About

My Methodology

"The future photographer isn't just a photographer at all. They have mastered the evergreen skills to bridge the gap to becoming a content creator. An idea generator. A storyteller, A specialist in idea execution. One that brings value to every table they attend."

What is The Carty Method?

The Carty Method is my proven, six-phase system designed to take emerging photographers from where they are right now to becoming high-value, working professionals.

Whether you feel stuck creatively, struggle to earn a living with your camera, or want to scale your photography business, this roadmap guides you step-by-step—from laying a solid foundation to building a sustainable, high-value career.

Free Content on YouTube and Substack
I believe in giving value first. My YouTube channel and Substack newsletter are packed with free content that goes beyond basic “how-to” videos. I focus on the mindset, professional systems, and proven business practices necessary to make a business that can bring value so it can stand the test of time. On YouTube, I share in-depth tutorials, portfolio reviews, live photo challenges, and real-world insights. On Substack, I provide deeper industry trends, exclusive calls to action for weekly photo challenges, and business advice you can apply immediately to your photography practice.

The 6 Phases of the Carty Method

I’ve systemized making a living with your camera into a proven, six-phase roadmap that turns uncertain hobbyists into confident, working pros. Each phase of The Carty Method ensures you know exactly what to focus on next—from building a polished portfolio and brand to actively marketing your services and sustaining a thriving creative business.

Phase 0: Setting Your Stage – You’ll define your goals, choose your niche, and set the foundation for the work ahead. And make sure you actually are ready for the journey that is being a full time pro. Without setting your stage, your future performance is a guaranteed fail.

Once you've completed Phase 0, I take you through my 6 phases in order.

Phase 1: Your Work and Market – I help you focus on building a body of work that resonates with a specific market and attracts the right clients.
Phase 2: Packaging – I help you fine-tune your portfolio, website, social media, and personal branding so you present yourself as a professional.
Phase 3: Value-Based Business – I help you create offers and packages that your ideal clients can’t refuse, ensuring you’re always delivering clear value.
Phase 4: The Systems – I help you create repeatable systems for client management, lead generation, and business operations, so you can work more efficiently.
Phase 5: Outward Reach – I help you proactively pursue clients using targeted reach-out strategies and proven marketing techniques.
Phase 6: Integration & Mastery – In this final phase, I help you integrate everything you’ve learned and build a cohesive, sustainable business that runs like a well-oiled machine.

Each phase builds on the last, making sure that by the end of this journey, you have a fully functioning business model designed to attract and retain high-value clients.

You can now download my phases (when they are available) and do them own your own with my new self paced courses. This is how I teach my Accelerator members to become full time pros and how I guide photographers that I coach one on one.

Portfolio Lab
The Portfolio Lab is where I help you master assignment photography by simulating real-world commercial scenarios. Each week, I provide new briefs—much like you’d see for magazines and agencies—to challenge your technical skills and creative vision. You’ll create high-value images that solve client problems, showcasing your ability to stand out in niches like editorial, environmental, and commercial photography.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, I host portfolio reviews on YouTube that help bridge the gap between personal work and professional assignments. These sessions focus on refining your website, sequencing your images, and presenting a cohesive body of work that attracts clients.

Inside The Carty Method, you’ll find my Portfolio Lab community where you can connect with me and photographers worldwide. We engage in weekly cohorts on zoom, collaborative work sessions that offer peer and mentor feedback. Which ensures you’re never going it alone.

Weekly photo assignments and Zoom calls are posted and submitted there. This is the heart of the Carty Method: a supportive space featuring active discussions and targeted advice to keep you moving forward.

Portfolio Lab is included for members of my Accelerator.

Digital Tools
I’ve spent decades refining systems to run a successful photography business, and I now share these through a growing suite of Notion templates and digital tools. From organizing shoots to tracking habits, these tools provide a clear roadmap for managing your workflow and measuring growth. You can find them under the “Tools” section at the top of my page. These are specialized digital tools that will have an immediate impact on your workflow and revenue:

Cold Outreach Masterpack – 18 proven email templates plus a cold outreach guide to help you land clients with confidence.
30 Day On-Camera Challenge – Daily on-camera practice to build confidence on video and strengthen your online presence.
Professional Creatives Habit Tracker – A Notion template to track and reinforce daily habits that support a thriving photography business.
Ultimate Photographers Call Sheet – An all-in-one resource for planning shoots, coordinating with clients, and managing logistics.

One-on-One Coaching
For photographers who need focused support, I offer personalized coaching sessions. If you’re ready to level up your portfolio, improve your business systems, or refine your brand positioning, these one-on-one calls allow me to dive deep into your unique challenges. I bring 34 years of professional experience into each session, offering a game plan to attract high-value clients, form lasting relationships, and create photography that commands premium rates.

How It All Works Together
At its core, the Carty Method integrates everything you need to succeed as a working photographer. The free content on YouTube and Substack lays a strong foundation, while weekly challenges and feedback in the Portfolio Lab keep you learning and improving. One-on-one coaching provides personalized guidance, and my six-phase system offers a proven structure for transitioning from hobbyist or part-timer into a high-value professional.

I’ve spent 34 years making pictures, developing client relationships, and running a sustainable photography business. The Carty Method distills everything I’ve learned into a system designed to help you do the same.

Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a free consultation with me today to discuss how I can help you move your photography career forward. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, I’ll share actionable steps tailored to your unique situation.

Looking for tools you can use immediately? Check out my digital tools—four essential resources to strengthen your workflow, build daily habits, and attract more clients.

If you’re ready to go all-in, get started with Phase 0 and sign up for Portfolio Lab. Phase 1 and 2 are coming soon and 3-6 in the coming weeks.

Let me be the one that helps you reach your photography career goals.

NICE TO MEET YOU

I'm Steve Carty

With over 34 years of professional photography experience, I specialize in editorial portraits, street style, and advertising.

My goal with all my content is to share actionable tasks that you can do daily to get to that next level in your professional photography journey.

The mastery part of this craft comes when you're turning your passion into profit.

I’ll show you how to make it in this highly competitive industry. I use what I’ve learned through coaching emerging pros just like you find career success.

FIND YOUR NICHE

Learn how to shoot the work you love that gets new work and will keep you working.

LEARN SYSTEMS

I'll teach you systems for every part of this photography business to maximize your income.

GET CLIENTS

Learn how to master passive selling and outward reach by bringing value. Sell value without having to sell you.

My Story

I picked up a camera at 14. I knew I wanted to be a professional photographer when I saw Vogue for the first time at age 17. I worked hard to become the first person in my family to go to post secondary education. After my first year of photography school, I dropped out, got a studio with my older brother and started working. I thought my future was a guaranteed success. 33yrs and 15 studios later, I can tell you there are no guarantees.

I've felt frustrated and helpless at many times during this journey, but I had worked too hard to let my dreams slip away. I dove into mindset shifts, financial literacy and better systems for my day to day and came up with a system that allowed me to eliminate debt, grow my business, and secure my future.

Now my career is thriving and I empower others on their journey to making an ethical living with their cameras and their creativity.

STEVECARTY.COM

Why I Do This

Growing up, the concept of financial literacy was foreign to me. My parents, despite their best efforts, often found themselves living paycheck to paycheck. Witnessing their struggles, I felt a calling to rise above these challenges. However, my photography journey was fraught with obstacles, and I found myself burdened by debt.

It was during this struggle that I discovered a deeper connection with my God-given talents as a creator. As photographers and content creators, we are not just capturing moments; we are participating in the act of creation itself, a divine process that reflects our unique abilities and perspectives. Embracing this gift, I learned early to harness my creativity not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a pathway to financial freedom.

But there was so much I didn't know.

I've been on this career path for decades and I realize the transformative power of my journey. it's always been clear to me that my experience held the potential to guide others. I began teaching emerging shooters in my 5th year of business.

I believe it is part of my divine mission to help fellow creators, especially those who lack the necessary tools and knowledge, to find their true calling through their creativity and their cameras. By doing so, they can not only fulfill their photography potential but also achieve financial stability.

In this spirit, I've dedicated myself to educating and empowering others in developing productive daily habits. It's more than just creating a better life for oneself; it's about uplifting businesses and clients, turning the divine gift of creativity into a sustainable livelihood. This journey of creative enlightenment is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the divine nature of our creative talents and their ability to transform lives.

30 MINUTE STRATEGY ZOOM CALL.

TALK TO ME.

I quickly assess your work, and your subject matter and your talent. Then discuss with you, where you think your work fits in the world of contemporary photography.

This Assessment, Inspiration, motivation and the actionable steps that come out of our first conversation is invaluable.

All with the goal to see where you are now, learn what you're struggling with to see if I'm the right fit to help.

LET'S TALK.