290: Alex Cearns – How to build the countries most successful pet photography business

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area. Alex Cearns of www.houndstoothstudio.com.au is described as one of our greatest dog photographers in the world by Dogs Today Magazine in the UK. In this interview, Alex shares what it takes and how she's built one of the most successful pet photography businesses in the country and likely, the world. A former police officer, she is now the photographer and co-owner of Western Australia's, Houndstooth Studio. Alex photographs over 1000 domestic pets a year for clients and has consistently booked 20 + appointments per week for the last 8 years. Her studio has survived the GFC and competition in the market and she continues to be booked out several months in advance. In addition to her successful pet photography business, she works with over 40 different global animal charity organisations. With more than 250 awards to her name for photography, business and philanthropy – she has also authored 5 books, soon to be 6! Alex is an ambassador for Tamron’s Super Performance Series Lenses, BenQ, Spider Holster and Seagate, and takes like-minded animal people on global adventures with World Expeditions. All that and one of her main goals is to be interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show. Although not Ellen, I was rapt to have the chance to ask Alex the business, marketing, sales and advertising questions I did for this interview. I'm confident you will be as blown away by the business, the photography, the drive, the success and the generosity of this talented and driven photographer and businesswoman. Here’s some more of what we cover in the interview: What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest. If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. It doesn't matter how many accolades you're receiving and how amazing all these things are. If you don't look after your core customer clients, you don't have any of that. – Alex Cearns Plus special member-only interviews. You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group. You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Joining a Mastermind Group (encouraged by Andrew) has been incredibly valuable and fun, I look forward to connecting with my group members every week. Jina Zheng, Premium Member and Melbourne Children photographer. And that's not all… you get a set of steak knives… I'm kidding! Seriously though, that's not all. In addition to everything above, you'll get access to and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business. What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Alex shared...