Meet the Team
Houndstooth Studio consists of an amazing team of professional staff, who maintain our standards in customer service and product quality, and who support and nurture our business.
Alex Cearns – Owner / Photographer
Our skilled photographer Alex Cearns uses her experience, patience, and natural affinity with animals to capture relaxed and candid studio shots. She has won over 15 awards for animal photography and her images have been published in national and international books and magazines. As the official photographer for the RSPCA WA, Alex has acquired many skills to ensure that she has your pet’s full attention and trust. Her extensive animal handling expertise enables her to create beautiful images of the most difficult but beloved pet. She even holds a diploma in Animal Care! As a Full Member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers, Alex adheres to their high standards of excellence and ethical conduct. She has also been awarded a photography accreditation of Licentiate of the Australian Photographic Society. Alex actively participates in the Perth photography community and is frequently invited to speak at camera clubs and judge photography competitions.
Debora Brown PhD – Business and Partnerships Manager
Dr Debora Brown is our fabulous Business and Partnerships Manager. With a PhD in social marketing and a Masters of Business (Marketing), she has 15 years experience in corporate marketing and event management. She is passionate about all creatures great and small and was integrally involved in the highly successful “Talk to The Animals” Expos from the TV show of the same name that launched the careers of Dr Harry Cooper and several other TV personalities. Debora casts her experienced eye over our contractual agreements and provides advertising and marketing campaign advice. She also works tirelessly at every one of our on-ground events, and runs front-of-house during our Vetwest photo days.
Caitlin – Digital Artist
Our editing software genius, Caitlin, has been an integral part of the Houndstooth Studio team since we opened our doors. She is both a skilled digital artist and portraiture photographer who helps ensure that every image is of the highest standard.
Suzie, Clare, Di and Erin – Domestic and Native Animal Handlers
Suzie is our experienced native animal handler who assists Alex with all native animal photo sessions. When photographing a bilby, endangered cockatoo, or venomous snake, Suzie is the person we call upon. An expert in reading animal energy and pre-empting animal behaviour, Suzie works at the Kanyana Wildlife rehabilitation Centre and runs the pet counselling business Animism, which offers guidance and support to enable humans to better understand their pets.
Clare is our lead domestic animal handler and has ably assisted Alex for over three years. You might have seen her at one of the RSPCA Million Paws Walks, working hard alongside Alex in the Houndstooth Studio pet photo booth or out at the RSPCA during one of our kennel and cattery photo sessions. Clare works tirelessly to ensure that the dogs and cats we photograph look their very best in front of the camera. Her most recent animal handling session involved eleven dingoes. You can check out some behind the scenes pictures on our blog.
Di and Erin are Houndstooth Studio’s additional domestic animal handlers. Di steps in each time we need two people with animal expertise to work on a particular shoot. Erin helps out during our busy Vetwest photo days.
Liesa – Equine Advisor
Liesa holds court as our valuable and experienced equine advisor. She is a skilled horse rider and handler, having worked with (and owned) horses for many years. Liesa is always on hand for our off-site studio horse photo sessions, assisting with horse management and safety.
Team Houndstooth – Event Ground Crew
We also have to give a special mention and thank you to our Team Houndstooth members who pound the pavement for us during large events, such as the Million Paws Walk! Thanks Rachael, Daniel, Em, Suzie, Clare, Di and Debora!
Kenny – Studio Cat
If you happen to spot a one-eyed cat resting in the Houndstooth Studio gardens, chances are it’s our resident studio cat, Kenny. He sits outside the studio doors and keeps an inquisitive eye on the comings and goings of our clients.
Daisy – Studio Dog
You may also catch a glimpse of Daisy our studio dog when you visit Houndstooth Studio. At eleven years of age she is often still in bed when clients arrive for their early morning photography sessions. However, she loves her backstage role and enthusiastically assists Alex in clearing the studio of any discarded liver treats or Schmackos.