Railroad tracks at dawn. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, studio

The Last of the Great American Hobos

Hop a train to Iowa, where proud vagabonds gather every summer to crown the new king and queen of the rails

Every August, travelers and train enthusiasts convene in Britt, a town of 2,000 in north central Iowa, to celebrate Hobo Days. As visitors and locals enjoy a traditional small-town festival on Main Avenue, members of the National Hobo Convention assemble in the Jungle, a gathering place alongside the train tracks on the edge of town. They come together to see old friends and to ensure that the history of the hobo will be honored and remembered.

Photographed for the Smithsonian Magazine

A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

Iowegian, 62, originally from Waterloo, Iowa
Crowned Hobo King in 2006

A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural
A studio lighting portrait of a woman. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer, writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

Dutch, 60, “nowhere is home”
Crowned Hobo King in 2018

Half Track, 61, of Little Falls, Minnesota
Crowned Hobo Queen in 2005

A young girl looks at the King Hobo. D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, studio
A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

King Tuck, 58, of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Crowned Hobo King in 2007 and 2017

A studio lighting portrait of a woman. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer, writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural
A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

Jenny “Sassy” Fox, 50, of Baltimore, Maryland

Stumpy, 59, of Hatfield, Wisconsin

A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

Mo of Gurley, Alabama

A sign for the National Hobo Museum. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, studio
Experienced, portrait photographer in Washington, D.C.

Cindy “Miss Cindy Lou” Pacheaco, 66, of Hastings, Minnesota
Crowned Hobo Queen in 2014

Tim “Train” Dittmar, 47, of Southern Minnesota

A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

Minnesota Jim, 89, of Oakdale, Minnesota
Crowned Hobo King in 2012

A camper with the American flag. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, studio
Painted portraits of Hobos. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, studio
A studio lighting portrait of a man. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural
A studio lighting portrait of a girl. Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer, writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural

Ward “Charlie” Slavik, 60, of North Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ava "Willow" Miller, 12, of St. Peter, Minnesota
Granddaughter of Ricardo, crowned Hobo King in 2016

Experienced, portrait photographer in Washington, D.C.

Slim Tim, 77, of Rochester, New York

"God rides with the hobos so let them ride" Washington, D.C.-based photographer, videographer and writer, newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and corporations. Advertising, marketing. Freelance, photojournalism, portraiture, natural