On The Good List:
SNOOT ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Location: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
The short version
Professional animal photography for people who would like photographic evidence that their pet is, in fact, the most beautiful animal ever produced.
Snoot Animal Photography specialises in capturing pets properly — personality, expressions, weird little mannerisms and all — with both studio and on-location sessions available.
A considerable improvement on the 38 nearly identical photos currently sitting in your phone from this morning.
Why GDS loves it
Because animals deserve to be photographed as themselves.
Not necessarily sitting perfectly still, staring directly at a camera and pretending they've suddenly become extremely obedient.
The best pet photos capture the stuff you actually love about them — the face, the personality, the ears, the ridiculousness.
And one day, those photos will mean more than you realise.
We're not making jokes about that bit.
Things you need to know
📍 Newcastle / Lake Macquarie region
📸 Professional animal photography
🐕 Pets — not just humans reluctantly holding their pets
🖼️ Proper photographs you'll actually want to keep, print and put on the wall
📅 Both studio and on-location photography available, plus special mini-shoot events
⭐ Snoot has also offered dedicated mini pet photography sessions locally
Good for
Dogs, cats, senior pets, ridiculous personalities, milestone photos and finally obtaining a photograph where your dog isn't moving.
The GDS verdict
Less blurry. Considerably more frameable.
Website: https://www.snootanimalphotography.com.au
Instagram: @snootanimalphotography
PILLIE POOCHES
Location: Sydney · Online + Newcastle & Lake Mac Markets
The short version
Handmade collars, harnesses, leads, bandanas and accessories in enough colours and prints to make choosing unnecessarily difficult.
Based in Sydney, Pillie Pooches has a big online range and regularly heads north for markets around Newcastle and Lake Mac.
Why GDS loves it
Everything is handmade to order in NSW, with loads of options for dogs of different shapes, sizes and questionable fashion preferences.
They even cater for cats.
Fine.
Things you need to know
📍 Sydney-based, online Australia-wide + Newcastle & Lake Mac markets
✂️ Handmade to order in NSW
🐕 Collars, harnesses, leads, bandanas, bows and accessories
🐈 Breakaway collars available
🎨 Plenty of limited-run prints and seasonal collections
Good for
Matching sets, new walking gear, gifts and people who take their dog's wardrobe seriously.
The GDS verdict
You came for a collar. Things escalated.
Website: https://www.pilliepooches.com/
Instagram: @pillie_pooches