Pursuing art since an early age I have constantly tried to capture the beauty I see all around me in everyday life. Whether in the country or in the city, art is all around us, all we have to do is look.

I grew up on a small farm outside of Mount Vernon, MO. It was here that I started to really study and look at how light played on objects and shapes, created shadows and forms, and how they worked together to create art. One thing I've always strived for in my work is a simple quiet, a peacefulness. So much of that can be found wherever we are if only we open our eyes to it.

After high school I attended Drury University majoring in Studio Art with emphasis in Graphic Design and Illustration. Later, I worked for newspapers, printing companies, and in corporate marketing departments as an award winning Graphic Designer. 

My career as a designer gave me the opportunity to work daily in a studio environment with a commercial photographer. It was during this time that I rediscovered my love of photography and was able to allow it to grow. My design career gave me the opportunity to learn and use many of the latest techniques and technologies available, and incorporate them into my photography. 

This path eventually led to my present career as a commercial photographer, creating my business, Images of the Ozarks, Photography by Steve Snyder, in 2006. Today I spend my time working with clients on photography projects to market their businesses and products while also selling art photography and creating portraits. I also have art pieces residing in collections around the US and Europe and have received several awards at photography shows around the US. In 2019 I received the “2019 Individual Artist” award from the Missouri Arts Council, at the Missouri State Capitol, for my work on the Freedom Endeavor project and for my years of volunteer service in the arts. Also in the fall of 2019 I received an Ozzie Award for Regional Impact from the Springfield Regional Arts Council, Springfield, MO for my work on the Freedom Endeavor project.

Throughout my photography career I have been able to meet and learn from many amazing artists and photographers. Without them I would never be where I am today. I've also been fortunate to partner with many organizations on projects. Organizations such as the Kansas City Symphony and the Smithsonian.