BMX biker Ben Snowden practices tricks in his backyard. Photos and captions by Olivia Reed.

Ben Snowden, 32, is the Peter Pan of Santa Ana, California, where he resides with his band of “Lost Boys,” in a Neverland fully equipped with stripper poles, a Jagermeister dispenser and a backyard full of ramps to ride and play on. He’s self-described as “BMX Freestyle Product Research and Development.” Ben Snowden is a professional BMX rider; he exists in a world of riding, partying and sheer amusement. He operates under the motto: “ride hard and party harder.”

When it’s not fun and games, it’s traveling the world, winning X-Games medals and conquering 60-foot jumps. The work varies from competition riding, where Snowden competes in multiple disciplines, including some of his favorites: cement bowls, street, and the Megaramp; to stunt work for major motion pictures.

He rides for Hyper Bicycles, Vitamin Water, PowerBar and Agave Underground Tequila. His accomplishments include an X-Games Bronze medal in the 2009 games in Shanghai, China.

In addition to riding, Snowden has recently taken up mixing and producing his own music. Two years ago, he began mixing music, and in more recent months he has begun producing his own music and landed opportunities to perform locally. He has always been “interested in music” and found that being a DJ and BMX riding went hand in hand, because he needed something to fill the hours where he could not ride.

His exciting and adventurous life coincides with what Ben said was a favorite quote of his, “Find a job that you love and you will never work again.”

Below is a photo essay of Ben Snowden, which can also be found on Neon Tommy's Flickr account. 

Ben Snowden, a professional BMX rider, sponsored by Hyper Bicycles, works on his bike in his living room.

“Bike riding is an extension of my personality and creativity, where I can express who I am and art from performing tricks on my bike,” Ben Snowden.

Ben works on the back tire of his Hyper Bicycles bmx bike.

Ben lifts weights at the gym, where he met up with his personal trainer for cross-fit, a high-intensity conditioning and strength work out.

Ben laughs while doing a double peg stall on a spine ramp in his backyard.

Ben Snowden does a 360° over the box jump in his backyard.

Ben does a back flip in his backyard.

Ben has recently taken up music as a hobby for the late hours when he is unable to ride his bike, he said “it has been a challenge” but noted he has always been “interested in music.”

Ben practices in his bedroom for an upcoming local DJ gig.

“Ben’s Backyard” is infamous for hosting parties, which Ben often DJ’s.

These photos were taken in collaboration with "Views From A Windowless Room," an undergraduate photojournalism lab at USC's Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. Like "Views From A Windowless Room" on Facebook.

Reach reporter Olivia here.