About Reinier Snijders
I am Reinier Snijders, a Dutch photographer with a passion for capturing atmosphere, light, and timeless moments. Born in the Netherlands, I live by the motto Carpe Diem, seize the day, and photography has become my way of embracing that philosophy.
For more than 26 years I worked as a flight attendant, a career that allowed me to explore the world and discover new perspectives both from the sky and on the ground. In 2015, I truly fell in love with photography. A friend introduced me to Instagram and Flickr, and my girlfriend gifted me a one-day workshop with a professional photographer. That experience opened the door to mastering my camera settings, composition, and lighting. From then on, photography became not just a hobby, but a mindful practice that helps me stay present and appreciate beauty in everyday moments.
My Style and Inspiration
My work is guided by two constants: atmosphere and composition. I strive to create images that invite the viewer to linger and explore. Light is key, I only work with natural light available at the location. Inspired by the Dutch masters like Vermeer and Rubens, I aim to capture that same timeless atmosphere, especially in my night street photography. Alongside street scenes, I also love landscape and architectural photography, three genres that continue to challenge and inspire me.
Favorite Locations
Travel is central to my photography. One of my favorite cities to photograph is Chicago, with its architecture, alleys, and cinematic atmosphere. I often find myself wandering early in the morning, discovering moody scenes filled with steam, shadows, and texture. Beyond cities, I’m drawn to vast landscapes, from the deserts of Utah and Arizona to the coastlines of Spain, always searching for unique perspectives and moments of quiet drama.
Gear and Technique
I currently shoot with a Sony A7R V and a range of lenses, including Voigtländer 12mm and 21mm, Sony Zeiss 55mm, Sony 24–105mm, Tamron 70–180mm, and Sony 200–600mm. For astrophotography, I use an iOptron Skyguider Pro. Post-processing is an integral part of my workflow, using Lightroom and Photoshop to refine each image. Editing feels like painting to me, it’s a creative process I enjoy just as much as capturing the photograph itself.
Closing
Every image I share is more than a photograph, it’s a story, a memory, and an atmosphere. Whether it’s a skyline at sunrise, a desert under the stars, or a quiet street at night, my goal is to create art that resonates and invites you to step into the moment with me.