Black and white photo of Parris Todd playing pickleball.
There are so many iconic pickleball photographs to choose from. PPA Tour

Celebrating World Photography Day with top pickleball images

DALLAS, TX – To celebrate World Photography Day, we've compiled some of the coolest images captured by the UPA Media Team.

The talented group of professionals takes thousands upon thousands of photographs at every tournament, so choosing the best of the bunch is a difficult task.

That being said, here are some of the favorites as selected by the experts themselves.

Rylie Newman, Collin Johns, and Jaume Martinez Vich in dyanmic poses all hitting a backhand shot
Riley Newman, Collin Johns, and Jaume Martinez Vich PPA Tour

“We look for emotion first, then framing and composition second. First, you want to capture the emotion of who is in your photo, and then make sure that the subject is framed in a way that tells the story of the emotion they’re feeling,” explained Ryan Foell, the PPA Tour's Media Production Manager. “There are all the technical aspects like color theory and focus, but the first thing is emotion,”

Jaume Martinez Vich hitting a two handed backhand
Jaume Martinez Vich PPA Tour

Speaking of emotion, there are pros who definitely deliver in that department.

The man dubbed "The Most Electrifying Man In Sports" is among Foell's favorites.

Tyson McGuffin hitting a backhand in an athletic pose
Tyson McGuffin  PPA Tour

Tyson McGuffin is great to shoot because he’s an emotional player. If he’s down, you see that anger on his face,“ he shared. “When he’s up, he’s pumped, yelling, and showing all his emotions. Also, his look is great with his tattoos that pop on camera.”

Tyson McGuffin screaming to the crowd and jumping while playing pickleball
Tyson McGuffin PPA Tour

Foell pays close attention to Federico Staksrud and Anna Leigh Waters, too.

“Federico and Anna Leigh are players I like to shoot because they’re playing at such a high level. You can capture the athleticism in their photos when you see them get balls that would be impossible for anyone else,” he said. “When you see still images of their athleticism, it's cool to document.”

Anna Leigh Waters lunging for a pickleball
Anna Leigh Waters PPA Tour

A good photo tells a story. It can capture the tension of a close match and the anticipation of spectators watching a crucial point.

Images like these highlight the remarkable athleticism inherent in professional pickleball that sometimes goes unnoticed during a fast-paced broadcast.

Riley Newman with an intense face, returning a pickleball barely over the net
Riley Newman  PPA Tour

Seeing Connor Garnett's two-handed backhand up close and personal, for example, really puts the intensity involved in a match into perspective.
Connor Garnett hitting a two handed backhand
Connor Garnett PPA Tour

I just wish I looked this good while playing rec pickleball.

Maybe after a little more practice.