A former corporate professional from Amherst, NY has turned his passion for photography into an extraordinary career documenting canine life across the globe. John Fabiano, who began photography as a high school hobby, now travels worldwide capturing unique stories of dogs and their relationships with humans through his lens.
During the pandemic in 2020, Fabiano invested in professional camera equipment and honed his skills through photography lessons. By 2022, he made the bold decision to leave his corporate career and pursue his vision of photographing dogs internationally.
Despite having no professional portfolio, Fabiano's genuine enthusiasm earned him unexpected support from the photography community. A pivotal moment came during his meeting with a German shepherd breeder in Germany, who recognized his artistic talent and gave him the confidence to pursue his dream full-time.
His project, "Wags Around the World," has now taken him to 19 countries, where he documents four distinct categories: wild dogs, working dogs, purebred dogs, and "the underdogs." His work reveals fascinating cultural contrasts in human-canine relationships worldwide.
In Greenland, Fabiano photographed sled dogs living outdoors in the Arctic Circle, serving as essential working animals rather than pets. His lens captured Indian street dogs, some struggling for survival while others found protection from local communities. In Germany, he documented the prestigious status of German shepherds as highly-valued breeding dogs.
His dedication earned him the title of Documentary Dog Photographer of the Year from Dog Photography Awards in October 2024. Fabiano also gives back to the community through his annual calendar, with proceeds supporting local charities including the Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter.
Reflecting on his journey, Fabiano encourages others pursuing their dreams: "You're never going to feel fully ready until you start really doing it." Currently working in the Netherlands, he continues to document diverse canine stories, from therapy and police dogs to truffle hunters, sharing their unique tales with the world.