Roger Snider started his photography career by capturing images for fashion ads. But about 15 years ago, he began taking photos of decked-out big-rig trucks — first in Japan, and later in the US His work caught the attention of National Geographic, which inspired him to track down the most beautiful big-rigs on earth for a photography project that’s been going on since 2005.
This actually isn’t the first time Snider’s tractor-trailer photos have graced the pages of Jalopnik. Back in 2014, we wrote about Chrome and Elegancea 12-month photo calendar of big rigs modeled after Peterbilt promotional materials from the 1960s, when the truck-maker would pose models in formalwear next to the latest commercial trucks.
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Snider has graciously supplied a selection of his favorite big-rig photos for Jalopnik to present to you here. For even more, including fantastic behind-the-scenes images, check out Snider’s website here or follow his truck-focused Instagram, Roger_Snider_Rigs. And big rigs aren’t the only vehicle Snider is fascinated by: He’s currently seeking subjects for a new photo series on pre-2004 Toyota trucks around the world, modified for specific lines of work. If you’ve got such a truck, or you’re interested in hiring Snider for a photo project, contact the artist here.
From here on out, we’ll let Snider explain each photo in his own words.
Dandee Dairy Custom Peterbilt
Dandee Dairy Custom Peterbilt hauling hay, shot on location in West Texas.
Bill LaBrocca’s Peterbilt
Bill LaBrocca’s Peterbilt in Brookings on the Southern Oregon Coast. Bill recently took the truck and the newly-painted trailer to a truck show in Brooks, Oregon, where it was awarded Best Combo out of over 300 first-class rides.
Guy’s Custom Peterbilt 379
Guy’s custom Peterbilt 379 near Jackson CA. This truck is retired from hauling work and is kept in a garage.
Thomas Trucking’s Peterbilt 379
Thomas Trucking’s Peterbilt 379 low rider in the Vermont leaves. This truck unfortunately burned to the ground due to an electrical fire shortly after I shot this photo.
Rock-it Transport’s Transfer Dump
In honor of breast cancer awareness, Rock-it Transport built this bright pink transfer dump.
JDT’s Peterbilt
JDT of Medford, Oregon, hauling wood products bound for Denton, Texas, parks inside the White Sands Monument Park in New Mexico where the opening scene to the movie Convoy was filmed in the 1970s.
Blake’s Peterbilt 352
Blake from the Central Valley’s Peterbilt 352 shot in a Burbank studio with a 1950s Cadillac.
Paul Cox’s K100 Aerodyne
Paul Cox’s 1979 K100 Aerodyne drives through the Redwoods in NorCal near Crescent City.
Peterbilt 352 at USC
1980 Peterbilt 352H Cabover. Steven Hettinga. Pixley, CA at USC.
Jesse Bounds Trucking’s Peterbilt 359
Jesse Bounds Trucking from Oregon owns this Peterbilt 359 truck and trailer, photographed on location in Chatsworth, CA.
Miro’s Peterbilt 379
Miro’s Peterbilt 379 2003 Transfer Dump at Vasquez Rocks. This is the perfect location to shoot this classic transfer dump combo. Miro Dragich owns and operates this 2003 Peterbilt 379 transfer with Rogue boxes & trailer.
Hay Hauler and Hay Squeeze
Hay haulers and a hay squeeze (a specialized forklift truck used to load and unload bales of hay) in the Malibu Hills at night.
Peterbilt 389 Hay Hauler
Peterbilt 389 Hay Hauler on the beach in Malibu. Rich’s new Peterbilt 389 from the Central Valley with double decked trailers at the beach in Malibu.
Classic Peterbilt 359
The classic Peterbilt 359 Truck photographed in a Burbank studio with the classic Cadillac whale tail fin in the foreground.
Peterbilt 352 and a Barn
Peterbilt 352 at a barn in Oak Ridge, Virginia. This truck has all the original factory parts right down to the paint scheme. Stored in a barn in Oklahoma since the ’80s, it now belongs to a new owner in New Jersey.
Bill Long’s Peterbilt 389
The Shawshank Redemption Prison Facade filming location provides the background for the shoot here in Mansfield, Ohio. Bill Long’s Peterbilt 389 is a custom build inside and out.
Eric’s Truck
Eric’s truck won 1st place at many truck shows. The Oak Ridge Estate Mansion behind it was built in 1802.
Eilen & Sons Trucking’s Peterbilt
Eilen & Sons Trucking in Hampton, Minnesota built this 1990 Peterbilt, photographed in front of the Milwaukee Art Museum.
2003 Peterbilt 379
This 2003 Peterbilt 379 day cab belonging to Rusty Bradeen Trucking of Edgewood, WA was in town for the 2016 ATHS National Truck Show in Salem, OR in May 2016.
Rainey Farms Peterbilts
Rainey Farms Peterbilt 359 and 362 at Hartlee Field, Texas. Shot at the famous World War II training air strip near the Peterbilt factory in Denton, TX. This location is private and was used in the Faith Hill video for her song in the movie Pearl Harbor.
Park Master’s Peterbilt 389
Park Master’s Peterbilt 389 out of Kansas in the Big Basin Redwoods. Located near Santa Cruz CA, this is Big Basin Redwood Park, some of which was damaged by fire several years ago.
Dane Nelson’s Peterbilt 389
Dane Nelson’s Peterbilt 389 at the UCSD Student Union. Calendar truck shoot in San Diego CA at golden hour.
Steve Vermeer’s Hot Rod Peterbilt
Steve Vermeer’s hot rod-style Peterbilt 352 in studio with a classic car.
Timmy’s Peterbilt 389
Timmy’s Peterbilt 389 Single Axle Hay Hauler in Studio. Timmy hauls hay in the Central Valley. This truck has many customizations including a lowered front end from a car carrier truck.
V-Max on a Helipad
V-Max out of Zeeland, Michigan on top of the helipad in Chatsworth, CA.
Peterbilt 379
Shot using Portra 400 with my Mamiya 7II, this Peterbilt 379 belongs to Richie Hay and Bed Rock Inc., shot on location in Point Arena CA.
Peterbilt 379
Cash Rainer’s 1992 Peterbilt 379 with livestock trailer, captured on a Portra 400 driving to a location in Grenville, New Mexico.
Peterbilt 362
A scouting shot made on 35mm film of Dandee Dairy’s Peterbilt 362 getting loaded with cow chow in West Texas.
Peterbilt 362 Hay Hauler
Here’s Bill Hawhee’s custom Peterbilt 362 hay hauler shot on film in the Topaz Lake area of CA.
Daryl and his Peterbilt 359
Portrait of Daryl, a professional truck driver for Jesse Bounds Trucking next to the Peterbilt 359 truck and trailer he drives everyday.
Peterbilt 379
Slight overhead shot of the Peterbilt 379 of James Davis Trucking of Medford, Oregon, at White Sands Monument, New Mexico with a load of wood products headed to Texas.
Peterbilt 362 Hay Hauler
Shot on Portra 160, a detail shot of the stainless work on Bill Hawhee’s custom Peterbilt 362 hay hauler shot on film in the Topaz Lake area of CA.
Peterbilt 379
Captured on Ilford HP5, a cowboy walks his horse away from Cash’s sweet Peterbilt 379 in Grenville, New Mexico.
Peterbilt 379
Front shot of Cash Rainer’s 1992 Peterbilt 379 on location in Grenville New Mexico captured on Ilford HP5 with my Nikon F4s.
Peterbilt 389
Jeff Houts’ new custom Peterbilt 389 with curtain side trailer shot on Portra 800 near Yreka, California. Jeff is from Madras, Oregon.
Peterbilt 289, And the Photographer
Roger Snider, checking the light on location at Leaping Deer Ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico, with Jack Collins’ 1969 Peterbilt 289, a former Coors Beer delivery truck, in the background.
Peterbilt 379
James Davis’ Peterbilt 379 from Medford, Oregon, arriving on location at White Sands Monument with a summer storm brewing in the background.
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