CAPTURING the best side of other people’s pets is just another day at the office for North Perth photographer Alex Cearns.
Her business Houndstooth Studio was recently named a finalist in the Telstra Business Awards.
Ms Cearns said she and her business partner Debora Brown were “thrilled” to be vying for two categories – Micro Business Award and the People's Choice Award.
“Telstra Business Awards are highly competitive and Houndstooth Studio is a young business,” Ms Cearns said.
“We work very hard for our success and feel proud to be recognised and included in these prestigious awards.”
She said she had loved animals and photography her whole life, but was encouraged to start the business after winning a major photography competition in 2008.
“I was approached by a gallery to show my work, and many friends and acquaintances began requesting I photograph their pets,” she said.
“The bookings kept growing and I won several major pet industry awards including Australia’s Best Dog Photographer/Artist in 2011.
“It became evident that I could earn a living doing what I feel most passionate about.”
She said their small photographic studio was perfect for pets and the business had flourished over the past couple of years.
“It’s so much fun. I love their beauty and honesty and I love the interaction,” she said.
“You have to genuinely love animals to work with them like this because they see right through people who don’t.
“I’ve worked with many timid and nervous rescue pets. Gaining their trust is very rewarding and I thoroughly enjoy seeing the results.”
She said she especially loved working with puppies and kittens.
“Their pure joy for life and play is adorable,” she said.
“Given they all grow up so quickly, it’s a real treat to capture them in their baby phase.”
They also work extensively with more than 40 state, national and international animal charities and do off-site shoots – some overseas.
Earlier this year, they photographed more than 50 rescued street dogs, cats and other species including rabbits, piglets, ducks, lizards, turtles, snakes, roosters, ducks and monkeys for a ‘Look Twice’ exhibition and fundraiser for the Bali Animal Welfare Association.