Brooklyn the Bordoodle: A Puppy Photoshoot in Rouse Hill (Studio Session at 14 Weeks Old)


There's something completely magical about photographing a puppy who hasn't even had all their vaccinations yet, still so tiny, still so new to the world, and absolutely bursting with personality.


That was Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is a Bordoodle (a Poodle x Border Collie mix) and at just 14 weeks old, she was already the most composed, well-behaved, and completely irresistible little creature I think I've ever photographed. And I say that having photographed a lot of dogs.

Smiling couple in matching sweaters sitting with a fluffy gray and white puppy on a black background Rouse hill puppy photoshoot
Fluffy gray and white broodle puppy sitting against a black background in a professional studio portrait photo in rouse hill sydney

The Session That Started With a Google Search


Flo and Tiffany had originally planned to wait until Brooklyn was older and fully vaccinated before booking a puppy photoshoot. Totally understandable, when you've got a young pup, you're careful. But somewhere along the way, they had a change of heart. Brooklyn was growing fast (as puppies do), and they didn't want to miss this chapter.

So they searched for a dog / puppy photographer near them. And they found me, 6 minutes down the road.


That honestly never gets old. The internet is a wild and wonderful thing. Someone types "puppy photographer Rouse Hill" or "dog photographer Hills District" into Google, and suddenly we're neighbours who've never met, about to spend an afternoon photographing their baby dog in my home studio. I love this job.

A fluffy black and white puppy stands against a dark background in a professional studio portrait photo. Rouse hill pet photographer

Why a Home Studio Was the Perfect Choice


Because Brooklyn hadn't yet completed her vaccination schedule, meeting other dogs wasn't something we wanted to risk. An outdoor location or a shared studio space just weren't going to work. That's where my home studio set-up came in.


I transformed part of my home into a black background mini studio, think clean, dramatic, beautifully lit portraits against a dark backdrop. It's a style that works beautifully for pets, especially puppies, because the dark background draws all the focus onto them. Every fluffy curl, every bright eye, every tiny paw, front and centre.


And because it was my home, Brooklyn wasn't walking into a busy, noisy environment full of unfamiliar smells from other animals. She arrived, sniffed around a little, decided everything was fine, and basically just got on with being adorable.

Meet the Bordoodle (Yes, They're a Thing, and Yes, They're Amazing)


I'll be honest — I didn't know what a Bordoodle was before this session. I do now, and I am completely in love with this breed.

A Bordoodle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle. You're combining what are widely considered two of the smartest dog breeds in the world, and the result is exactly what you'd expect: an intelligent, curious, loyal, and ridiculously photogenic dog with a soft, fluffy coat that photographs like a dream.


Brooklyn had the most beautiful black and white and gray, coat ( perfect against the black background) and the kind of bright, alert eyes that just talk to the camera. He held his little poses, he looked where I needed him to look, and he barely fussed once.


I cannot recall ever photographing a 14 week old puppy that calm. Actually, I don't think I have.

A couple in matching beige and white outfits sit on a dark floor, smiling while holding a fluffy gray and white dog in rouse hill sydney

The Session: Brooklyn Solo, Then the Three of Them Together


We started with a few portraits of just Brooklyn, close-up shots that really let her face and coat be the hero of the image. Against the black background, the contrast was stunning. She looked like a tiny, fluffy superstar.


Then Flo and Tiffany joined in, and the whole energy shifted in the best way. There's something so joyful about watching people with their puppy — especially a new puppy, when the love is still so fresh and a little overwhelming. The three of them together made for some genuinely beautiful shots.


It was a lot of fun. The kind of session that flies by and leaves everyone smiling..

Smiling couple in matching cream sweaters cuddling with a small broodle dog against a dark background in rouse hill photoshoot
Two smiling people pose with a small fluffy black and white dog against a dark background in home photoshoot with in rouse hill
Two smiling women pose with a fluffy gray and white puppy against a dark background in rouse hill photoshoot

A Note on Timing: Why Puppy Photoshoots Don't Have to Wait


A lot of people think they need to wait until their puppy is older, calmer, or fully vaccinated before they book a session. And while I understand that instinct, I'd gently push back on it.


Puppies grow fast. The 14 week version of Brooklyn will never exist again. In a few months she'll be bigger, more independent, and still beautiful — but she won't be this. The tiny paws, the oversized ears, the way they fit perfectly in your lap, that window closes quickly.


If outdoor sessions aren't yet safe because of vaccinations, a home studio set-up like this one is a brilliant solution. It's controlled, it's safe, and the images have a completely different feel to a typical outdoor shoot — in the best possible way. Black background pet photography has a timeless, gallery-worthy quality that a lot of people fall in love with once they see it.


So if you've just brought home a puppy and you're already mourning how fast they're growing — book the session now. Don't wait.

Fluffy gray and white puppy sitting against a dark black background in a studio portrait photo. Rouse hill photographer
Couple ] kissing a small fluffy black and white border collie poodle mix dog against a dark background in rouse hill photoshoot

Puppy Photography in Rouse Hill and the Hills District


I'm based in Rouse Hill, which means I'm genuinely local to a lot of the Hills District. Suburbs like The Gables, Box Hill, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Glenwood, Stanhope Gardens, Schofields, and surrounding areas are all close by — and I love that I get to photograph families and their pets right here in the neighbourhood.


If you're a Hills District family with a new puppy (or an older dog who deserves their moment in the spotlight), I'd love to chat about what a session might look like for you.


I offer both outdoor sessions — at spots like Rouse Hill Regional Park and Nurragingy Reserve — and home studio set-ups like Brooklyn's for puppies who aren't yet fully vaccinated or dogs who do better in a quieter, more controlled environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Photography in Sydney

Can you photograph my puppy before they're fully vaccinated?

Yes! A home studio set-up is ideal for young puppies who haven't completed their vaccination schedule. Your puppy doesn't need to come into contact with other animals, and the controlled environment means we can still create beautiful, professional portraits safely.

What is black background pet photography?

It's a studio-style approach where the subject is lit against a dark or black backdrop. It creates a dramatic, clean, gallery-quality look that really makes your pet the star of the image. It works especially well for dogs with interesting coats and expressive faces.

How long does a puppy photoshoot take?

For young puppies, I recommend to keep sessions shorter — around 30 to 45 minutes. Puppies have a limited attention window, so we work with their energy rather than against it. You'd be surprised how much we can capture in that time.

Can my whole family be included?

Absolutely. While my in-home mini studio is small, Brooklyn's session included portraits of her alone and portraits with Flo and Tiffany together. Whether you want pet-only shots, family shots, or a mix, we can plan the session to include whatever feels right.

Where are you based?

I'm based in Rouse Hill in Sydney's Hills District. I photograph families, pets, and horses across the Hills District, Greater Western Sydney, and beyond — including Northern Beaches locations like Mosman, Balmoral, and North Curl Curl.

Hergott Photography is a pet-friendly, family photographer based in Rouse Hill, Sydney. Specialising in dog friendly family photography, puppy portraits, equine sessions, and couples photography across the Hills District, Greater Sydney, and beyond. Get in touch to start planning your session.