Thomas Schnide smiled often, and he got thousands of high school students to do the same -- just before he snapped the portraits that graced yearbooks and graduation announcements.

As owner of the venerable David Bank Studios, Schnide captured precious and monumental moments in many people's lives, using his camera to document everything from birthdays, weddings and family reunions to special events such as high school proms, homecoming and sporting events.

"He really brought the personality out in a person," said longtime friend Lisa Saline, who met Schnide in 1982 when she had her high school graduation picture taken by him and subsequently hired him to shoot her wedding and her children's baptisms and birthdays. "He could make pictures talk."

Schnide was playing basketball with his son on April 23 at his home in Lakeland when he died suddenly. Schnide, 53, had triple bypass surgery about 10 years ago and had scheduled a checkup for the next few weeks, said his brother Joe, of St. Paul.

Born in Rockton, Ill., Schnide graduated from Park High School in Cottage Grove, where he was known for his love of music and the arts. He enjoyed the blues and other musical genres and had a collection of more than 5,000 albums, his brother said. He developed his interest in photography and set up his own darkroom in the basement while at Park High and the University of Minnesota.

He began his photography career in the 1970s by shooting weddings, family events and working at a small photo processing company. He later bought David Bank Studios, and over the years he photographed cheer squads for the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Swarm and the former Minnesota North Stars.

In his off time, Schnide was a blues fan who played bass guitar for an ensemble called Relative Strangers. The group sometimes played at venues in the St. Croix River Valley, including the Stillwater American Legion and Muddy Waters.

"He was a very talented and sweet guy," said bandmate Kathy Drinkwine, who often joined him on outings to the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis and for practice sessions at his home. "He loved Van Morrison. He introduced me to so many blues artists. He loved singing and playing."

He also enjoyed movies, was a Timberwolves season ticket holder and wasn't afraid to express his views on politics, his brother said.

In addition to his brother, Joe, he is survived by his son, Adam, of Lakeland; stepchildren Jude Balsimo and Hailey Balsimo, both of Hudson, Wis.; his ex-wife, Naomi Balsimo, of Hudson, Wis.; another brother, Steve Tarrant, of Rockton, Ill., and his first wife, Sue Warman, of Afton.

Friends and co-workers are planning a musical celebration in his honor 2 to 8 p.m. May 23 at Valley House, 1237 Hwy. 35, Houlton, Wis.