Eli Snyder

Eli Snyder with his son Rowan

I was born on April 30, 1973. I grew up mostly in California and Oregon. I went to Reed College, where I majored in Physics. I spent a couple of years in grad school at CU Boulder, before dropping out to go on a series of bizarre adventures, the story of which has been recounted elsewhere. 

I got interested in photography and web design while working as a webmaster in Costa Rica. I did a lot of work on the website for Cariblue Hotel, Costa Rica. They've redone the site since then, it's not my design any more, though I wrote some of the content. I learned a lot about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). I also got into photography, and started a website called freejunglepictures.com (which no longer exists).

When I got back from Costa Rica, I wanted to continue doing nature photography, but I no longer had a jungle to take pictures of. So I started Free Nature Pictures. Some of the photos on the site were submitted by friends, but most of them are mine. I distribute my pictures under a Common Content license.

Now I live near Denver Colorado, with my wonderful wife Rae and my son Rowan (shown here when he was about 7 months old). In my day job I do internet marketing for KPA, an internet marketing, safety, environmental and HR compliance consulting company. I don't have a lot of time for photography these days, but I still manage to add a few new pictures now and then.

Contact Email for Eli Snyder: webmaster@freenaturepictures.com

News

Exciting news: Free Nature Pictures is on the cover of a book! One of our free pictures, "Cracked Mud," is featured on the cover of "Understanding Climate's Influence on Human Evolution" by the National Academies Press! I can't even begin to express how honored I am to have my work used in this way. Mad props to Francesca Moghari at NAP!

Current Projects

I've recently incorporated my business as an LLC under the name Wyrdwolf Web. I recently upgraded Free Nature Pictures to the latest version of the MODx CMS framework, implementing a new design as well. I really like MODx, it's flexible, powerful, and easy to use. I started using MODx at work, when we implemented a redesign of our website.  I've also done some independent consulting work for NM Health Insurance in New Mexico, a site that allows you to compare rates of various health plans in New Mexico. My current project is development of a site for the Colorado Energy Water Consortium, an industry-funded research project to study the impact of hydraulic fracking of natural gas on water. Lately I've been using and loving the new SEO Tools from SEOmoz. Their new web app rocks, I highly recommend it!

Shoutouts

First, of course, I recommend my brother Forest's construction company: Pound for Pound Construction, Fort Bragg, CA. If you're in the Fort Bragg area and you need remodeling, new construction, decks and fences etc., Forest is the guy to call. He's a great carpenter and has built up a strong reputation in the community as a reliable, stand-up guy.

Please visit my friends at Kona Rose Organic Coffee, The Community Lighthouse Counseling, and Mile High Doula Services, Denver and Parker CO.