenges with a project of this size. A year or so into shooting I decided the project would only be complete if shops were documented in all 50 states of the USA. So thought
had to be given not only to funding travel, but more importantly, to the locations of these traditional
shops that have been in business for 40, 50, 60 years? Most of them don’t have a telephone number,
let alone a website or social media page. It was only through extensive travel (35k miles a year) on
back roads to small towns that I was able to find these places that have become a staple in their
communities.
How did you connect and interact with the different subjects and people in these photographs?
Each place was different. Some barbers were more than happy to spend hours
sharing their whole life story. And others did nothing more than allow me to briefly be in their shop
to take pictures. After 13+ years working on this project it’s incredible to think about the people
I’ve met and what occurred after walking through the shop doors. A number of them took me to
lunch, invited me to dinner in their homes, and in one particularly memorable case, my photograph
of a barber in Kansas was used for his obituary. It’s crazy to count how many barbers mention that
they regularly have 3 generations of families coming in for haircuts. Where else does that happen?
How did these communities that you photographed impact you?
Barbershops are a great equalizer. No matter who you are or how much money
you make, the price and service are the same. Each person is met with a friendly smile as they walk
through the door by a barber they have known their entire lives. To be a fly on the wall for those
interactions is an experience and education like no other. If you were to close your eyes and just
listen, the chatter slowly gives clues to where you are in the world. Stick around and you find out
the intricacies of each community. Candid conversations reveal so much that you’d never know otherwise and that gives you a deeper appreciation for people that live drastically different lives
from your own.
Which barbershop of the photographs in this series do you feel speaks to you the most and why?
Tony’s in Brooklyn has been a working barbershop for over 200 years! It’s a special
place. Of the 1000’s of barbershops I’ve been in, none compare to the feeling that Tony’s offers. The
place is so weathered with age that you might think it’s a movie set. Unfortunately Tony passed
away recently, but he moved here from Italy decades ago, and worked his whole life as a barber
supporting his family. It was sad to hear of Tony’s passing, but I’m grateful to have documented his
time capsule of a shop so his legacy can live on.
What equipment did you use the most during the series?
That’s changed a lot. For a long time I only shot on Nikon, but switched completely
over to Sony about 4 years ago. In the beginning I was actually using strobes to light but noticed
that they ruined the unique feeling each shop offered. After that realization I stripped it back to two
cameras and two lenses. Some combinaton of a wide and a longer lens. In general I think people
obsess too much about the gear. Just go out and shoot. The more you have the more it slows you
down and causes you to overthink everything.
Please tell us the stories behind these three photographs and why you chose to click the shutter at that exact moment.
Ⅰ. McLean’s Barbershop – Hyannis, MA.
The color palette and textures of this shop are awesome. Very little has changed there
since they opened decades ago. I love this photograph because it shows a very quiet
moment between two old friends. It’s so subtle that you might not even notice their
smiles if you look too quickly. It defines the relationship that exists between a barber and
customer(friend) that has sat in his chair once a month for his whole life.
II. Cuts and Bends Barbershop – Oakland, CA
Kenneth is such an interesting guy. He loves to read books, which is why his shop is
literally filled with them. The shop is a direct reflection of him. It’s also a second home.
You’ll never see another shop like his. There is so much happening in there, but you can
also feel his calming presence in this photograph.
Ⅲ. Syndicate Barbershop – Long Beach, CA
Compared to some of the other shops in this series, Syndicate is fairly new, but it’s a 1/1. Incredible shop. This photo was taken during their 20 year anniversary party. So many people from the local community and beyond came out to show their support. Which is a huge testament to the relationships that have grown there over the years. It’s fun to think about places like Syndicate having their 40th, 50th, 60th year anniversary parties
.
