Gravity-Defying Photos of Determined Dogs Catching Frisbees in Mid-Air

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Photographer Claudio Piccoli makes otherwise ordinary pups look like superheroes. In his mesmerizing series called Dogs in Action, four-legged friends soar through the sky like Superman. They make the greatest leaps and bounds with ease—and often while having their eyes trained on catching a colorful frisbee. Piccoli's frozen moments in time remind us that dogs, in addition to being loyal companions, are incredible athletes, too.

Capturing the perfect shot of a dog in mid-air isn’t as effortless as the resulting images appear, though. Piccoli’s process for photographing a high-flying pup varies on the type of action he intends to represent. “It usually requires a lot of preparation,” he tells My Modern Met. Each dog and its movement requires different camera settings. Communication between the owner and their pup is also key. “It’s very important to explain to the owner what we want to do in the shoot and what we are expecting or how they should move in the action to be photographed correctly.”

Above all, producing Dogs in Action requires patience. “Dogs are not machines or models we can pay to do something,” Piccoli says, “and every dog and breed is different!” These differences are what makes the series so enjoyable for canine lovers. Scroll down to see some of the highlights from the project.

Photographer Claudio Piccoli makes otherwise ordinary pups look like superheroes.

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

His photos of dogs in mid-air highlight the incredible athleticism of canines.

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Photos of Dogs in Mid-Air by Claudio Piccoli

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Photos of Dogs in Mid-Air by Claudio Piccoli

Photos of Dogs in Mid-Air by Claudio Piccoli

Photos of Dogs in Mid-Air by Claudio Piccoli

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Photos of Dogs in Mid-Air by Claudio Piccoli

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Photos of Dogs in Mid-Air by Claudio Piccoli

Claudio Piccoli: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Claudio Piccoli.

Related Articles:

Up-Close Photos Capture the Diverse Textures and Patterns of Dogs Fur

Funny Photos of Dogs Concentrating on Catching Treats in Mid-Air

40+ Beautiful Portraits of All the Different Personalities Dogs Have

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.