Rising Stars: Meet Zack Hartman of Lakewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Hartman.

Hi Zack, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I picked up a camera a little over a decade ago and, like most people, started out just trying to capture moments that felt real. Over time that turned into something deeper, an obsession with documenting energy, emotion, and all the little imperfections that make a scene honest.

I cut my teeth shooting live shows and events, fast, unpredictable environments where you either nail it or you don’t. That experience shaped how I shoot everything now. I’ve since branched into portrait, fashion, and editorial work as well, but I still bring that same raw, unfiltered approach.

These days, my photography lives somewhere between documentary and art, bold lighting, strong contrast, and a bit of chaos. I’m drawn to the moments that feel lived in, not staged. What started as a creative outlet has become a way of building connections and telling stories that feel human.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I think that’s what made it worth it. When you start out in photography, there’s this huge gap between what you see in your head and what actually comes out of your camera. Closing that gap took years of trial, error, and stubbornness.

There were stretches where I questioned whether I was any good, or if anyone would ever care about the work I was making. Gear breaks, gigs fall through, and sometimes inspiration just dries up, but you keep shooting anyway.

Balancing the creative side with the business side was another challenge. It’s one thing to make art; it’s another to price it, market it, and stand behind it. That took time and a lot of humility to figure out.
But honestly, every setback shaped the way I shoot now, with more intention, more grit, and a lot less fear of imperfection. The hard parts gave the photos their edge.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer who’s drawn to moments that feel raw, imperfect, and alive. My work lives at the intersection of portrait, event, and street photography, where emotion outweighs perfection and light tells half the story.

I specialize in gritty, high contrast imagery that carries a pulse. Whether I’m covering a concert, documenting a creative space, or shooting portraits, I’m chasing that split second when something real cuts through the noise, the flicker of defiance, joy, or vulnerability that makes someone unmistakably human.

I’m probably best known for my concert and editorial work, the kind that feels cinematic but unpolished. I like when a photo breathes; when it feels like you can hear the amp hum or smell the city air behind it.

What sets me apart is the intent. I don’t shoot to decorate, I shoot to reveal. My goal is always to translate energy into image, to make people feel like they were there or like they wish they had been.

I’m proud of the consistency, the ability to bring that same intensity whether I’m photographing a quiet portrait or a chaotic live show. It’s less about what’s in front of the lens and more about finding the truth hiding inside it.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk is kind of built into the work. Every time I press the shutter, I’m gambling that people will see what I see, that they’ll connect with it. There’s no safety net in creative work, just instinct and the willingness to be wrong a thousand times to get it right once.

I wouldn’t say I’m reckless, but I’m not afraid of risk either. I’ve walked away from comfortable paths more than once to chase what actually inspires me. Choosing art over predictability, freelancing instead of a steady paycheck, shooting the way I see instead of what’s trendy, all of those were risks that didn’t make sense on paper but ended up defining who I am as a photographer.

The way I see it, risk is where the truth hides. If you’re comfortable, you’re probably not growing. The best shots, the best moments, the best opportunities, they all happen one step past where you feel safe.

Pricing:

• Portrait Sessions: Starting at $350 — includes up to 1 hour of shooting and 10 fully edited images.
• Event Coverage: Starting at $200/hour or custom half/full-day rates for larger events.
• Editorial / Brand Shoots: Custom quotes based on creative direction, licensing, and publication usage.
• Concert & Live Performance Photography: Starting at $300 per show, with gallery delivery within 72 hours.
• Prints & Licensing: Available upon request — fine art prints and digital licensing priced per project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zhartmanphotography.com
• Instagram: @zhartmanphotography