About David

The sun sleeps on, not even thinking about rising yet. There I am, already standing out in a cold, wet field, waiting for the sun and the wildlife to come alive. Seemingly the last place anyone else would want to be, this field springs to life with the dawn, and so does my camera. Only the shot matters, in spite of my toes threatening to move to the equator and my fingers looking for a cup of coffee instead of wanting to hold a camera. I wait, both patiently and impatiently, for exactly the right moment and then…click. I have it.

I am David Schneider, an award-winning wildlife and nature photographer, and I focus on bringing alive each creature and scene my camera sees. With a unique point of view and style, my prints capture the color, beauty, and soul of the subject. My affinity for nature extends to the scenic area as well. My landscapes bring out the incredible emotion, beauty, and grandeur of the Southwest; and my prints will take you from the tops of misty mountains to the shifting sands of the deep desert, letting you always be in the moment with me.

Every photograph has a story. With each piece, some of myself is included. My short stories might provide some background information, or they might provide some of my thoughts and feelings as I created it. The story might be about the animal or the scene itself, or it might be a bit of whimsical prose. In every case, though, the vignette reflects me and how I felt as I was creating this moment.

I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I prefer to be outside whenever possible, in my “studio” —the great Southwest. I believe in being one with nature, and not a day goes by that I don’t find something new to be amazed and delighted by. With a lifelong interest in storytelling, photography and nature, my passions combine, providing compelling art for everyone.

I’ve written and published four books, available here as well as Amazon. They range from a photograph/story concept to a deep and meaningful narrative where we go deep behind the scenes. And one book focuses on another passion of mine–Route 66, the Mother Road, and its glorious past and present.

The Spirit of Exploration

I roam about the southwest, and beyond, both in my old, yet trusty, 4Runner, as well as backpacking into the remote wilderness. My 4Runner, which I’ve just modified to include solar, has over 435,000 miles on it, and yes, I’ve driven every one of those miles. There is no place I would rather be than under the stars.

Taming the Cosmos

And speaking of, my current work is taking me beyond the Milky Way and into deep space. I’m building my own telescope rig and with it, taking us beyond this world and into the depths of space with narrowband imaging and astrophotography. Watch for new astral pieces which are, quite literally, out of this world.

Come join me on my adventures, and together we’ll discover new places, new vistas, and see some of the most amazing sights anywhere.