Although Schneor photographs people professionally, he says working in nature presents an entirely different challenge. Unlike human subjects, animals can't be directed or asked to hold a pose, making patience, observation, and timing essential. "While I can always guide a client into a certain pose or angle, animals can't take instructions," he told in the interview with Bored Panda. "I love the challenge of capturing that defining moment without any guidance at all. It's nature in its purest form, and it all comes down to my ability to catch the moment, get as close as possible for maximum details and reveal its beauty."
That portrait photographer's mindset is evident throughout his work, where careful composition and an emphasis on expression often make animals, birds, fungi, and insects feel like individual subjects rather than simply elements of a landscape.
The photographs featured in this collection were taken across several countries, including Japan, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Jordan, Israel, and Italy. Together they showcase the extraordinary variety of the natural world, from snow monkeys bathing in hot springs and birds framed by cherry blossoms in Japan to Madeira's dramatic coastline, the dunes of Gran Canaria, fungi hidden in Austrian forests, Jordan's desert landscapes, water lilies in Israel, and the mountain scenery of South Tyrol. While the locations span continents, Schneor's approach remains remarkably consistent: slowing down, getting as close as possible, and revealing details that are often overlooked.
Interestingly, many of his favorite photographs weren't the result of meticulous planning but of unexpected encounters. "In the autumn I'm often in the woods around Vienna looking to photograph mushrooms, but you never know what you'll find in the forest," he said. One such walk led him to a spider suspended between two trees, allowing him to photograph its rarely seen underside after narrowly avoiding its web. On another occasion, he spotted a baby fire salamander measuring only about three centimeters. "Luckily I didn't step on it," he recalled.
One of his most intriguing images, an ant carrying what appears to be an unusual object, also turned out to be an unexpected discovery. "In the field I just saw the ant carrying something and decided to photograph it anyway. Only when I got home did I realize it was carrying the head of a fly." According to Schneor, many people spend quite some time trying to figure out exactly what they're looking at, making it one of the most conversation-starting photographs in his collection.
From forests and mountains to coastlines and deserts, these photographs reflect a consistent way of seeing the natural world, one that values patience, observation, and the beauty found in even the smallest details.
Scroll down to explore some of Schneor's favorite images and discover the character and diversity of the natural world through his lens.
