From crime analyst to animal photographer: How to turn your hobby into a career

ALEX Cearns staged the most drastic attempt at a career change since Monty Python's accountant decided to become a lion tamer. She turned her hobby into a paying job.

It would probably be fair to call this a change of scenery.

FOUR years ago, Alex Cearns was working in counterterrorism. Now she runs her own business as an animal photographer.

Somewhere in between those jobs, Alex staged the most drastic attempt at a career change since Monty Python's accountant tried to become a lion tamer.

She walked away from an established career and turned her hobby, photography, into a paying job.

Alex reckons anyone else can do the same thing, if they're passionate, focused and willing to work hard. She even has some tips for anyone considering a career change. You'll find them below.

It would probably be fair to call this a change of scenery.

Alex started working life in the police force, which she joined at the rather tender age of 19. She was the youngest officer in Western Australia for the next two years.

"When I was a child my favourite aunt, who I admired greatly, was a police officer in South Australia. She was an excellent storyteller and kept us enthralled with her adventures," Alex says.

"I think my attraction to joining the police service came from my desire to help people, the diversity of work and the camaraderie."

She served as a police officer for seven years, patrolling the suburbs and dealing with burglaries, assaults and robberies, among other crimes.

Then Alex became a crime analyst. It was her job to track patterns of criminal behaviour in homicide, extortion, armed robbery and child abuse cases.

"The role involved analysing and interpreting data from police reports, previous crimes and sources of information, and preparing detailed statistical and graphical reports to help detectives focus their investigations," she says.

With more than a decade of experience in the service, Ms Cearns decided to try something different.

Alex says she experienced some very positive things during her time in the police force, but she decided to leave after 14 years.

"It is a difficult job and the stress can be formidable," she says. "Every day, police officers see the abuses people inflict on each other and it can be emotionally and psychologically draining."

It was particularly difficult for Alex to deal with cases of child abuse.

"I felt that I was exposed to the darkest side of humanity in the Child Abuse Unit. Dealing with heinous crimes committed on vulnerable, innocent children was emotionally exhausting."

Alex remembers feeling as though she'd reached her limit while searching through the case files of dead children for data.

"I was deeply affected by some of the content and realised it was time to change my profession," she says. "I successfully applied for a new role in the federal government, where I worked for the next five years as a senior transport security inspector in airport counterterrorism."

Ms Cearns was "deeply affected" by cases of child abuse.

Counter-terrorism is still a long way from animal photography. So how did Alex's drastic career switch actually happen?

"It wasn't until 2007 that I became fascinated with the scope of photography," she says. "I happened to travel to Tasmania with a friend who was an SLR camera enthusiast. She let me borrow her camera and I was hooked immediately."

YOU CAN VISIT ALEX'S WEBSITE HERE

Alex returned home to Perth and bought a digital camera. She learned everything she could about photography from magazines, trial and error, and "endless practice".

Later that year, she travelled to the Cocos Islands and took an award-winning shot of some giant blue clams at a remote breeding facility. "Blue Clams" was exhibited across Australia. That success inspired Alex to consider a future in photography.

Taking aim ...

"Animal behaviour and body language are endlessly fascinating to me, so the natural focus of my lens became pets and wildlife," Alex says. "I converted a building at the end of my garden into a studio and started experimenting with studio lights on my friends' pets."

Before long, Alex's evenings and weekends were filled with demand for her studio pet portraits. She kept working full-time for several years, but by 2010 was putting about 100 hours per week into the two jobs.

"I loved it! I was having so much fun, and I could see the potential for a business that focused exclusively on animal portraiture," she says. "I left my full-time job in 2010 and changed my business name to Houndstooth Studio."

We have to admit, animals ARE cute.

Today, Alex's core business is studio pet photography, but she also works philanthropically with animal rescue organisations and travels around the world photographing wildlife. She's already planned trips to Tanzania in June and India in October.

"Philanthropy is an integral part of my business," she says. "I am continually inspired by the courageous, selfless people I meet."

READ MORE ABOUT ALEX'S AWESOME PHILANTHROPY HERE

Alex couldn't be happier with the way her career switch has turned out, and she clearly believes other people can accomplish the same thing.

"I work harder now than I ever have in the past, but I'm also more happy and creative than I've ever been. My greatest satisfaction is knowing that every decision I make and everything I work for is aligned with my values," she says.

"I encourage anyone to follow their dream. The rewards are great, and I'm not talking just about financial rewards. The work I do has brought amazing people and friendships that provide continual stimulation and motivation."

Alex with some rather adorable kangaroos.

Granted, turning a hobby into a paying career is a daunting task. But Alex has some tips for anyone who would like to try.

1. START SMALL

"I think it is a good idea to start your new venture as a hobby or part-time, to give yourself room to iron out any potential problems and to learn as you go."

2. HAVE A PLAN

"I took leaps of faith, but they were carefully calculated. Plan clearly, set your goals and get used to working to a budget. Have a fall back plan just in case."

3. WORK HARD

"When you work for yourself, what you put in, you get out. You need to be well organised and prepared to work long hours."

4. GET SUPPORT

"I think it's critical to align yourself with good people who want you to succeed. Perhaps join a relevant association or business group so you feel supported and can learn from successful people in your field."

5. BE CONFIDENT

"Have faith in yourself and know everything is possible over time."

6. PICK THE RIGHT STAFF

"As your business grows, surround yourself with staff you know and trust and find a solid business mentor too."

Have you turned your hobby into a career? Tell us about it! @AlexCearns | @newscomauHQ

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