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(Listen to my actual voice read this post to you. If you enjoy it, leave a comment and perhaps I’ll make it a regular thing.)For over 3 decades I’ve been a working pro, it’s kinda mental when I think about it.I’ve been coaching photographers the entire time, after I dropped out of photography school, I got a studio and started working. In my third year of business I was invited back to the university I dropped out of, to lecture to the next generation of pro photographers.I’ve always helped my assistants transition to working pros, it usually takes about 2 years.Over the lockdown when work really slowed down, I started building this YouTube channel by helping new photographers with my content and photo reviews.Last year after my channel started getting traction, I was asked if I did online coaching. I took on a few viewers and helped them build their businesses.I believe strongly in coaching. I have 3 coaches myself.A Business Coach, a Creative Coach and a Marketing Coach.This past winter during one of our winter retreats, I shared my brilliant idea about building out my coaching program.My marketing coach had one very valid question.How do you help photographers make a living with their cameras? How do you actually do it?He kinda stumped me there. I’d never really mapped out how I help these emerging and struggling photographers, I just did and it just worked.That weekend really forced me to go back to the drawing board and map out the way that I develop photographers for the first time.That week of mapping out my process is really how this entire thing came together.I’ve refined my coaching approach and developed what I now call the Carty Method, a structured system designed to help emerging and struggling photographers transition into high-demand professionals.If that sounds like something you’re interested in, let’s get into how you can turn your love for photography into a thriving career, following the six phases of the Carty Method.A Life Behind the Camera is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Phase 1: Your Work and a Market for That WorkWhen I began, I focused on honing my skills and finding my unique style in photography. I knew I wanted to be a fashion shooter. It’s crucial to identify what kind of work you love to make, but more importantly, who might need that work. Explore various niches—whether it’s portrait, wedding, commercial, or product photography—and understand where there’s a demand within your market. This phase is about mastering your craft and recognizing the market that values your style and expertise.Phase 2: The PackagingBack in the early days, I didn’t have the luxury of digital portfolios or social media. I’m old. When I started, there was no internet. But today, there are powerful tools at your disposal. Your portfolio, website, social media presence, and your personal branding are all part of your packaging. You are the most important part of your package. All of this together tells your story and showcases your work to potential clients. Make sure your portfolio highlights your best work, your website is professional and user-friendly, your social media reflects your brand’s voice and vision and you care about yourself enough to be presentable to any potential clients. That includes perhaps shopping for yourself more then once every 5yrs. If your website and work is great but you don’t look the part or are presentable to clients, you’re not going to get work.Phase 3: Creating a Value-Based Photography BusinessOne of the most critical lessons I learned was to understand the value of my work. This phase involves creating a business model that reflects the worth of your services. You really do need to understand industry standards when it comes to pricing like charging by the project and never by the hour. It’s important to Establish your pricing strategy, if you’re stuck you can download my free pricing guide in the video description. Clearly define your services, and ensure you are delivering value that meets or exceeds client expectations. It’s not just about the pictures you make, but the experience you provide and the problems you solve for your clients. And set up your business and run it like a business. Create a corporation or an LLC and get an accountant so you’re not leaving money on the table or paying extra taxes because you’re a sole proprietor.Phase 4: Developing Systems for EverythingAs my business grew, I realized the importance of having systems in place for every aspect of my work. There’s a reason that McDs and Starbucks and Apple are such massive companies.Systems. You get the same vanilla half cafe latte in Switzerland as you do in Toronto. The same Big Mac in Salt Lake City that you get in Manchester.From client acquisition and communication to project management and financial tracking, developing efficient systems can save you time and reduce stress. Use tools and software to streamline your workflow, automate repetitive tasks, and keep your business organized and professional. I’ve built amazing systems. And digital tools to keep me organized and make me more money. I just put them out there and make them available to everyone.Phase 5: Outward Reach (Hunting for Clients)Speaking of putting yourself out there, my entire career I’ve had social anxiety and putting myself out there has always made me spiral into, “no one cares, you’ll never work again, your work is shit” spirals which always stopped me dead from doing outward reach. Putting myself out there and finding clients was always one of my biggest challenges.I had to conquer that fear, it came from taking a few workshops and doing a lot of soul searching. Now, i know clearly how to do it and I’ve proved it to myself and others, with the right strategies, outward can become one of your strengths.It’s a numbers game. So many super successful ceos send hundreds of emails and dms per day.Hundreds.Are you sending hundreds? I wasn’t either.Networking, attending industry events, leveraging social media, and using online platforms can all help you reach potential clients. Research and contact hundreds of potential clients. They need you but they don’t know about you yet. They won’t find your website. You have to Be proactive in your outreach—don’t wait for clients to come to you. Show them why they need your unique niched specialized skills and vision.Phase 6: Integrating All These Elements TogetherThe final phase is about bringing all these elements together into a cohesive, functioning business. Your skills, market knowledge, branding, value proposition, systems, and client outreach should all work in harmony. Continuously evaluate and adjust your strategies to ensure they remain effective and aligned with your goals.Making photography your career is a journey that requires dedication, strategy, and continuous learning. I’ve walked this path, succeeded, failed, succeed and failed again, this up and down struggle that freelancers often face is exhausting and I was tired of it.I worked for year with my coaches helping me fix my shit, and now I’m here to help you navigate yours.if you’re ready to take the next step in your photography career, you’re for sure in the right place.You may be tired of your 9-5 grind and ready to transition from an underperforming photographer to high-demand professional, that’s my gift. It’s what I obsess over. Let’s work together.Last thing.I'm looking for the right type of committed shooters with the right attitude that are ready to take their work and career to the next level in their career.If that's you, check out my Pro Accelerator. I'm helping 50 photographers change their reality this round. Make sure you're one of them.Thanks for reading me this week.P.S. If you’d like to chat, reply to this email or book a free consult. I get off on helping photographers move their needle.You’d be silly if you didn’t join my FREE Community. I have hundreds of photographers in there 24/7 just like you, chatting, sharing work and resources while I help them daily get to the next level with their careers. I’d love to hear that you heard about my community from Substack.Every week I give a tight brief for an assignment my viewers have 6 days to complete. I then do live a stream Thursday reviewing those assignments helping those that submit improve everything from composition to lighting and even improve their ideas. Every week I award Photos of the Week and an overall Best in Show.It’s mind blowing how quick these shooters improve with my eyes on their work. It’s becoming a proven part of my system. If you want to be a part of it, you can sign up here. Watch Thursday’s episode and see this weeks winners by clicking the thumbnail below. Get full access to The Carty Method - Substack at stevecarty.substack.com/subscribe