Michael O. Snyder spent much of his younger life in Appalachia, where he took note of how the mining industry affected the land he called home. It was that inspiration that led him to pursue a career as an environmental scientist with an eye on tackling climate change. However, he ultimately pivoted to film and photography to marry his passion for affecting change with the power of telling stories through visuals.
“The story is one of the most powerful ways we can change minds,” Snyder said. “I decided to make a career transition into storytelling to make some sort of positive impact in society.”
Initially, Snyder started a production company in Washington, D.C., then moved into documentary photography. In 2011, he began what would ultimately become his 2025-published anthology, “Alleghania,” a collection of stories and photography of 104 individuals in the Alleghany Highlands, a place he holds close to his heart. While the project is not focused on the change of the environmental climate (a story he continues to tell in many renowned publications), it does address the changes in the area from a different perspective.
“The point is not any sort of environmental connection,” he said. “It’s a process of looking at Appalachia during this period of great change -- maybe some of the most rapid change it’s ever gone through -- and exploring how culture and identity are changing over time, and allowing new traditions to come in and exploring how people are adapting to that.”
Snyder spent several years in Charlottesville when his wife accepted a position at UVA, which led to him pursuing a residency at the McGuffey Art Center. It was there that he completed a large amount of the work for the anthology, and it’s an opportunity that he’s grateful for. “To be in a space of community felt very empowering and perfect for what I do,” he said. “It was very important and special. The project is really inspired and influenced by my time at McGuffey. It was wonderful to be working there.”
To purchase “Alleghania”, visit Snyder’s website at MichaelOSnyder.com.
To be in a space of community felt very empowering and perfect for what I do.