Schwartz has spent over 20 years following the Mother Road as a living legend—finding connection, beauty, and meaning in its light, landscapes, and long horizons. Photography is my lens into the world — a way to be present, to listen, and to create lasting connections with people, places, and moments that matter. My relationship with Route 66 began in 1988, sparked by Depeche Mode’s cover of “(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66.” What started as curiosity became commitment in 2004, when I began photographing the road in earnest. Since then, I’ve made more than forty journeys along the Mother Road, allowing it to shape not just my work, but my way of seeing. It’s living, breathing, participatory history — and it meets you right where you are. My work is rooted in patience, presence, and intention. I plan carefully, but remain open to the moments Route 66 offers when you slow down enough to notice. Over the years, the road has introduced me to extraordinary people, resilient small towns, and uniquely American places that continue to evolve. I photograph Route 66 not as nostalgia, but as an ongoing story — one shaped by legacy keepers, torch bearers, and new voices carrying it forward. Since 2018, I’ve served as Director of Photography and Lead Editorial Photographer for ROUTE Magazine, documenting the culture, energy, and spirit of the Mother Road from the inside out. My work has been featured nationally and selected for the official USPS Route 66 Centennial stamp collection, a profound honor for a project rooted in long-term stewardship rather than quick moments. Back home in Lakewood, Ohio, I also run a portrait studio where I work with professionals, creatives, musicians, and actors. Whether on the road or in the studio, my goal is the same: to help people feel seen, grounded, and authentically themselves. Outside of photography, I sail on Lake Erie and practice yoga — both reminders to stay present, balanced, and open. My family — Shannon, Vivian, and Reed — are the foundation that makes this life and work possible. Route 66 continues to guide me — creatively, philosophically, and personally. My photographs are invitations: to slow down, to look closer, and to experience the road not as a destination, but as something that takes you where you need to go. To explore or license my Route 66 photography, visit picsonroute66.com.
