Reviews

“Thank you beautiful Alex, not only for the way you captured our little cutie-pie Winston, but also for the charity work you do. You made the photo session fun for Winston and the pictures capture his personality perfectly. I give you 100 out of 5 stars. It’s wonderful for Perth to have such an amazing artist at our doorstep!”
Rachel for Winston

“This is the first time I have been to a photography studio with my three dogs. Two are very confident but my little one Cleo is generally vey nervous. But Alex is a miracle worker with the patience of a saint. I was expecting a lot of messing around from the dogs and them to be a handful, but Alex had it all under control and wasn’t bothered by three dogs in the slightest. Alex is a legend and I can’t thank her enough for capturing these moments for us”
Caitlin – Cleo, Jayden, and Bodhi

“Just got back from a photo session with Alex for my two babies Tilly and Ranger. I was a little unsure of how Ranger would go as he is usually wary of about 80% of people but he jumped straight into Alex’s arms so there weren’t any problems there. A few treats and a ball and he was following her commands with ease. Tilly was terrific as usual but of course lots of treats were appreciated. Thanks again for a pleasant and fun experience for all of us.
Janine – Ranger and Tilly

“Daisy took to Alex very quickly. She thought all her christmas’ had come at once when Alex opened her treat drawer. Alex took it in stages by introducing herself to Daisy, then introducing her to the flash, followed by the couch. Daisy never took her eyes off Alex as there was extremely yummy treats on offer. Thank you Alex for very relaxed and comfortable photo session.”
Denise – Daisy

“My dogs recently had their photo shoot and I was a little apprehensive about how it would go as one of my dogs is blind and the other a little ferocious towards strangers. However, all my worrying was in vain as Alex was so good with my dogs and knew exactly what to do to put them at ease. ‘Noddy’ (the ‘ferocious’ one) didn’t exhibit one ounce of ferocity towards Alex and both seemed to really enjoyed themselves and were so tired afterwards. I am so passionate about my dogs and having amazing pictures of them around my home will ensure I’m always reminded of them and how lucky I am to have them in my life. Thank you Alex for doing such a great job. I really did have a wonderful time and I think my dogs did too.”
Louise – Noddy and Bree

 “We just had photos taken by with Alex and I would highly recommend to anyone considering photos of their little ones. She was so patient especially when our weiro kept flying around the room. I was worried he wouldn’t wouldn’t sit still long enough to get a good shot but Alex’s calm nature and skills reassured me and when I saw his photos I couldn’t have been happier. The whole process has been so amazing. Thank you again Alex and to Colleen in the office. My partner works FIFO and Colleen worked with us to fit us in and has been so helpful. Everything was made a breeze!”
Kelly – Sunny

“My dog, Maggie and I had a great experience recently with Alex. On arrival I found the studio to be a relaxing, quiet and cool environment which eased Maggie into her comfort zone. Alex greeted Maggie with more treats than imaginable (doggie heaven) and was very patient with her. The whole experience went smoother than I could have possibly imagined. It was the first time Maggie and I have done anything like this and I’m pleased with how it went.”
Melissa – Maggie

“When you’re a true animal lover, there’s no such thing as being a ‘dog person’ or a ‘cat person’ – we just love them all! Alex has a true affinity with all creatures great and small, plus the amazing talent of digitally capturing their personalities and creating stunning works of art. I think my cats have each enjoyed their modelling sessions as much as I did watching an artist at work. Billie loved her time with Alex so much that the minute we got back home she was posing once again, hoping a better photographer than me would show up probably. Thanks once again Alex!”
Jo – Billie and Claude (RIP)

“Thank you to Alex for the pictures of my two cats Gump and Lorkan. As the mum of one cat who is scared of anything outside his home and another who will often hiss and growl at strangers, I was a little worried in doing the shoot and in fact deliberated a while before deciding to do book. I was pleasantly surprised on the day as Alex managed to get some lovely shots. I was the most worried about Lorkan, but not one growl or hiss was heard from him. The outcome was a much less stressful experience for them than I had worried about and resulted in some beautiful pictures. Thanks again Alex.”
Yee – Lorkan and Bean

“Alex was brilliant with Kira, I can almost never get Kira to look at a camera or a phone for a photo. Alex had Kira staring right down the camera lens so the photos look fantastic!”
Alyce – Kira

“Wow!  fter admiring Alex’s work for many years, I was blown away with the photo shoot of my two beautiful twin boys. She was so great and patient and calmed them down (no easy feat with two hyper working dogs) to get the most beautiful photos with their personalities shining through. Alex forms an immediate rapport with them, and is so calm. She goes the extra mile to get the perfect shot and I love the wonderful work she does for animal rescue and charities. Such a delightful experience all around and I am thrilled with my photos that will have pride of place forever. Thank you from me, Bayley and Skater.”
Sharon – Bayley and Skater

“I first had the privilege to meet Alex when we nominated Cass our Boxer dog down for a modelling call out and he was chosen. I had seen a lot of Alex’s photographs so was looking forward to seeing her and watching how she worked. What can I say? She is incredible! So friendly and natural with our dog that we booked another photo shoot but this time with our new boxer pup Betty to join in with Cass. That was another great experience. I thought it would be hard work with the two of them, but Alex was so calm and patient with them both and had some great techniques to get the photos that she wanted. This gave me the push to ignite my own interest in photography so joined in with Alex’s beginners workshop. I am a novice and there were people in the group that really knew what they were doing, but Alex put me at ease from the moment I walked in. She was witty and made us laugh which kept me focused. The morning went by so quickly  and Alex made time for people to ask questions. We then went to the wildlife park for a few hours, taking photos of the animals using our newly learnt skills, and trying to put what we had been taught into action. Alex was there the whole time to give us assistance, and feedback on our photos. Alex is a wonderful teacher, with lots of good stories. She is kind and patient and it was a privilege to be there on her final group workshop.”
Elaine – Cass and Betty

“Houndstooth Studio is the best! Alex was very patient with our very cheeky English Staffy Olive, who I thought might not relax enough for Alex to work with. However as soon as we arrived and Alex greeted us warmly, I knew I needn’t have been concerned. Olive loved Alex, which speaks volumes to me. The shoot was amazing for me to witness and I enjoyed every moment. My jaw dropped when I saw a couple of the shots Alex captured. Absolutely stunning! Thank you Alex for a wonderful experience.”
Susan – Olive

“I made the 1.5 hour drive to Alex’s studio to have some photos taken of my cat and dog. I was a bit worried that my energetic and exuberant dog would be difficult to get to keep still. Not to mention our cat, who like most cats is impossible to get to do what you want. Alex did a great job with the both of them and I cannot wait to see the photos!”
Jennifer – Deni and Ninja

“Last week we had our photo shoot session with Alex for Jasper (6 year old husky) and Odin (2 year old tabby). The way Alex interacted with them was so amazing. She gave them time to get comfortable and didn’t force them to do anything they didn’t want. She was so patient with Odin who can get scared out of the house as he doesn’t leave it that often, and managed to get some awesome photos of him. All the photos turned out amazing and although it was really hard to decide which ones we wanted to order but Alex has a method that really helps in the selection process. We couldn’t be happier with how everything went. Thank you for the amazing job you’ve done Alex!”
Emma – Jasper and Odin

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Alex for capturing the personalities of my two fur-babies perfectly. We went into the photo shoot thinking Missy would be a poser and Rocky would be the trouble child. Nope, they both decided to play up. Thank you so much for taking the time to make them feel comfortable. It’s hard to believe they could look like this. You do an amazing job with the little rascals!”
Mandy – Rocky and Missy

“What an amazing session Ella and Tzarzy just had with Alex. I couldn’t believe when we got there it was just Alex doing everything herself – I always thought she had a team of assistants helping her get such lovely images. She had an amazing natural connection with both dogs and had them posing like supermodels within minutes.”
Susan – Ella and Tzarzy

“We had an awesome time and so did our two greyhounds. Alex was really great with our quiet, shy girl Felicity and our big bold boy Mully! It was a fantastic experience and I’m so glad we went.”
Jordan and Corey – Felicity and Mully

“Cadbury was booked for her second photo shoot with Alex, however due to her ongoing cancer treatment she wasn’t feeling 100% on the day. I was a little concerned about how she would go but I needn’t have worried. The studio is set up perfectly and Cadbury had lots of fun being the centre of attention. Alex had her eating out of the palm of her hand literally and figuratively – which says a lot as Cadbury hasn’t been eating well. Alex is the dog whisperer! Rumba had a wonderful time too. Thank you for creating lasting memories of my precious fur baby.”
Tracey- Cadbury and Rumba

“Houndstooth Studio has been a fantastic experience for me. Everyone who has seen the Houndstooth artwork has been blown away as Alex has captured my three fur kids in their unique little ways, that showcases their individual personalities.”
Amanda – Charlie, Lucy and Tilley

“Alex, your professional approach and love for animals is a credit to you and his photos will be treasured by us forever. We highly recommend Houndstooth to anyone who wants an enduring portrait of their favourite pet.”
Roger and Rosie – Kingston

“Alex was fantastic; when she met the dogs she totally captivated and connected with them. She is a complete professional – calm, precise, intuitive, warm, patient, engaging, creative and obviously loves her job.”
Louise and Narelle – Gilly and Jasper

“The shoot was great fun. Alex’s studio is set up for a dog to enjoy, with lots of toys and treats for them to choose from! Alex “gets” dogs. Bella was certainly comfortable with her and inquisitive, alert and bright-eyed for the whole shoot.”
Moira – Bella

“Anyone can point and shoot a camera and call themselves a photographer, not many people can do what you are able to do though – capture the very essence of your subjects. All done with great patience and humour.”
Nat and Chris – Mogwai, Shadow and Jaffa

“Diesel and I were made most welcome on arrival and as Alex got to work she made sure Diesel was calm and relaxed to get the best photos possible. I highly recommend her services and the finished products just takes your breath away.”
Adele – Diesel

“Our photo session was a fabulous experience we will never forget. Our dogs were constantly smiling for the whole shoot and they absolutely loved all the special attention they received. I would definitely recommend Houndstooth Studio to any pet-lover who is interested in having photographs done. Alex was professional and worked so well with the dogs. She knew exactly how to get the perfect pic.”
Emily and Ian – Benny and Bart

“The fact that Alex could manage to get our Jack Russell to sit still was an amazing accomplishment in itself. We were very impressed with the whole process, from the actual shoot through to selecting our photos and then the amazing finished product. Alex is a natural and you can generally see that her true passion in life is animals and capturing them at their best.”
Jayne and Josh – Arthur and Daley

“To sum my experience up I would describe Alex and Houndstooth Studio as: Flexible, patient, professional, friendly and incredibly talented with a special eye for detail. I would highly recommend her to all pet owners.”
Aleysha– Doug

“Molly is my special girl because she has a serious heart problem and will only live a short life. I wanted to get something special done so she could be with me forever. I’m so glad I found Houndstooth Studio. Alex really cares about animals and knows how to get the best out of them.” 
Sharon – Molly and Tasha

“Alex was unbelievably patient; I was amazed that she had Wombat staring into the camera for so long. A studio session is an absolute must-do for anyone who holds an animal close to their heart. The only hard thing about the entire process was deciding which of the photos to choose!”
Sam – Wombat

“Alex was able to capture Dave perfectly, from his happy smiling face to a look of complete confusion. At the end of it all, we had some amazing shots of Dave and in particular a truly fantastic picture mounted on aluminium.”
Richard and Noellene – Dave

“Alex captured the quintessential character of our beloved hound. I was fascinated with the rapport she developed with him in just seconds when we came for the sitting. She had him literally eating out of her hand. I really appreciated the patience Alex had with him, especially given his advanced years. The service you provide is professional, friendly and very efficient and of the highest quality. The photographs will be treasured forever.”
Deborah – Jake

“Our dog Harley has a very serious heart condition and we aren’t sure how much longer he will be around. We emailed Alex and she responded immediately with an appointment late the very next day. We were delighted, to say the least. Alex, we can’t thank you enough for capturing the character of both dogs. We really appreciate the way you handled our dogs with so much care and concern. From our first sitting to the time we left with our purchases, we felt like we had made a new friend in you, which demonstrates just how much we enjoyed the whole experience.”
Loraine and Martin – Harley and Millie

“Thank you so much for Ruby’s photographs. They are just brilliant! My partner has already commandeered 2 of the pictures to hang in his office at work. He reckons they are just sensational and want to show them off!”
Christina and Simon – Ruby

“We would like to thank you for the patience you took to get these shots. You obviously love animals because they loved you. Your professionalism is a credit to you and we can’t wait to have more photos of the rest of our furry kids.”
Julie and Robbie – Benson and Jake

“Alex was so very gentle and loving with Caleb and therefore Caleb’s photo shoot was an easier experience for him than I could ever imagine it would be. We were both amazed at his ability to cope with the away from home experience and I am so very happy with the photos Alex took of him. Thank you Alex for helping Caleb and I have something we never thought was possible.”
Roz – Caleb

“Alex just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for the amazing pictures I just picked up. We just got home and unwrapped the canvas WOW WOW WOW. “Oh my gosh oh my gosh” – I could keep saying that! What an awesome, beautiful, gorgeous picture . It’s beyond belief and  brought a tear to my eyes.  I love how you have managed to capture Angus’s personality in every different photo you have taken.”
Christine – Angus

"The amazing and heart-warming photographs taken by multi award winning  photographer Alex Cearns have greatly assisted Free the Bears (FTB). Alex and Debora have made several trips to our sanctuaries in South East Asia (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) and India and Alex's photographs show the difference made to the lives of rescued and rehabilitated bears.  Alex has generously donated her beautiful bear images to FTB , and they have been used in our marketing and on merchandise, purchased by our supporters, auctioned or used as raffle prizes.  Alex has directly raised over $60,000 for FTB through art exhibitions, limited edition print sales, supporting our fundraisers and gala ball events, and taking paying guests on tour to our sanctuaries. She has also helped raise our profile by obtaining television and print media features, speaking about the work we do at FTB and sharing her images with a global audience. Her donations have given us the means to expand our sanctuaries,  provide both mental and physical enrichment to all our bears, and has helped in many other different ways. One of her fundraising photo exhibitions raised enough funds to cover the wages of our bear cub keeper for 12 months, paid for cub formula for 12 months, and enabled us to build an outdoor classroom. Alex is a great campaigner for all animals and her images reveal how passionate she is in her work as she captures the heart and soul of any animal she photographs. Alex has a very special talent and an extremely generous heart and both she and Debora have a very special place in Free the Bears heart and mine. Free the Bears are so very fortunate to have such generous support from Houndstooth Studio."
Mary Hutton - Free The Bears  

“Watching Alex in action with native wildlife revealed her exceptional ability to work with animals.  Most animals, especially native animals, can be extremely unpredictable to work with. It requires more than knowledge of animal behaviour, it also requires being able to emit the right feeling or energy to help the animal relax.  Alex’s ability to work calmly and amazingly quickly with our native animals made the incredible shots she obtained entirely possible. Her obvious passion for endangered wildlife shines through so truthfully in her photography, and the ease of working with such a bubbly and passionate soul made the photographic days spent with her an absolute breeze.  We at Bonorong were first attracted to Alex because of her generous support for other animal organisations in need. After seeing her work, we knew instinctively she could achieve so much at our sanctuary and that her personality would shine through in her photography. She is an amazing talent and a true artist.  The results of the project she recently worked on with us simply would not have been possible without the passion and pride she displays in her work.  We would welcome Alex back ANY time. No amount of money could buy the emotions she captured forever in her beautiful images of our precious wildlife.”
Greg Ions – Owner and conservationist Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania

“Alex is a true philanthropist – she does not simply make a donation to Bali Animal Welfare Association, she truly immerses herself in our work and she understands what we do, the challenges we face and she offers her support in a myriad of ways. When Alex travels to Bali to work with us, she stands alongside myself and our staff in the field rescuing puppies and kittens from trash dumps, taking part in informal animal welfare education sessions with local people and she sheds tears with us when one of our animals doesn’t make it. The way in which Alex truly understands our work and the world in which we operate speaks volumes, for her integrity both as a human being and as a business woman. Alex does not choose to adopt an animal charity in order to promote the social conscience of her business – she is the social conscience of her business. Her actions are living proof of this. To all of us at BAWA Alex’s support is invaluable, she has taken remarkable photographic images of the animals of Bali which she then freely provides us to use as we wish for marketing and promotional purposes.  As a not for profit struggling to survive in a developing country we would never be able to obtain images of such quality, that tell the true story of the animals of Bali without Alex and Houndstooth Studio.”
Janice Girardi – Founder Bali Animal Welfare Association, Bali 

“Alex Cearns, and the Houndstooth Studio team have been an incredible partner donating their professional services to help us with our calendars, cards, bookmarks and other merchandises. We are incredibly humbled as we have never had to approach Alex. She has helped us raise money through the photos she captured then donated. Alex was also the first business to pledge support of our  inaugural Quiz Night by donating  photography session vouchers and a huge print canvas. The items helped us raise hundreds of dollars, which went  towards saving neglected and abandoned animals in Perth and the surrounding areas. Saving Animals From Euthanasia Perth are incredibly grateful, and acknowledge that through Alex’s dedication to our foster animals, many more lives have been saved. Alex also often links pictures and posts to our Facebook page, an important tool in our networking to save more lives, creating more awareness of our fosters and animals needing care or homes.”
Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE) Perth Committee 

“The WA Dingo Association wanted to create a calendar  featuring our member’s Dingoes. We needed to find a professional animal photographer who could capture the true ‘essence’ of a Dingo, who could create a pictorial representation of what we see every day; a beautiful creature, sentient, aware, gentle, loving and empathetic. A magnificent, athletic, native Australian wolf with inherent instincts that show in their character, a sometimes detached condescending aloofness, and an independence from need of human care, but a proud and regular humorous ‘larrikin’ when raised in a domestic environment with the right people. That was the brief.  BIG expectations of any photographer. But Alex and her team transformed those expectations into a reality. She nailed it. Alex and her team are true ‘animal people’. Aboriginal Dreamtime legends depict the Dingo as an all seeing, all aware being, and Dingoes know instinctively if you are a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ person. Alex and her team all passed with flying colours. The Dingoes loved them! The photo sessions were relaxed and the Dingoes were at ease and comfortable, allowing them to show their true nature and allow Alex to capture that as an image for all to see. Alex’s photographic style us unique in the market. The animal is the focus and there are no distractions. The images are exactly what you want of your best friend, and exactly ‘who and what’ they are, captured in a millisecond. If you want a ‘living memory’ and a true representation of your furred, feathered, fanged or finned friend, Alex and her team will deliver. Since our initial calendar in 2011, Alex has provided her services free of charge for each subsequent year, and we have used her images on greeting cards, merchandise and advertising items.”
Leigh Mullan – President West Australian Dingo Association 

“Alex has supplied numerous images for our fundraising events and it is through her high quality work and donation of her pieces that we have been able to raise the money for our animal welfare projects in Egypt, India, Thailand, Nepal and Tanzania. Alex never hesitates to give her time freely to help with promoting and supporting our events as well as the goals of Animal Aid Abroad.”
Janet Thomas – Animal Aid Abroad 

“Alex provides us with a pro bono service of professional animal photography that we are able to use to promote the work of our organisation. She has been assisting us with this for over ten years. Her stock photography of Kanyana animals is  invaluable and Alex takes care of all costs and editing fees, and provides fully edited, ready to use images.  We then use these images on our merchandise range, which has lead to successful profits from calendars, greeting cards and postcards.  Kanyana could not hope to find a more obliging partner than Alex from Houndstooth Studio. We know we have a hidden gem who works with us.”
Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Manager

“Houndstooth Studio has consistently provided us with excellent images that greatly enhance the look and feel of Dogs Life magazine.”
Tim Falk – Writer, Dogs Life Magazine

"Alex has two divine-given, extraordinary gifts.  She communicates with animals in a way they enjoy and, she has the unique ability to capture their essence in an image. She is a true artist – able to collect a lifetime of personality in one portrait.  Her gifts to me have been immeasurable.  By encapsulating joy in a tangible item, her portraits transport me to the times I was engulfed by an all-encompassing love from my beloved dogs when they were living.  They make me smile every day. I also know Alex from her work capturing the sad, downtrodden, broken animals in our world – the homeless and helpless.  She photographs everything from Asiatic bears to camels, to give them a voice and the charities working to help them, a hand. Alex is a force for good, a gift to humanity, and a heroine for animals."
Jennifer Skiff - Author,  'The Divinity of Dogs', 'God Stories', 'Rescuing Ladybugs: Inspirational Moments with Animals that Changed the World'

"As an established author, I need to have a new publicity photo taken every few years. I wanted to go beyond the conventional style of author photo, and was delighted to discover Alex's work. Alex has created my last two sets of author photos, complete with some of the rescue dogs who are such a big part of my life. The pictures are full of character, and capture the bond between me and my animals beautifully. I recommend her services highly."
Juliet Marillier - Award-winning historical fantasy novelist   

“I admire her skill of capturing dogs looking so calm – I don’t know how she does it. She’s going from strength to strength.”
Peter Alexander – The Pajama King and CEO Just Group Global

“I love Houndstooth Studio pics. [Our daughter] Ruby’s favourite book is ‘Joy’ by Alex. She loves it so much we had to buy it twice.”
Rove McManus – Media Personality

“Each animal has a story, and I love that the photos captures the joyful spirits of every one of them.”
Victoria Stilwell – Celebrity Dog Behavouralist , “It’s me or the dog” TV show, Author

"FIVE STARS! Fringe Review: Alex Cearns – From Law Maker to Image Maker is the intriguing story of how Alex Cearns swapped her police badge for a social justice of a different kind - the animal kind that is, giving a voice to those most vulnerable within our society and giving them a public profile for humans to sit up and pay attention to. Through her photos, many animal rescue organisations worldwide have benefited from Alex’s incredible images. It is very apparent as soon as Alex starts talking that this is going to be one of those moments in your life where you will take away so much information and a completely different way of looking at things, or like Mr 12 you may just come away with a new role model who you one day aspire to have a career just like. (Be warned you will want to quit your day job and play with animals after seeing this show).

Alex is a fantastic public speaker and has the audience captivated from start to finish. The show is both comical and informative, however, most of all it is captivating with so many gorgeous images to look at and stories to hear. For those interested in photography, it is a treasure trove of inspiration and tips on how to capture that split second shot and if you aren’t an avid photo taker it will inspire you to be one whilst you appreciate the effort gone in to capturing such images.

If the show makes you consider a rescue animal the next time you are looking for a pet or educates you about the fantastic work native animal rescue organisations like Fauna Rescue and international organisations such as Free the Bears do, then it has achieved something very important. Rescue animals aside, you get to see some of the many dogs that Alex gets to photograph in her studio as part of her business, Houndstooth Studio, and the photo that started it all. I cannot speak highly enough of this show and urge everyone to stay for the Q&A that takes place after the interval as Alex answers candidly all the questions asked of her and it is like getting two shows for the price of one. Hearing a story this good is a privilege and it certainly takes the Fringe out on a high note."
Tara Forbes-Godfrey - Glam Adelaide. Show produced by Epod Central Presents https://glamadelaide.com.au/fringe-review-alex-cearns-from-law-maker-to-image-maker/

"FIVE STARS! FIVE STARS! Fringe Review: Alex Cearns - From Law Maker to Image Maker. Alex Cearns OAM is a singularly talented photographer, known for her pet, animal, and wildlife photography. Founder of Houndstooth Studio, a dedicated and well-appointed studio for animal photography, Alex Cearns stays very busy photographing roughly 1300 animals per year, both in the studio and on location, often in the wild. A breakthrough snap of blue clams in a breeding facility on the Cocos Keeling Islands in 2008 being featured in two art galleries led to wider recognition and a growing realisation that her passion for animal photography could become her life. She walked away from her career that began in the WA Police Force and moved into the Federal Government as a Senior Transport Security Inspector, sacrificing job security, superannuation and steady income for the great unknown of freelance photography. Her weekend obsession evolved into a life celebrating the lives of animals in digital imagery.

In a roundabout way, she has achieved her journalistic ambition as a 17-year-old, but the career evolution spanned a couple of decades and a long learning curve, before her vision of animal welfare coalesced with her conscious acts behind the lens to realise the dream job and bring joy to animal lovers everywhere, beginning with her 120,000 Facebook followers. She has made the world a better place through philanthropic works. Her skill and patience to wait for the right moment to hit the shutter button has raised many thousands of dollars for animal welfare, both in the wild and in recovery from inhumane treatment. Her candid animal snaps tell stories in images. She came to Adelaide to deliver two Fringe shows at the National Wine Centre's Gallery Room on March 16 and 17. She is a genuine animal lover who patiently seeks the truth in every shot she takes. Her mission is to celebrate our animal kingdom, both domesticated and in the wild, by capturing images of them being themselves. Her show took the form of an extended PowerPoint presentation that featured many of her more celebrated snaps. She spoke to each slide in an unaffected, natural manner, not unlike an old-fashioned slide night. Each image was accompanied by entertaining anecdotes. There was a close-up of a mature-age male orangutan, for all the world grinning into the camera.

Cearns revealed to us that the primate's apparent glee was genuine. Behind her back, another orangutan had a handful of its own poo to throw at Cearns and her companions, who were saved by the keeper's vigilance and sharp order to 'drop it.' There were tales of elephants and tigers, Emperor Penguins in Antarctica, a feral pig namesake, whom she tamed with a good belly rub and more. Alex Cearns has authored or co-authored six books and has made it her business through Perfect Imperfection to raise awareness of abused animals through her images of dogs missing eyes, legs or other bodily parts. The beautifully captured pup with the permanent wink is missing an eye, but all intents grinning without a care in the world can hardly fail to inspire. When asked how she would like to be remembered, she referred at once to her images (over four million on file) that will live on, when she is gone, allied to an enhanced public acceptance of animal welfare. Well played, Alex. Five stars out of five, for sheer substance of story over superficiality."
Jon Cocks - Weekend Notes Adelaide
https://www.weekendnotes.com/alex-cearns-from-law-maker-to-image-maker-adelaide-fringe/170096/

“Passionate. Engaging. Inspiring. Motivating. Entertaining. Encouraging. That's Alex as a speaker to a tee. Alex is one of my all time favourite photography presenters and she has been an integral part of the many photography talks that I have organised for the Snap Happy Photography Group. Whether she's speaking about her photographic journey, or entertaining and inspiring her audiences with stories about her pet and wildlife photography experiences, or sharing her business acumen, Alex always connects with her audience and keeps them hanging on her every word. And why wouldn't you when her talks are presented with such humour, warmth and charisma, all wrapped up in a truly professional bundle of words and personality. And, best of all, Alex always has time for other photographers, whether enthusiasts or professionals, and is always willing to share, help, advice and encourage and who is so supportive of the local photographic community.

Alex is truly a photography hero in my books!”
Seng Mah - Venture Photography Workshops & Tours and founder of Snap Happy WA Photo Group, Co-Founder Fremantle Centre for Creative Photography

"Alex was our Guest Speaker at the Master Builders-Bankwest End of Year Women’s Luncheon in November 2017 and made the event a great success. Our attendees thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and although the guests loved the abundance of cute animal photos and great humor, it was much more than just that. It was great to hear her story on how she got to where she is today, what tips you have for others, and the importance to giving back. Alex was dynamic, engaging and interactive and an absolute delight to work with. I highly recommend her as a speaker!"
Monique Milne - Events Manager, Master Builders WA

"Presenter Power. I’ve often spoken to audiences about the Power of the Image; how a single image can change a life, a community, even an election result. As important as the 'Power of the Image' is the 'Power of the Presenter'. A common error made by event organisers is to select a speaker based on their skill or achievements as a sportsperson, engineer or artist, only to discover that the person has little skill as a communicator. A yawn becomes a silent shout. I’ve just experienced Alex Cearns as a presenter for the first time. I was familiar with Alex’s superb animal photography and her many awards. But I had no idea how she would perform as a presenter.

To my absolute delight I discovered Alex is a natural; her presentation was equally as powerful as her goose-bump, animal images. This, I thought was a rare combination. What I noticed first is that Alex is 100% genuine. What you see is what you get. Alex is not pretending to be someone she is not. What a reassuring trait. Immediately there develops an element of trust. Alex’s presentation graphics were clear, simple, bold with a professional flair. She follow the simple principle of ‘Don’t put more words on a  slide than you would put on a T shirt.’ Her delivery was illustrated with real life stories which heightened interest and belief that I was listening to a real live human being who had jumped a hundred hurdles and had learned from her mistakes. 

Alex was superbly prepared but she did not read from a prepared script. She knows her stuff. She knows her audience. Her voice is strong, but with a warmth and mellowness like a good shiraz. This was the acid test. During Alex’s presentation I allowed my gaze to pan across the audience in the darkened theatre. Every face was fixed intently on the speaker, engaged and waiting for the next phrase."
Dale Neill - Professional Photographer, Co-Founder Fremantle Centre for Creative Photography, Lecturer in Communication Media at Technical Teacher Training in WA training new para-professional TAFE lecturers (1976-1980)

“In 2014 I was planning ‘Voices For Animals’ a major fundraising evening to raise funds for my rescue organisation, Brightside Farm Sanctuary. I wanted to put together a group of talented presenters, all with high profiles in different areas of the animal welfare arena.

Alex had photographed at Brightside on several occasions and I loved her work – she was a perfect fit to complement the impressive speakers line up of Lyn White from Animals Australia, Philip Wollen from Kindness Trust, and Bob Brown from the Bob Brown Foundation and Sea Shepherd. Alex opened the evening to a packed house of 450 guests, and spoke on the ways animals bring us joy. Her presentation was uplifting, warm and inspirational and set a wonderful tone for the evening. She spoke from the heart and the crowd hung off her every word. The event was a great success and I wouldn’t hesitate to approach Alex in the future for other speaking ventures.”
Emma Haswell – Brightside Farm Sanctuary

“I first met Alex when I purchased a voucher she’d donated to a charity event and she brilliantly photographed my unphotographable dog – but that’s another story. Over the years I have seen Alex speak at various animal welfare fundraisers and at her own book launches. Each time she would reduce me to tears with her stories and the way she was able to capture the essence of her subject through her images. She was always engaging and inspirational. Alex has a long history supporting the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) in Bali and I sit on the board of sister organization, BAWA WA and am passionate about improving the welfare of animals in Bali.

When we were planning our inaugural fundraiser ‘Bali Nights Perth’ we realised we needed an MC and presenter who understood our work and who’d draw a crowd. Someone who was professional, personable and connected to animals. There was one person who immediately came to mind – Alex. I nervously asked if she would like the job and she agreed immediately. 

Bali Nights Perth was held in October 2017 and Alex delivered our key messages and hit the audience in their hearts with her personal anecdotes about two Bali dogs. Many people had tears in their eyes as she spoke with such love for ‘Blacky’ and ‘Bali Pip’ yet she ensured she gave us all hope for the future and educated on how we could play a part in BAWAs continued success. She also donated a framed and signed ‘Bali Pip’ artwork which sold for a record price in our live auction. We had an amazing event and I know without the input from Alex we would never have raised the money we did. I also know that in the weeks and months to come people will still be talking about ‘Bali Nights Perth – an evening with Alex Cearns’. I would ask Alex to speak at one of our events again without hesitation.”
Pam Herron – Bali Animal Welfare Association WA

"What an absolute pleasure it was to have Alex Cearns present at the 2017 Events Industry Association (EIA), Ladies Wisdom Wine and Waffle Lunch, held at Kings Park State Reception Centre. Alex’s inspiring, uplifting and positive attitude to life, her dedication to the protection of all animals large and small and her passion for photography bought a new energy and positive outlook to all that attended. 

Alex shared her remarkable animal experiences whilst on photography tours and through her lenses in her studio. We heard the heartfelt message of commitment to rescuing bears still held in captivity, the journey of animals in rescue centres finding their forever homes, and hearing the fun and adorable tales and love shared with the many animals she has photographed had the guests in hilarious laughter. Alex’s exceptional photography skills and commitment to philanthropy has been recognised by the number of awards and accolades she has received world wide, and we will be forever grateful to have shared this time with her."
Janet Spellissy - Event Industry Association WA

"Alex is a truly inspirational public speaker and has captivated audiences across Australia with stories from her time spent at our bear sanctuaries in Southeast Asia and India. Her ability to convey the impacts of the illegal wildlife trade whilst capturing the individuality of each rescued bear connects with listeners in a way that touches them emotionally, spiritually and cognitively. She is a truly unique woman who shows just what can be done when a little bit of passion is mixed with a lot of energy and dash of ingenuity."
Matt Hunt - CEO Free The Bears

"A wonderful book. Absolutely divine photography of these majestic, intelligent and lovable dogs. We have a greyhound as part of our family and she is so adored by us."
LMC of Sydney - On 'For the love of Greyhounds'

"A lovely book for lovers of greyhounds. Lots of pictures and stories about adopted greys and their families."
GT from Melbourne - On 'For the love of Greyhounds'

"A collection of gorgeous dogs who are "abnormal" in one way or another. Overall this is both uplifting and heartbreaking. It gives us insight into the essence of resilience present in dogs, and their happy-go-lucky attitude to what life throws at them. But it also makes you incredibly aware of the things that can befall your best friends, and just how many dogs lose limbs and eyes. Gorgeous photos and touching stories."
Figgy - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"This is a book for dog lovers but will be enjoyed by multiple audiences. The photography is absolutely amazing and the accompanying stories are heart warming and engaging, relating to the experiences many of the readers have endured. Really worth reading and sharing."
Clarissa - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"Exquisite! All I can say is buy this book! It's adorable."
Elizabeth - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"I bought this book for my daughter who is a huge lover of all animals, especially dogs. She reads it over and over again and takes it with her when she goes to school. Her and her friends have all chosen their favourite dogs in the book and are always re-reading the stories of courage and resilience. The stories are beautiful and the pictures are stunning. Such a fabulous book!"
Michelle - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"Brilliant photography, Beautiful animals with their own unique story. An animal lovers "must have" book. I brought copies for family members young and old. All have said how much they loved 'Perfect Imperfection'."
Lorraine - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"This book is so beautiful. I bought it for a gift and ended up buying more, for myself and for gifts. The images are amazing, I don't know how the author manages to capture the personality of the animals so well! Perfect gift for all the animal lovers in your life."
Kirsty - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"I loved it and my grandchildren loved it."
Yona - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"A wonderful book about dogs and their humans and how they make the most out of life. It shows how dogs live in the moment and how their humans have done everything in their power to enable this. Beautiful and heartfelt! A must for animal lovers!"
Clare - On 'Perfect Imperfection'

"Totally caught me off guard. I teared up through the entire book and went through a box of tissues. Most powerful, emotional book I have ever read."
Dog Mom in Colorado - On 'Perfect Imperfection' 

"The perfect gift for yourself or anyone who loves dogs."
Liz - On 'Perfect Imperfection' 

"Love this book. Sweet stories. Inspirational dogs."
Bec - On 'Perfect Imperfection' 

"There really is so much beauty in the less than perfect, more I think as Alex's photos show. I believe that the secret to making great art is to see the beauty in nature. Alex takes us there in such a subtle and thoughtful way. I thought this would be a good book to share with children and those with special needs to show them that beauty comes from within and radiates through your personality. These gorgeous pups have that in spades. A perfect accompaniment to 'Zen Dogs'."
Vixen - On 'Perfect Imperfection' 

"This book will delight! Adorable, sweet, beautiful gift book. Zen Dogs has something for everyone and leaves you feeling calm and happy. Alex clearly has a gift in working with dogs and capturing them at their most relaxed. The powerful quotes added throughout add to the 'zen' feel and the appendixes at the rear of the dogs with their eyes open is an additional delight. Nothing has been overlooked, from the dogs name and breed details, to a secret cover under the dust jacket. Even the print quality is exceptional. This is a lovely compendium of breeds, mixed breeds and rescued dogs and would make a fantastic present for self or a friend - of both! Perfect for the holidays and a purchase you won't regret."
Michelle - On  'Zen Dogs'

"This is a beautiful photographic work of Dogs in their 'Zen' moment!! Accompanied by quotes from famous people, it is a book for everyone to enjoy. Had a stressful day? Take time, sit and read this book. It's guaranteed to ease the mind. The third photographic book produced by "The International Professional Pet Photographer of the Year" Alex Cearns of Houndstooth Studio is a must have. It will make a wonderful gift for so many people!"
Lorraine - On 'Zen Dogs'

This is Alex Cearns third book (I know because I have them all now) and it doesn't disappoint. 'Zen Dogs' is a novel idea - a capturing of a split second in time that reminds us to pause, breathe, inhale the good, exhale the bad, and always remember to look to our canine companions for example. It's a lovely keeper, and a lovely gift ... and Alex should always be encouraged to produce more fabulous work."
Cheryl - On 'Zen Dogs'

This book is adorable, and a MUST for any dog lover!
Janie - On 'Zen Dogs'

"Such a fun book. The photographs are fantastic. Catching the 'eyes closed' instant is masterful. My adult son thought it wasn't such a hard thing, until he tried to capture our Fox Terrier in her zen state. The photographs of the same dogs with their eyes open is a great addition to the enjoyment of this book. Alex Cearns is clever, and clearly a nice lady."
Kipling - On 'Zen Dogs'

"Gorgeous photography with adorable and uplifting images. Makes you smile. 'Zen Dogs' should be a part of everyone's life. A terrific, patient and visionary photographer. Go Alex."
Janine - On 'Zen Dogs'

"This serene compilation of canine calm is perfect company for a quiet afternoon or an ideal gift for anyone who loves dogs. The photography throughout is sublime and there's a sweet surprise at the end that completes the collection. Highly recommended for the holiday season! I bought my first copy for a friend, but I couldn't part with it. Now I've ended up buying four more as gifts!"
Elizabeth - On 'Zen Dogs'

"As with all of Alex Cearns' books this is simply amazing. Alex not only captures the exterior beauty of dogs in this, her latest masterpiece, but also their heart and soul. This book is a must! In this book you can see why Alex is on an international trajectory as one of the world's leading pet photographers."
Todd - On 'Zen Dogs'

"What can I say, other than another incredible book by Alex Cearns. Alex captures the quintessence of these beautiful sightless dogs through her unique way of photographing animals. Her love of her work and subjects shine through immeasurably with each and every image. If you love animals then I suggest buy this beautiful book. Actually buy several and present them to your friends. I'm sure they will love it as much as I do."
Karen - On 'Zen Dogs'

“Animal lovers will know dogs are spontaneous, carefree, and give everything 110 percent, even during their periods of relaxation. This series of images is a gentle and positive reminder to stop and take a break, to relax and unwind, to be fully present in each and every experience, and to breathe it all in.”
Bored Panda – On ‘Zen Dogs’

“In her new photo series ‘Zen Dogs,’ Australian photographer Alex Cearns captures normally lively and fun-loving dogs in the midst of their relaxation time. Seeing the look of pure, serene repose on the faces of these pups will inspire you to take a little time out of your day to reflect and recharge.”
One Green Planet – On ‘Zen Dogs’

“Just like her other books, Alex Cearns is able to capture some of the most incredible dog photos I have ever seen. I can’t rave about her work enough. Zen Dogs is a glorious look into the world of some beautiful dogs. This book will make you laugh and cry and give you a moment to breathe and remember the beauty, unconditional love and wonderful ‘can do’ belief system our dog friends have. Buy this book for all your friends this holiday season, not only will you be giving them a magnificent book filled with love but you will be supporting one of the worlds greatest dog (and animal) advocates.”
Mardi – On ‘Zen Dogs’

“This book is amazing! Photos of dogs which really connect with their gentle spirit. Alex Cearns is so talented, I have all her books. I often give them as gifts for the animal lovers in my life, people always get pleasure out of her work.”
Kirsty – on ‘Zen Dogs’

“Great for use at school where my wife is an elementary school counselor!”
George – On ‘Zen Dogs’

"One of the best photography books available. I have one of each of Alex's books and look through them often. Nothing better than a hot brew and this book to make feel a little better about the day or to just Zen out with a bunch of beautiful beings. Thank you Alex."
Colleen - On 'Zen Dogs'

"Such amazing pictures sharing the personalities of beautiful dogs. It will bring a smile and chuckle to you, and reminds you of your faithful furkids moments. Alex is such a talented photographer who captures the funny moments. This is a fantastic gift for dog lovers."
Ilona - On 'Zen Dogs'

“Accompanied by a brief commentary about the choice of photos and some of the stories associated with various animals, this is primarily a book of photographs of some of the most amazing and delightful characteristics of animals. The author Alex Cearns has focused on themes—including “Joy in their innocence”, “Joy in their uniqueness”, “Joy in their soulful eyes’ and, in the last section, ‘Joy in helping rescue’ in which Cearns encourages support for damaged, lost or unwanted animals. The photography is of course superb, and it is possible to look time after time at the photos, and see something new each time. I have categorised this book as adult non-fiction, but really, it will be a delight to share it with children from as young as about 3 years old as well.”
Janet of Janet Croft Book Reviews – On ‘Joy – A celebration of the animal kingdom’

“A beautiful book full of amazing photos of animals of every kind. You just can’t help but feel happy when you look at these pictures. It’s also wonderful to see a few Tasmanian groups listed in the back along with other organisations that are benefiting from the sale of this book. We’re usually overlooked, so to see that our animal groups are getting some help and recognition is fabulous!”
Jay – On ‘Joy – A celebration of the animal kingdom‘

“Another wonderful coffee table book.”
Fred – On ‘Mother Knows Best – Life lessons from the animal world’

“I can’t say enough positive things about Alex’s teaching style. From the moment I arrived I was met with friendly energy and it only went upwards from there. Alex you have a way of teaching that I truly respond to. Usually info for me goes in one ear and out the other but somehow, don’t ask me how, you made it stop somewhere in the middle and it didn’t escape. I’ve retained everything I learnt and will only go forward from now on. The day was brilliant, informative, fun, exciting, educational and just plain fantastic. Being taught by one of the best is just magical and I feel extremely honoured to have been given that chance. Thank you for this opportunity, your encouragement, your energy, for sharing your knowledge, for offering so much patience and advice. You are an inspiring human being and that starts before your photography begins. Its also your willingness to give to so many charities. Only days before the course I randomly won a raffle and the prize was something you had generously donated to Sea Shepherd. I can only hope to grow to a level even in the farthest vicinity of you and not just in skill but also in generosity and kindness so I can use my talents and learnt skills for the better – the greater good and for the animals that have no voice. Thank you!
Kylie

“This was a great refresher course for me. Alex’s energy is infectious and she is a wonderful presenter. I loved her explanations about how to get the shot and the examples were excellent. Thank you.”
Fran 

“Alex’s way of explaining photography is fantastic and I would recommend her to anyone needing inspiration and confidence with their photography. Alex is a great teacher – down to earth and easy to understand. I have attended several photography courses in the past and left feeling confused about the technical details. I’ve already put into practice the things I’ve learnt, with great results!”
Joanna 

“Somehow Alex is able to explain and demonstrate how to use and control your camera much better than any other photography training I’ve attended before. I have learnt so much and it was taught so simply I know I’ll remember it.”
Liz 

“I had some real “Aha!” moments thanks to Alex.”
Anne 

“What a joy! Alex’s teaching exceeded all my expectations! I finally understand aperture. Finally! Thank you so much.”
Mel 

“Fantastic tuition. Thank you. It’s hard to single out a favourite part, as I loved it all. I think the shift in my understanding about the technical side of things was a huge help for me. I can’t wait to get out there to put everything into practice.”
Steph

“Excellent value – worth more than the price!”
Todd