Australian photographer Alex Cearns crafts exquisite animal portraits that convey the intrinsic joy people find in animals. As Creative Director of Perth-based Houndstooth Studio, she photographs around 1,300 animals per year. Her clients include engaged pet lovers, leading corporate brands, and around 40 Australian and international animal charities and conservation organisations. Her images have been published extensively worldwide, in media, books, magazines, and ad campaigns.
An undisputed leader in her niche, Cearns is the recipient of more than 350 awards for her photography, business, and philanthropy. She is a Master Photographer with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and an Ambassador for Tamron, Profoto, BenQ, Studio Ninja, Ilford Imaging Australia, and Spider Camera Holster.
Deeply committed to the wellbeing of all creatures great and small, Cearns is considered one of Australia’s most passionate champions and voices for animal rescue and wildlife conservation. Her advocacy and philanthropy were distinguished with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) from the Council for the Order of Australia for her photography services to animal charity organisations.
Cearns is the published author of seven books with her latest book, The Quokka’s Guide to Happiness, released in December 2020, and published by Harper Collins Australia.
Her influence among animal lovers, photographers, and the pet industry includes a strong following on social media. She contributes regularly to magazines, blogs, and podcasts and appears on radio and television.
An accomplished public speaker, Cearns warmth, humour, and uplifting visual storytelling engages her audience in her passions for business, photography, and animals. After almost a decade mentoring and coaching fellow photographers on how to achieve their business goals, Cearns launched Black Cat Consulting and released her now sought-after Business Acceleration Program for Pet Photographers to clients all over the world.
Cearns is World Expedition’s first female wildlife photography tour leader, taking likeminded animal lovers to some of the world’s most exciting, ‘off the beaten track’ animal destinations. She has travelled to all seven continents. She lives with her partner, two rescue dogs, and a rescue cat in Perth, Western Australia.
www.houndstoothstudio.com.au
Click this link to see the entire impressive judging panel for Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers 2021.