William Snyder

portrait of William Snyder

William Snyder

Class of 1981

William Snyder is a four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and editor, has been The Who's official photographer for many years, and is a professor of photojournalism at his alma mater, Rochester Institute of Technology.

After graduating from RIT with Highest Honors in 1981, Snyder joined The Miami News and two years later moved to the photography staff of The Dallas Morning News. During his 15 years as a staff photographer, Snyder won three Pulitzers Prizes.

In 1998, Snyder changed roles and became a picture editor/manager. He served as the night photo editor, assignments editor, metro/suburban photo editor, and, as assistant director of photography, built and managed an eight-person photo staff in The Dallas Morning News' aggressive Collin County bureau.

In early 2005 he was named The Morning News' director of photography and guided the photography staff to the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina. He also produced "Eyes of The Storm," a 256-page book featuring The Dallas Morning News photo staff's images from hurricanes Katrina and Rita that sold over 14,000 copies. Profits from those sales were donated to various hurricane relief agencies and the Pulitzer Center for Journalists. In September of 2006, Snyder took a buyout from The Morning News after 23 years.

Snyder moved to RIT in 2008. Since arriving, Snyder has been chosen as an RIT Outstanding Alumni, selected for the The Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing, and won the Frank J. Romano Endowed Prize for Publishing Entrepreneurship. He also serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and is an advisor to The Reporter magazine.

Biography text taken from Snyder's portfolio website.

2006 Winner

A newspaper spread of Hurrican Katrina photos.

Breaking News Photography

"For vivid photographs depicting the chaos and pain after Hurricane Katrina engulfed New Orleans." - Pulitzer Board

As director of photography, Snyder guided The Dallas Morning News photography staff during its comprehensive Hurricane Katrina coverage. He edited many of the published images and helped design many of the newspaper pages.

Cover of the Dallas Morning News.
An overhead photo of the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.
A photo spread showing the rescue efforts of Hurricane Katrina.
Cover of the Dallas Morning News after Hurricane Katrina.
A newspaper photo of a woman looking dejected while sitting.
Front page of a newspaper featuring a cover photo of a large group of people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
A newspaper spread of New Orleans residents walking in flooded streets.
A newspaper spread featuring a photo of a woman with a shopping cart full of supplies.
Front page of the Dallas Morning News.
A newspaper cover photo of a person holding their child close.
A newspaper photo spread of images from Hurricane Katrina.
A newspaper spread with a photo and headline of Fighting for their lives.
A collage of photos showing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
A photo collage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Behind the Scenes

A group photo of many smiling, celebratory faces.

Snyder, front row, third from left, celebrates his Pulitzer Prize win with the staff of The Dallas Morning News April 17, 2006, in Dallas, Texas. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Newspaper staff celebrates a Pulitzer Prize win.

The Dallas Morning News staff celebrates the photography team's 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography. 

William Snyder is sprayed with champagne after winning a Pulitzer Prize.

Snyder, director of photography for The Dallas Morning News when the photography staff was awarded a 2006 Pulitzer Prize, celebrates the prestigious honor.