I have a huge thing for reptiles. My two chameleons are probably my most frequent subjects, whether they like it or not lol.
I don't really have a lot of input on taking pictures of snakes aside from the fact that they can be quite unpredictable so for a good shot proper lighting and a quick shutter-speed are key.
I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone else has better advice.
Not sure what sort or, as other mentioned, the environment but when I was photographing rattle snakes in the hills of Montana, I discovered that if you have someone holding something big, like a leafy branch above you and shaking it, the snake will rear up and watch the branch, completely ignoring you. Makes for some dramatic photographs.