Cute quokkas make us smile

AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHER ALEX CEARNS SHARES SOME OF HER FAVOURITE SNAPS OF ‘THE HAPPIEST ANIMAL IN THE WORLD’ IN HER NEW BOOK, THE QUOKKA’S GUIDE TO HAPPINESS

LOOKING at cute photos of animals makes us feel happy. Not only is this lived knowledge that most innately understand, numerous studies have scientifically proven it as fact. And if there is one thing we could do with more of right now, it’s pure and good sources of happiness. Enter the humble and ridiculously cute quokka, aka the happiest animal in the world. These adorable nocturnal marsupials are set to star in awardwinning Australian photographer and OAM recipient Alex Cearns’ new book, The Quokka’s Guide To Happiness. Ahead of its December release, Cearns has exclusively shared with us some of her incredible photos to be included alongside uplifting quotes in the created-for-joy hardcover. Renowned for her ability to capture the inimitable personalities of each of her subjects – including animals from every continent of the globe – Cearns ventured into the quokka’s main habitat of Rottnest Island. “Quokkas are quintessentially Australian and such unique and quirky little creatures best known for being the happiest animals on Earth,” Cearns says. “I started photographing for this book in November last year and had to make several visits because Rottnest Island is a 25minute boat trip from Perth. “To sit with [quokkas] for four to six hours at a time and observe them, they are just the funniest creatures. “The rules of the island are people can’t approach them, they have to approach you. Some would see me and run at me like I was their long-lost cousin. They would spring jump with little hands outreached to grab leaves from branches. I’d turn around and one would be in my camera bag. They’re just so curious and into everything.” Flipping through the book, it is almost impossible not to smile, especially when mood-elevating quotes like Victor Hugo’s “The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved; loved for one’s own sake – let us say rather, loved in spite of oneself” are paired with a photo of two quokkas bumping noses. While Cearns’ photos primarily spread joy, much of her work includes a conservation aspect. “When I first bought a digital SLR camera in 2006, I assumed this would be a great opportunity to photograph everything but within eight weeks I realised animals were the natural focus of my lens,” the former police officer and crime analyst says. “I wish everyone saw animals as sentient beings. They have the same means and ability to live happy lives, and they deserve the same love and care we give to people. They each have their unique personality. I learned this most when I was photographing a grasshopper and a praying mantis and I could see after spending time studying them, they had their own personalities. “Through my work I am showing people how beautiful animals are and then I’m using those pictures to raise awareness of animal welfare groups to help educate people on the perils particular animals face.” Cearns estimates she photographs about 1000 dogs a year as creative director of Perthbased Houndstooth Studio but her portfolio of work extends far beyond this. With seven published titles from 2014’s Mother Knows Best and Joy: A Celebration of the Animal Kingdom to 2018’s Perfect Imperfection – Dog Portraits Of Resilience and Love and For the love Of Greyhounds – Adopted Greyhounds and Their Happy Ever Afters, Cearns has become renowned for her commitment to the wellbeing of all creatures. Cearns’ conservation focus has recently been on sharing the stories of rescued joeys through her documentary film Raising Joey that was a winning submission in the City of Vincent Filmmaking Project. “There’s a group of volunteers called Wildlife Care WA Inc who go around checking the pouches of injured kangaroos to help care for them and rehabilitate and raise their joeys. If these people weren’t out there checking pouches, these animals would die a slow and painful

I’d turn around and one would be in my camera bag. They’re just so curious and into everything. Alex Cearns

death. I see Australian animals as our community’s responsibility and these grassroots groups are using their own money to do jobs our governments should really be doing.”