In 1880 he emigrated to South Australia, where in the capital city Adelaide he established a photographic studio in 172 Rundle Street, opposite the York Hotel.
[3] In England, Hammer was known as a musician, organist and choir conductor, but in Adelaide he devoted his energies to the photography business, with considerable success.
His other interests were in real estate speculation, local government — he was mayor of St Peters council 1891–1892 — and the Cornish Association, of which he became president in 1910.
[4] In December 1893 representatives of Adelaide's major photographic studios — Hammer & Co., Stump & Co., Duryea, Fritz, Adcock, Scott Barry, Spence, Bond & Co., and Mora, met to discuss ways of standardizing charges, as price competition was affecting the viability of their businesses.
[12] Pierce Mott Cazneau was a longtime employee; his son Harold Cazneaux worked for Hammer & Co. from 1896 to 1904, when he left for Sydney and lasting fame.