Meet Zack Hartman | Marketing Guru & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zack Hartman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zack, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career because I believe art is one of the most honest languages we have. It’s a lens that lets us look at the world differently. Where others might see the mundane, art reveals the extraordinary. Photography, for me, became a way to translate the unspoken. It lets me pause the noise of everyday life and shine a light on the overlooked, the gritty, the raw, the beautiful chaos of real moments.

There’s something almost sacred about capturing a split second that tells a story no words could ever pin down. In a world obsessed with speed and perfection, art slows us down and reminds us to feel something. That’s why I chose this path. Not just to make images, but to make add meaning to the world in my own small way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work lives at the intersection of grit and soul. I’m not out here chasing polished perfection, I’m chasing truth. What sets my photography apart is that I don’t flinch from reality. I lean into it. Whether it’s a quiet moment on a city street, a look exchanged between strangers, or the chaos of a live event, I’m always trying to bottle that electric, unscripted energy. Real moments don’t pose for the camera, they reveal themselves when you’re patient enough to see them.

Getting to where I am now wasn’t easy, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be. The struggle shaped my style. There were years I doubted my eye, questioned my worth, undercharged, over delivered, and burned out trying to prove myself. But every obstacle taught me something. I learned how to separate noise from intuition, how to stand behind my work, and most importantly, how to trust my vision even when others didn’t get it.

I’m proud that I stuck with it. Proud that I built a brand on storytelling and boldness, not trends. And I’m excited that I’m just getting started, there’s still so much left to say through my lens.

What I want people to know is this: my brand isn’t just about images, it’s about perspective. About seeing the world with curiosity, empathy, and an edge. If my work makes someone stop and feel something, then I’ve done my job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend’s in town, we’re not doing Denver halfway. I’m talking seven days of curated chaos: mountain air, gritty bars, jaw dropping art, and plant based feasting that’ll convert even the most die hard carnivore.

Day 1:
Start with coffee and a killer vegan pastry at Crema Coffee House, a RiNo staple that always hits. Then we’re strolling through the street art jungle that is the RiNo Art District, cameras out. Lunch? Watercourse Foods, a Denver institution. We’ll wrap the day with rooftop drinks at El Five, watching the sun go full drama over the mountains.

Day 2:
Westward to Red Rocks. Hike around, snap some landscapes, or hit up a show if the timing’s right. We’ll refuel at Somebody People, bright, bold vegan Mediterranean with serious style. No one ever leaves disappointed (or hungry).

Day 3:
Dive bar day. We’ll kick it off at Nob Hill Inn or Skylark Lounge, then hit Lion’s Lair for some beautifully weird live music. Maybe Pon Pon if we want a little art gallery meets bar action. Somewhere in there we’ll grab late night vegan eats at City, O’ City, the kind of place that fuels revolutions (and also amazing seitan wings).

Day 4:
Boulder day. Quick morning drive, hike Chautauqua or hit Eldorado Canyon if we want it quieter. Brunch or snacks at Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, then a cold one at Sanitas Brewing, they’ve always got something crisp and citrusy that hits just right post-hike.

Day 5:
Time for the cultural deep dive. Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum and smaller local galleries in the Santa Fe Arts District. We’ll swing by Mutiny Information Cafe to dig through zines and weird vinyl. End the night at Champagne Tiger for an artsy, intimate, vibe with equal parts glitter and glamour.

Day 6:
Mountain escape. We’ll bounce to Leadville or Nederland, hit a trail, maybe soak in some hot springs or wander old mining towns that feel frozen in time. Snacks on deck, playlists curated, windows down, this is the soul reset.

Day 7:
We’re wrapping soft. Brunch again at Champagne Tiger (yeah, twice, fight me), a visit to Capitol Hill Books or Kilgore Books, and maybe one last mural photo op or a tattoo if we’re feeling like leaving Denver with a permanent souvenir.

This city’s a beautiful contradiction, refined and raw, serene and a little bit feral. And when you see it through a vegan lens, you realize it’s also delicious. Whether you’re here for the art, the mountains, or the energy, you’ll leave full, inspired, and probably plotting your return.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
No one makes it entirely alone, especially not in the creative world, where doubt can creep in louder than inspiration some days. If I had to hand out a shoutout, it’d go first to my wife and son, who never once asked when I was going to stop buying gear and dealing with me slamming on the brakes when we pass a perfect photo spot and instead celebrate the real impact of doing work that moves people.

I’d also nod to the artists who came before me, including Gordon Parks, Vivian Maier, the rebels with cameras who showed me that truth and beauty can coexist in imperfection. And to the creative community around me now, the friends who share their honest feedback, who trust me to tell their story faithfully, who believe in my vision even on days I don’t.

Honestly, this path is lit by a thousand small sparks, conversations, mentors, books, late night editing marathons with music too loud. Every one of those deserves some credit in my story.

Website: https://zhartmanphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhartmanphotography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/ZHartman-Photography-61560560802821/

Image Credits
ZHartman Photography