Don Snyder began his interest in photography as a young man when he first worked part time in a camera store. As his business career progressed, he never lost interest in photography. In 23 years with IBM in a variety of marketing and management positions, he traveled extensively within the US and began his first international travels. In 1987 he became a partner in the consulting division of Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, later known as Deloitte & Touche and now just Deloitte. Within 4 years, he became the International Director of Consulting and traveled extensively throughout the world. He first visited Africa in 1993 and has subsequently visited the African continent over 30 times.

Struck by the beauty of Africa and the kindness of its people, he and his wife went on their first safari a year later in 1994. It was during this trip that his interest in photography blossomed and became focused on wildlife. The opportunity to capture images of African wildlife close-up accelerated his interest and challengened his skills. He and his wife went on their twelfth safari in 2006 and while South Africa is their favorite African country, they have also visited and photographed in Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Upon his retirement in 2002, he extended his interest in photographing wildlife to include bird photography. He has photographed birds extensively in Alaska, Florida and New Mexico during the winter migration and breeding seasons. The latest additions to his portfolio came from a recent trip to Hudson Bay, Canada to capture the beautiful Artic Polar Bears in their native environment.

As a photographer, his primary interest is to provide "large to very large", exhibition quality photographs, with as much visual impact as possible. While photographing, he carefully selects interesting subjects that have unique or dramatic expressions, as well as desirable background and lighting. His focus is then to capture as much eye contact as possible to create a sense of closeness with the animal. His prints are all exhibition quality prints by West Coast Imaging, in Oakhurst, California and he does his own matting and framing.

Don was a 3rd place award winner in Nikons 2002 International Photo Contest with his award winning shot of "Follow the Leader". There were over 35,000 entries in this contest. His "Resting Lioness" and his "White Out" photographs earned him second prize and Honorable Mention in the photographic segment of the Best of Virginia Art Competition. He uses Nikon 35 mm and Nikon Professional Digital cameras as his primary equipment and has an extensive collection of lenses and accessories.

He is married with 4 children and 5 grandchildren. His primary residence is in Williamsburg, Va., with a winter home in Bonita Springs, FL.

Contact information:
donrsnyder@cox.net