If you’ve been around The Carty Method for a while, you may already know Liza Heider.

If you’re newer to the community, this is a chance to get to know a photographer who has already had quite the journey.

Liza recently returned to TCM, and when I heard she was back, I wanted to find out what she’s been up to, how her photography has changed and, probably most importantly, why she decided to come back.

Her story actually starts long before The Carty Method.

Liza spent 15 years running a full-time wedding photography business in the Bay Area, California, but photography wasn’t always her full-time job. She also has a legal background and worked as a legal secretary.

Then a simple photography ad in a floral shop changed things.

A couple approached her to photograph their wedding.

The fee?

$500.

Within two years, she was shooting weddings while still working her regular job. Family portraits and headshots followed, and eventually she reached the point where photography could become the job.

“My last legal job was so stressful, I’ll never forget that exhilarating moment I gave notice to my boss.”

I think quite a few photographers can relate to that idea of building something on the side while wondering if or when you’ll actually be able to make the jump.

For Liza, she did.

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Ten Years Can Change a Lot

One thing I appreciated about Liza’s answers was that she didn’t pretend photography has always been an easy ride.

“My journey always has its ups and downs, but I have come to accept this as photography is a difficult industry to crack.”

Instead, understanding that difficulty has actually helped her stick with it.

“I think understanding the challenges enables me to keep going and to not get too discouraged.”

But there’s also something else she has figured out along the way.

She needs to shoot.

The more she practices and creates new work, the happier she is with both her photography and herself as a photographer.

When Liza compares what she’s producing today with what she was creating ten years ago, she sees a very different photographer.

A big part of that change came after meeting Carty.

Carty pushed her to choose a niche, and Liza chose people.

Headshots. Portraits. Editorial. Fashion.

Once she made that decision, she could put her energy into getting better at one thing rather than trying to photograph everything.

“I see myself as a better photographer and a happier photographer the more I work on my craft.”

She’s also beginning to see something else happening.

Her work is starting to feel like her work.

There’s more consistency and cohesiveness, and she feels she’s getting closer to developing her own recognizable style.

That’s a pretty exciting place for any photographer to reach.

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Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

Another big change has been lighting.

Liza spent much of her career primarily working with natural light and had relatively little studio experience.

So she decided to go all in.

She picked up a used Profoto lighting system and started practicing.

Nothing overly complicated. A simple lighting setup and lots of reps.

“I have such a long way to go, but I feel I am confident in how to handle strobes in studio.”

And I really like what she said next:

“Each session, I see subtle improvements in my work.”

That’s the work.

Not expecting one shoot, one workshop or one piece of equipment to suddenly change everything.

You do it.

Then you do it again.

And eventually those small improvements start adding up.

So Why Come Back?

This might have been my favourite answer from Liza.

It wasn’t about assignments.

It wasn’t about learning another lighting technique.

She missed the people.

“I’ve been missing the connections I made and how we communicate with one another.”

She talked about the way feedback happens inside TCM and how photographers at different stages can still communicate with kindness and respect.

But she also missed watching other photographers grow.

If you’ve spent any amount of time in this community, you know exactly what she means.

You can watch someone’s work one week, then another, then another, and suddenly six months later you’re looking at a completely different photographer.

Liza enjoys seeing that happen.

She also admitted that sometimes she needs that encouragement herself.

“I also like receiving encouragement when I need it, and TCM is a great place to receive it.”

I think that’s worth remembering.

Even experienced photographers need other photographers around them.

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Now It’s Time to Add Some Movement

So what’s next?

Interestingly, Liza already knows something she wants to change about her work.

“I see a stillness in my work.”

Rather than treating that as a negative, she’s looking at it as the next thing to explore.

She wants more movement in her portraits.

More motion.

More drama.

Another layer added to the style she’s already developing.

There are business goals too.

Liza wants to grow her headshot business in 2027 and eventually take on larger editorial and commercial assignments.

And then she mentioned one more thing that I think fits perfectly with her return to the community.

She enjoys mentoring photographers.

“Critiquing and helping aspiring photographers brings me joy.”

So Liza isn’t coming back simply looking for what she can take from the community.

She has something to give back too.

She’s been doing this for a long time. She’s run a photography business, photographed weddings for 15 years, changed niches, learned new lighting skills and experienced plenty of the ups and downs that come with trying to make a living with a camera.

And she’s still trying to get better.

That’s probably my favourite part of her story.

Welcome back, Liza. We can’t wait to see what you create next.

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

This week we’re doing things a little different.

We’re reaching into The Carty Method archives and revisiting an assignment that challenged our photographers to see their work differently: Your Niche in Black & White.

And the timing couldn’t be better.

With another Black & White assignment on the horizon, this gives us an opportunity to look back at how photographers in the community approached monochrome the last time around.

Let’s revisit what they learned along the way and how removing colour changed their approach.

Without colour, light, texture and composition take on even greater importance.

Ultimately, it challenges us to think differently about how we tell a story through a photograph.

Because black and white isn’t simply a colour image with the saturation removed.

When colour disappears, there is nowhere for the fundamentals to hide.

Light matters more.

Shadow matters more.

Texture matters more.

Composition matters more.

And therefore, intention matters more.

So before we see what the community creates next, let’s go back into the archives and revisit the images, ideas and lessons from Your Niche in Black & White.

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Necumba Booker

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

For me it was the focus on getting a good picture that was showing the light I was trying to depict

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

I chose my lighting prior to this assignment. I wanted the light sculpt around the face a specific way

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

My goal was to create a dramatic unique lighting to help myself understand light better.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

Nope.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

Just helped me see lighting and contrast a bit better.

Social Media Handles:

IG: bynecumba

Website: www.bynecumba.com

Kyle Kiyono

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

I wanted to see if I could mimic what I saw in Vogue. Black and white helped me focus on certain backgrounds that would be interesting with shadows and no colour.

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

There’s something about rooftops that fascinate me.

Maybe because I loved Spider-Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles growing up and they were on rooftops all the time.

For me, I felt like I was on a movie set. I remember seeing comics that were in black-and-white, so this felt natural in that sense.

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

Humans are wired for pattern recognition.

With that in mind, I wanted to make sure that my model was brunette and had black shoes wearing light toned clothes with a lighter background.

This would help make the darker things pop in contrast.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

I looked through Vogue and recalled a lot of rooftop scenes from comic books that were in black-and-white.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

I didn’t realize that my years of reading comic books had any value to my photography, but it helps with that cinematic feel.

And I think my style is unique now with this understanding.

I love this question because it enables me to create language for what I didn’t know I needed to hear.

Social Media Handles:

IG: KiyonoPhotography
Website: www.kiyonophotography.com

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William Sedgwick

IG: @will_sedgwick1

Denise Tuggle

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

The primary aspect of my niche that I wanted to highlight through black and white was simplicity.

Both the simplicity of the subject matter and the lighting were essential to the success of the photograph.

Simplicity is a core strength in product photography, as it allows the subject to communicate emotion without unnecessary distraction.

Removing color strengthens this focus by directing the viewer’s attention to texture, form, and the clean simplicity of the logo design, allowing the product to speak for itself.

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

I chose a two-light setup consisting of one primary light to serve as the highlight and a softbox to maintain even, smooth illumination.

The lighting power was carefully balanced to avoid overpowering the subject or causing overexposure.

This setup was essential because it created the dark shadows needed to add depth while preserving soft, controlled highlights.

The lighting also emphasized the black typography, which was a key visual element of the product.

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

The emotion I aimed to communicate was simplicity.

The minimal composition guides the viewer to appreciate the product’s clean packaging and straightforward design as a deliberate statement.

By removing color, the viewer’s focus is drawn entirely to the product, allowing it to become the central point of attention without distraction.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

I drew inspiration from photographer Tom Medvedich.

I greatly admire his precise lighting techniques and his minimalist approach to product photography.

His ability to create impactful images with seemingly effortless lighting strongly influenced my approach to this assignment.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

This assignment taught me to see light and shadow with greater intention.

I feel that my signature style is beginning to emerge as I become more deliberate in my creative decisions.

When shooting products, I now have a deeper understanding of how lighting and shadow shape the final image.

Moving forward, I will continue to explore a variety of lighting scenarios while maintaining a clean, simple approach to my product photography.

Social Media Handles:

IG: denisetphotography

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Sean Thomas

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

I wanted to highlight craftsmanship from the automotive space.

In black and white the viewer is less likely to be distracted by other elements.

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

I searched for an angle where the sunlight would highlight the grain in the leather as well as the brand logo.

I then used a sheet of paper to create a shadow dissecting the image to create a sense of drama.

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

As usual with my automotive photography, I try to focus on the artistry and craftsmanship of cars.

The people behind it all, the developers, the designers, the engineers etc.

“Zooming” in on a small section of the car instead of shooting it in its entirety allowed me to showcase the quality of materials and the attention to detail.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

Yes, I reviewed the amazingly timeless work from the master of B&W landscapes Ansel Adams.

I also recently watched the film “ Following “ by Christopher Nolan, which was shot in black and white.

I believed this helped create the right environment for my eyes and mindset to be in.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

This assignment acted as a reminder that I do indeed have a signature style and I need to pedal down hard on incorporating into my commercial work.

Social Media Handles:

IG: autoluximagery

Website: www.autoluximagery.com

Donna Crantshaw

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

What I wanted to highlight was the name of the product, which had white lettering on the bottle.

Originally the bottle is dark blue, I could see it as a black & white image as well and the name still stood out.

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

This bottle was very plain and very reflective so I had to think of the best was to light it.

I tried to use a strobe and a continuous light at first but it wasn’t working for me.

So I decided to use just the strobe light and a lot of flags and white broads in order to achieve a rim light on the side and on the cap.

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

Everyone knows Ralph Lauren product, but this product only had Polo est. 67 on the bottle.

Since this was his newest fragrance I wanted that name to be in really clear and in focus.

Also by used the gift box top as a background (the RL store was etched on the front) I hoped viewers could get an idea as to when the company was opened.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

I love black & white photography anyway, and I found this website call Doers of London.

They sell skincare for men but all the photography is b/w which I thought was really cool, so that site inspired me.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

Yes, it forces you to really see the product for what it is, instead of concentrating on the colour and to be able to make that photo pop.

I wish I could shoot everything in black & white, but I know that’s not realistic. I settle for a more minimalistic style.

Social Media Handles:

IG: donnacrantshawphotography

Website: www.donnacrantshawphotography.com

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BEST IN SHOW

Israel Cardona III

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

Through black and white, I wanted to highlight character, presence, and authenticity within my portrait niche.

Removing colour allowed the focus to shift entirely to the subject’s expression, body language, and texture, his beard, tattoos, and posture become the visual language of the image.

Black and white reinforces a timeless, honest feel and helps the viewer connect directly with the person, not the palette.

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

These lighting decisions were essential because, without colour, light becomes the primary storytelling tool.

It defines form, mood, and emotion, allowing texture and tonal range to carry the visual impact of the image.

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

The composition guides that narrative through contrast and direction, using light to isolate the subject, strong shadows to create depth, and framing to draw the eye toward expression and body language.

Without colour, the viewer is led naturally to what matters most: the emotion, the moment, and the story being told.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

Yes. My approach to black-and-white for this assignment was influenced mainly by editorial and documentary photographers who focus on emotion, light, and form rather than perfection.

Photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Annie Leibovitz’s pushed me to think about mood and storytelling, even in a single frame.

I was also inspired by classic black-and-white cinema, where contrast, shadows, and simplicity are used to guide the viewer’s attention and convey emotion without relying on colour.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

This assignment helped me clearly see that my signature style leans toward editorial, story-driven portraits that feel authentic and intentional rather than overly posed.

I realized I’m most drawn to working with real people in real environments, using light and composition to support the story instead of overpowering it.

Going forward, this will influence how I shoot my niche by pushing me to be more deliberate with location, light, and mood, and to focus on creating images that feel honest and cinematic.

I want my work to continue blending editorial aesthetics with natural moments, helping brands and individuals communicate who they are in a genuine and visually compelling way.

Social Media Handles:

IG: cardona3.photography

Website: www.cardona3.photography

Isatou Jallow

What aspect of your niche did you want to highlight through black and white, and how did removing colour help strengthen that focus?

Form in editorial minimalism. Stripping colour removed all distractions centering the strong pose

Monochrome relies heavily on light and texture. What lighting decisions shaped the mood of your image, and why were they essential to your final result?

Having a go to light set up to balance shadows always comes in handy.

Having 2 lights on opposite ends allows for well rounded illumination of the model while they move around.

What story or emotion were you aiming to communicate, and how did your composition guide viewers to that narrative without the use of colour?

Strong , confident and clean.

I was able to validate the model when they posed their body comfortably while focusing on expressing to the camera and me.

Directing them to embody the mood.

Were there any specific photographers, films, or artistic influences that shaped your approach to black-and-white work for this assignment?

It was for an engagement shoot and the vision was to go for a clean and minimal editorial look so I found reference for closet.

What did this assignment teach you about your own signature style and how will it influence how you shoot your niche going forward?

This assignment coupled with the last pro lab meeting taught me a lot about my signature style.

What, who and why I want to shoot what I shoot and it has influenced what stories I tell with my portfolio.

Social Media Handles:

IG: sevynlens_

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Photography has a way of finding people at different moments in life.

For some, it begins in childhood.

For others, it starts with a single class, a chance encounter, or an unexpected opportunity.

Sometimes it’s a passion that’s placed on hold for years before finally returning.

What matters isn’t when the journey begins.

It’s having the courage to begin again.

This week, we’re introducing two more members of the Accelerator whose stories remind us that there is no single path to becoming a photographer.

Progress isn't measured by where you started. It's measured by the standard you're willing to pursue.

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Malik Brand

Always Moving Forward

“For Malik, photography isn’t just about making better images. It’s about becoming better every single day.”

At a Glance

📍 Location
Lansing, Michigan, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Eastern Time (ET)

📷 Photography Niche
Portrait Photography

🎯 Current Focus
Building the systems that allow him to focus on creating great work.

🚀 Goal
Expand beyond the Lansing market and establish himself in larger commercial markets.

“It was the next step."

Malik’s Story

Photography has been part of Malik Brand’s life for as long as he can remember.

Growing up, his mother worked as a model, giving him an early appreciation for the creative world.

As he got older, picking up a camera felt like a natural next step.

Six years later, portrait photography has become both his passion and his profession.

After consistently submitting work for CARTY’s weekly reviews and seeing measurable progress through constructive feedback, joining the Accelerator became the obvious next step.

Today, Malik is focused on building the business systems that will allow him to spend more time creating and less time managing the day-to-day demands of running a business.

He also hopes to expand his reach beyond his local market while continuing to improve his craft.

One thing Malik wants the community to know is simple: he believes growth is something we should pursue together.

He’s committed to becoming better every day and helping others do the same.

Social Media Handles:
Website: malikbrandphotography.com
Instagram: Malik.a.brand

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Mike Howell

Starting Again

“Sometimes the right time isn’t the first opportunity. It’s the moment you decide not to wait any longer.”

At a Glance

📍 Location
Glenview, Illinois, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Central Time (CT)

📷 Photography Niche
Food & Beverage Photography

🎯 Current Focus
Developing an eye for great photography.

🚀 Goal
Build a portfolio of 36 commercial-quality images and launch his photography business.

“Now is the best time.”

Mike’s Story

Mike Howell first fell in love with photography more than four decades ago.

As a high school student, he learned photography in the darkroom, developing black and white film.

Thus, discovering a passion that stayed with him long after the class had ended.

His first camera, an Olympus OM-10, travelled the world with him during his time in the U.S. Navy.

Like many photographers, life eventually took him in a different direction.

Marriage, family, and career meant the camera was set aside, but the desire to return never disappeared.

That changed after discovering Steve Carty’s educational content online.

Inspired by the honesty, passion, and practical approach to building a photography business, Mike committed himself to starting again.

Joining Portfolio Lab with the promise of creating an entirely new body of work, he quickly realized there would never be a perfect moment to feel completely ready.

The Accelerator became an opportunity to stop waiting and begin building the portfolio he’d always wanted.

Today, Mike’s goal is ambitious and measurable: create a portfolio of 36 professionally reviewed images while continuing to develop the creative eye needed to compete in commercial food and beverage photography.

For Mike, photography isn’t simply about making images.

It’s about making up for lost time.

Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Every photographer eventually reaches the same crossroads.

You stop asking, “Is this a good photograph?”

And begin asking, “Is this the photograph I want representing me?”

That shift changes everything.

Open Submission isn’t simply an opportunity to share your favourite image.

It’s an opportunity to define your standard.

Every photograph included in a portfolio becomes part of your visual identity, shaping how clients, editors, and viewers understand your work before a single conversation takes place.

This week, photographers returned to one of the simplest assignments on paper, yet one of the most demanding in practice: Open Submission.

No creative brief.

No technical objective.

No stylistic direction.

Just one image that each photographer believed best represented their work.

The challenge wasn’t making another photograph.

It was believing in one enough to submit it.

Every portfolio is a reflection of the decisions you’re willing to stand behind.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Technical ability creates options.

Editorial judgment creates portfolios.

The ability to recognize your strongest work is a skill that develops through repetition, honest self-evaluation, and constructive feedback.

Learning what to leave out is often just as valuable as knowing what to include.

The photographers who consistently grow aren’t simply making more photographs.

They’re becoming better editors of their own work.

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members will create for the following week.

For this assignment, photographers returned to Open Submission, selecting a single photograph they believed best represented their current body of work.

Without creative restrictions or technical requirements, the emphasis shifted entirely to thoughtful selection, confidence, and professional presentation.

This week’s selected photographs represent more than successful captures.

They represent conviction.

Each photographer made the decision to place one image forward as a reflection of their current standard, and those choices produced an outstanding collection of work.

These are this week’s featured photographs.

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Jessica Mendez

What made this the one photograph you chose to represent your work this week?

I really liked the colours, the banana bread and how I styled it.

I wanted to try soft lighting this week for a different mood.

What were you hoping to communicate or say through this photograph?

Hopefully the appeal of a beloved desert fresh out of the oven.

I wanted the light to be soft and friendly and really show off the banana bread texture and colours.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

I think the soft lighting was better suited to the subject than hard light.

I tested it with hard light and it just didn’t communicate what I wanted it to.

After spending some time away from this photograph, what do you appreciate about it now that you might not have noticed when you first created it?

I really love the light on the golden brown bread and the way the banana glistens.

I love the texture of the cracks in the banana bread.

Also, the banana halves on top of the bread really elevate what might just be another plain loaf.

How does this photograph reflect your growth as a photographer or the direction you want your portfolio to take?

I think the composer could have been a little more precise but it was another lesson in simplicity.

I wanted to add a couple supporting elements but not let it get too busy.

Social Media Handles:
Website: jessicamendezphoto.com
Instagram: drjessicahughes

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Mike Howell

What made this the one photograph you chose to represent your work this week?

This is a transition week for me moving from black or white backgrounds to my first trial with a solid colour Seamless background.

I love the colour combinations with the cream, red and blue and when I started putting the set together, it just really spoke to me.

What were you hoping to communicate or say through this photograph?

Well, fine wine, served in a very clean you know, crisp environment.

I want people to see this and think I wanna taste that wine.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

OK, I’m using a lot of light modifiers right now to deal with reflections on glass.

I’ve also been working with scrims in addition to soft boxes for the last couple of weeks and I’m really pleased with the direction that these images are going so I think this image summed up very well the best of the work that I did this week.

After spending some time away from this photograph, what do you appreciate about it now that you might not have noticed when you first created it?

Colour coordination and the Seamless background.

I’m very new to a product Photography and so something is simple as a Seamless background succeeding is exciting for me.

I just thought this combination worked really really well.

How does this photograph reflect your growth as a photographer or the direction you want your portfolio to take?

Since joining portfolio lab, it has been my goal to shoot every day, which I am basically doing.

What I’m discovering is related to growth, it’s much easier to put systems in place and then once I have those systems for example, lighting and backdrops, etc.

It makes it easier to shoot iterations to come back and look at it the next day and re-shoot if I feel like that’s what I need to do.

Before that would’ve been very complicated.

Social Media Handles:
Website: themikehowell.com
Instagram: N/A

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Khaligraphy

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Sonny Warren

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

Sean Thomas

Social Media Handles:
Website: autoluximagery.com
Instagram: autoluximagery

Jim Sinicki

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo
Substack: Charlie James Photo

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Photographers spend a great deal of time searching for beautiful light.

The best photographers also learn to appreciate beautiful shadow.

Light reveals.

Shadow simplifies.

Together, they shape the way we experience a photograph, directing attention, creating atmosphere, and allowing subjects to emerge with intention rather than explanation.

This week’s assignment challenged photographers to think beyond exposure and begin sculpting with contrast.

Members were challenged to create a horizontal image using dramatic light and shadow.

Whether working with natural daylight, practical lighting, or studio equipment, photographers were encouraged to use contrast intentionally to shape mood, depth, and storytelling within their niche.

The objective wasn’t simply to light the scene.

It was to decide what deserved to remain unseen.

Every great photograph is a conversation between light and shadow.

Why This Matters

Most can illuminate a subject.

Creating atmosphere requires restraint.

Understanding when to reveal detail and when to allow shadow to take over is one of the defining characteristics of mature photographic work.

Contrast isn’t simply about brightness.

It’s about directing the viewer’s attention, creating emotion, and allowing the image to communicate with clarity and purpose.

Whether photographing people, places, or products, photographers who understand light and shadow gain another powerful storytelling tool.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members will create for the following week.

For this assignment, photographers were challenged to create a horizontal image using dramatic light and shadow within their niche.

The goal was to use intentional lighting and contrast to build mood, create depth, and strengthen visual storytelling while maintaining complete control over the viewer’s experience.

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The photographs selected this week demonstrate more than technical lighting.

They demonstrate intention.

Each photographer made thoughtful decisions about where the light should fall, what should remain in shadow, and how contrast could strengthen the story.

These are this week’s featured photographs.

Sonny Warren

Did another photographer or a specific photograph influence your approach to this image? If so, who or what was it, and how did you make it your own?

There was no specific photo or photographer I used for reference.

I was focussing on sculpting the light in the studio to match the subject.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

I wanted to have a dramatic image that sculpted the body and face.

To achieve this I went with a hatchet style lighting from the side and back of the model.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this photograph, and how did you overcome it?

Sculpting the body with dramatic light without losing shadow detail.

To work this, I used large modifiers very close to soften and wrap the light.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first experience this image?

I want the viewer to notice the shapes and contours of the face and body sculpted from the light and shadow.

What did this assignment teach you that you’ll carry into future work?

Embrace the dramatic.

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

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Michael Walls

Did another photographer or a specific photograph influence your approach to this image? If so, who or what was it, and how did you make it your own?

Yes I had a couple references for this shoot.

The one that struck this idea was of a single piece of chocolate that stood as a hero shot and an another product sitting in cocoa powder.

So with this being a double page assignment, I chose to shoot the entire chocolate bar so it would go across two pages and added the cocoa powder and added the chain to play off of their brand.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

The angle of the light that I went with.

I feel that it showed the brand well and the texture of their product with the brand name clearly visible.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this photograph, and how did you overcome it?

Working with the cocoa powder was pretty challenging.

It sticks to any and everything that it touches, so it was hard keep it off the face of the bar and ruining the texture.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first experience this image?

I hope that it catches their attention and bring awareness to the inhumanity that goes on inside of the cocoa industry like this company is actively fighting to end.

What did this assignment teach you that you’ll carry into future work?

It gave me a better understanding on how to control light to add a mood to photos that I can use on future work

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy

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Denise Tuggle

Did another photographer or a specific photograph influence your approach to this image? If so, who or what was it, and how did you make it your own?

The photographer who most influenced my approach to this project was Tom Medvedich.

His masterful use of light and shadow, particularly his bold application of hard light, inspired the direction of this image.

I admire how his lighting creates depth, drama, and visual impact while remaining clean and intentional.

Rather than replicating his style, I adapted those principles to complement my own subject, using controlled hard light to emphasize the bottle’s form, texture, and reflective qualities while creating an image that reflects my own artistic vision.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

The creative decision that had the greatest impact on the final image was my use of hard light to create bold, dramatic shadows.

My goal was to produce strong contrast that would enhance the shape and character of the product without overpowering it.

The technical challenge was carefully controlling the light intensity.

Too much power introduced unwanted double shadows, so I had to fine-tune the balance of my lighting to achieve the deepest, cleanest shadow possible while maintaining detail and clarity throughout the image.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this photograph, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I face while creating this photograph was getting the right light balance.

This as challanging because I am shooting on a white background against a refective bottle label that is also printed black and white.

This is a total reciept for over exposure.

I had to make sure that the white balance was correct across the board using the histogram to keep the balance of darks and light.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first experience this image?

I hope viewers are immediately drawn to the interplay between light and shadow and how that relationship creates a sense of drama and sophistication.

My intention was for the lighting to guide the viewer’s eye naturally toward the product, highlighting its elegance and design without distraction.

I want the image to evoke a sense of refinement while demonstrating how thoughtful lighting can transform a simple product into something visually compelling.

What did this assignment teach you that you’ll carry into future work?

This assignment reinforced one of the most important lessons in photography: light is everything.

Thoughtful lighting has the power to create emotion, depth, and contrast, transforming an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.

It also taught me the value of slowing down and giving every lighting decision the attention it deserves.

Rather than rushing through the process, I learned to experiment, trust my creative instincts, and allow every idea the opportunity to evolve.

Those lessons will continue to shape my work as I strive to create images that are both technically precise and artistically impactful.

Social Media Handles:
Website: denisetugglephotography.com
Instagram: denisetphotography

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Hal Banfield

Did another photographer or a specific photograph influence your approach to this image? If so, who or what was it, and how did you make it your own?

This image was inspired by Herb Ritts’ shoot with Madonna in her True Blue era.

I loved the idea of shooting leather in black and white.

I took that concept and tried for something a bit darker and moodier.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

To get to the shadows and light effect, I wanted to lean into high contrast in the blacks.

To showcase more reflective lighting, the leather jacket brought in a bit more specularity.

I continued by positioning the key light to provide some dimension on the subject’s face and rim light for a bit of separation.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this photograph, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was shooting this in a very small space with not much depth.

I was shooting at 35mm and needed to be sure I wasn’t getting too close to distorting the subject.

Also, there were a lot of distracting elements in the background, and I wound up using whatever I could find (dark blankets, black foamcore, etc) to block out what did not need to be in the photo.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first experience this image?

I wanted viewers to pick up on the image’s high contrast in relation to the subject’s glaring expression, with him staring down the barrel of the lens.

What did this assignment teach you that you’ll carry into future work?

This assignment taught me that trial and error is very much the name of the game when working out problems in small and tight spaces.

Social Media Handles:
Website: halbanphotography.com
Instagram: halbanphotography

Jim Sinicki

Did another photographer or a specific photograph influence your approach to this image? If so, who or what was it, and how did you make it your own?

I’ve always been a fan of the work by Estevan Oriol and when I thought up the original plan for a bmx street portrait, I wanted to channel a bit of his style while shooting it my way.

What creative or technical decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

I love shooting dark tones and pushing contrast so I knew I wanted to stay with that feel, but one of the things Carty has always gotten on me about was adding in a second light to help separate my subject from the dark background.

When I started building the light for this image there was no question I wanted to build in a second light to create those separating highlights.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this photograph, and how did you overcome it?

As we were shooting we started to get a little weather moving in.

It started raining and was getting quite windy.

This forced me to speed up the process, but I had a vision, and there wasn’t going to be anything to stop me from creating it.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first experience this image?

I hope they notice the thought that went into lighting this scene, light is something I pride myself on and I’m always so proud when it works the way I want.

What did this assignment teach you that you’ll carry into future work?

Finding new ways to balance light and shadow.

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo
Substack: Charlie James Photo

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Every photographer reaches a point where creating another image isn’t the challenge.

Choosing the right one is.

Open Submission shifts the focus away from execution and places it squarely on judgment.

Without a brief or creative direction, the assignment becomes deeply personal.

Every participant must decide which single photograph best represents both their current ability and the direction they’re moving toward.

That decision is often more difficult than pressing the shutter.

This week, members returned to one of the most revealing assignments of the year: Open Submission.

No prompts.

No themes.

No restrictions beyond selecting one photograph capable of standing confidently on its own.

The assignment challenged photographers to think less like image-makers and more like editors.

A portfolio isn’t necessarily built one photograph at a time. It’s built one decision at a time.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Strong photographers create compelling images.

Professional photographers also know when not to include one.

Learning to evaluate your own work objectively is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

It requires honesty, consistency, and the confidence to let your strongest work represent you.

Every portfolio tells a story.

The question is whether it’s telling the one you intended.

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members will create for the following week.

For this assignment, members returned to Open Submission.

Photographers were invited to submit a single image they believed best represented their current body of work.

No specific subject or style was required.

The emphasis was placed entirely on thoughtful selection and professional presentation.

The objective wasn’t simply to submit a great photograph.

It was to submit the right photograph.

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This week’s selected photographs demonstrate something beyond technical ability.

They reflect confidence.

Each image feels intentional, complete, and capable of standing on its own without explanation.

These are this week’s featured photographers.

Mike Howell

Why did this image deserve to represent your work this week?

I took several iterations of this shot before finally coming up with this combination.

This to me was the best soft light on the sides of the glass and bottle the best light on the label.

It just was the best it was as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to submit it.

What do you think this photograph says about you as a photographer right now?

I think it says I’m trying.

I think it says I’m learning.

I think it just says that repetitions are making it possible for me to create better work.

What creative decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

I moved to using a scrim to soften the light and I calibrated my RGB colors to get a more pure black.

But from a creative standpoint, offset the champagne glass to the bottle and including the really long reflection at the bottom is something I don’t think I’ve seen done quite that way before so from a creative standpoint I’d say it was working with an extended reflection.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first see this photograph?

I hope they look at it and think of it as a step towards fine art.

Yes, it has a commercial application, but I just think the black, the gold, the soft light all lens towards a step above commercial.

I’m really proud of the shot.

What does selecting this image reveal about the standard you’re setting for yourself?

I’m pushing.

I’m pushing to be better.

I’m pushing to produce something.

That’s a higher standard and I’m pushing to produce something that goes beyond just average bottle shots.

I really wanna create a pattern interrupt that makes people stop and look. This is a step in that direction.

Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

Michael Walls

Why did this image deserve to represent your work this week?

I felt that this image was a very strong double page spread and the donuts stand out very well.

What do you think this photograph says about you as a photographer right now?

That I can take really clean images and display food to look attractive.

What creative decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

The way the product is placed to fit a double page spread in a magazine.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first see this photograph?

I hope that it would be a scroll stopper and make the viewer want a donut.

What does selecting this image reveal about the standard you’re setting for yourself?

I feel that it shows the discipline and how much I pay attention to the smallest of details.

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy

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Denise Tuggle

Why did this image deserve to represent your work this week?

I chose this image because it fully represents the vision I had for photographing Saratoga Water on ice.

I have admired the brand since the first time I saw it featured in a Vogue magazine advertisement.

Its striking design immediately captivated me, and I’ve been inspired to photograph it ever since.

The iconic Saratoga blue is both beautiful and technically challenging to capture accurately, making it an exciting subject for product photography.

This image reflects my commitment to translating that vision into a polished, commercial-quality photograph.

What do you think this photograph says about you as a photographer right now?

This photograph reflects my willingness to embrace more ambitious and technically demanding lighting setups.

Every lighting decision was carefully planned to highlight the elegance of the bottle, create controlled reflections on the ice, and preserve the richness of the Saratoga blue without sacrificing detail.

It demonstrates my growth in lighting control, exposure, and composition, while showing my confidence in taking creative risks to produce stronger commercial imagery.

What creative decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

The decision to photograph the product on ice had the greatest impact on the final image.

I wanted to create an immediate sensory experience that communicated refreshment before the viewer even considered the product itself.

The ice, condensation, and vibrant blue glass work together to evoke a feeling of coldness and thirst, inviting the viewer to imagine reaching for the bottle.

Equally important was the lighting.

It had to be clean, precise, and intentional to reveal the beauty of the glass, enhance the colour, and maintain a premium, luxury aesthetic.

Without carefully controlled lighting, the image would not have achieved the visual impact I envisioned.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first see this photograph?

My first hope is simple, they feel thirsty.

Beyond that, I want viewers to be drawn in by the image’s freshness and visual appeal.

Whether they already know the brand or are seeing it for the first time, I want the photograph to spark curiosity and create an emotional desire to experience the product.

A successful product photograph doesn’t simply document an object; it makes the viewer want it.

What does selecting this image reveal about the standard you’re setting for yourself?

Selecting this image represents the standard I’m setting for my work moving forward: creating photographs that are both technically sophisticated and emotionally engaging.

I want my images to go beyond simply showcasing a product, they should evoke a physical response, whether that’s a sense of refreshment, desire, or curiosity.

This photograph reflects my commitment to mastering complex lighting, refining my compositions, and producing commercial work that tells a compelling visual story while inspiring viewers to connect with the product.

Social Media Handles:
Website: denisetugglephotography.com
Instagram: denisetphotography

Sonny Warren

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

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Malik Brand

Why did this image deserve to represent your work this week?

I’ve been working hard at keeping consistent with shooting and that shoot everything was working the way I wanted it to.

What do you think this photograph says about you as a photographer right now?

That I’m a very different photographer now than I was a year ago.

What creative decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

The angle I saw the shot and had to shoot it at that angle. I need it to still work for the brand and keep the power in the image.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first see this photograph?

I hope they notice the lighting I think it stands out and its a scroll stopper.

What does selecting this image reveal about the standard you’re setting for yourself?

I am constantly pushing myself to get better and working hard everyday and I want my work to reflect that.

I don’t just wanna be good I want to be the best.

Social Media Handles:
Website: malikbrandphotography.com
Instagram: Malik.a.brand

Khaligraphy

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Jessica Mendez

Why did this image deserve to represent your work this week?

It represents my ability to recreate lighting that has worked well for me in the past.

It puts me on my way to developing a signature style.

This image shows my ability to create a clean yet still interesting composition to showcase a dish.

The way I ended up arranging the chopsticks feels almost artistic in relation to the dish instead of merely showing food.

What do you think this photograph says about you as a photographer right now?

I think it says I’m learning to compose and be intentional with props.

I had a couple different ideas but when in doubt, I took away elements instead of cluttering the scene with props.

What creative decision had the biggest impact on the final image?

I see it’s important to not be wedded to an idea if you have good reason to believe it’s not going to work.

I eliminated a plate that was a supporting element but the plate was larger than the rice bowl I wanted to showcase so I made a change.

What do you hope viewers notice or feel when they first see this photograph?

I hope they find the rice bowl appetizing.

It’s not an inherently fancy food but I do believe the styling and colours elevate it to something more sophisticated than how people are used to seeing a comforting rice bowl.

What does selecting this image reveal about the standard you’re setting for yourself?

I think the standard I’m setting for myself is quality over quantity.

In the past, I thought I needed to have many elements in my scene to make a good picture.

There is surely still a place for that but I think my core style goal is going to be minimal props and very intentional composition with impact.

Social Media Handles:
IG: drjessicahughes

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Light is one of the first creative decisions every photographer makes.

Sometimes we wait for it.

Sometimes we create it.

This week’s assignment challenged photographers to take full control of their scene by making artificial light the primary source of illumination.

Whether using flash, LED panels, practical lighting, or neon, the objective remained the same: shape the image with intention rather than reacting to the environment.

Artificial light doesn’t simply brighten a subject.

It gives photographers the ability to direct attention, create mood, and build an image exactly as they envision it.

The moment you create the light, you become responsible for everything it reveals.

Why This Matters

Learning to work with artificial light is about far more than mastering equipment.

It teaches photographers to think deliberately about mood, direction, contrast, and visual hierarchy.

Every lighting decision influences how the viewer experiences the photograph.

Whether using a single light or a more complex setup, the goal remains the same: create images that feel intentional, refined, and unmistakably your own.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members will create for the following week.

This week, photographers were challenged to create an image using artificial light as the dominant source of illumination.

Rather than relying on available light, participants were encouraged to shape the scene using flash, LED panels, studio lighting, neon, practical lights, or other man-made sources to create mood, depth, and visual impact.

The objective wasn’t simply to light the subject.

It was to control the viewer’s experience.

The strongest images this week demonstrated more than technical lighting skills.

They showed intention.

Each photographer made deliberate choices about where the light would fall, what it would reveal, and how it would guide the viewer through the frame.

These are the photographers whose work stood out.

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Ozzy Stewart

What was the vision you had before picking up the camera?

I wanted to create a portrait that felt simple, honest, and intentional.

My focus wasn’t on making the image feel flashy.

I wanted the light and composition to naturally draw people into the subject and leave them feeling like they had a real moment with that person.

What role did artificial light play in bringing that vision to life?

Artificial light gave me the control to shape the mood exactly how I imagined it.

I used it to gently sculpt the light on her, add depth, and keep the attention where I wanted it.

My goal was for the lighting to feel natural, even though it was carefully crafted.

What part of the lighting setup are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of how subtle the lighting feels.

It wasn’t about using a complicated setup.

It was about making one light work well and finding the right balance between light and shadow so the portrait felt clean, dimensional, and authentic.

What challenged you the most during this assignment?

The biggest challenge was resisting the urge to overcomplicate the setup.

It’s easy to think another light or another modifier will improve the image, but this assignment reminded me that stronger photographs often come from making fewer, more intentional decisions.

Refining the position of a single light required patience, but it made a noticeable difference.

What’s one lesson from this assignment that you’ll carry into future work?

This assignment reinforced that mastery comes from understanding light, not accumulating gear.

Small adjustments in light placement can completely change how a portrait feels.

Going forward, I want every lighting choice to have a purpose and continue creating portraits that feel authentic, cinematic, and emotionally grounded.

Social Media Handles:
Website: ozzystewart.com
Instagram: ozzy.stewart
Substack: Between Light & Shadow by Ozzy Stewart

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Sonny Warren

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

Jessica Mendez

What was the vision you had before picking up the camera?

I’d been wanting to photograph food in a skillet for a bit now and I happened to be cooking with it that day.

I wanted to create a cozy image, something that gave the feeling of comfort food. I equate skillet meals with warm comfort.

I like the way the tiles add visual interest to the negative space without detracting from the dish.

I think I accomplished what I set out to achieve.

What role did artificial light play in bringing that vision to life?

I wanted to emulate afternoon light and have a scene that was not fussy and had little distraction.

My intention was to let the light and colors do the talking. I played with the angle and length of the shadows to get it just right and was very pleased with the result.

What part of the lighting setup are you most proud of?

I’m proud that I’m getting better at placing the light in a position where it isn’t dramatically brighter in the corner closest to the strobe.

I was a bit discouraged at first but I kept experimenting and eventually got it just right.

What challenged you the most during this assignment?

I thought my biggest challenge would be the brightly lit corner due but it ended up being the unevenly placed tiles of my background.

The background I had was made to be imperfect.

I had to take the photo so many times with micro adjustments to find the most pleasing placement to avoid appearing sloppy or distracting.

What’s one lesson from this assignment that you’ll carry into future work?

That it can pay off to stick with the plan and solve a problem.

I’m glad I didn’t bail when things got a bit frustrating.

I could have quit and just changed out my background for something else but I was committed to the combination of the red tiles and my subject.

I made so many minor and major adjustments and found the best placement.

My determination paid off.

Social Media Handles:
IG: drjessicahughes

Michael Walls

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy

Mike Howell

What was the vision you had before picking up the camera?

Putting together a series of portfolio shots that Will meet the standard.

Make the grade I mean there’s ways of saying it, but I’m just learning to make acceptable photography in the commercial realm.

What role did artificial light play in bringing that vision to life?

The series of photographs that I’m working on is my first venture into the presentation of a product in a commercial way.

Finding the right formula and combination of product and light and presentation then has to be repeatable.

Artificial light gives you that ability.

Trying to shoot this outside.

Your light would be changing by the minute.

That would be a lot more complicated even than it was in a studio.

What part of the lighting setup are you most proud of?

Shooting glass and bottles is all about round surfaces and gradient light.

Getting just the right amount of light so that you don’t have hotspots where parts of your label are blown out and parts of your label are in shadow or underexposed takes practice and awareness.

Add placement in composition and it is complicated but ... there is a formula.

And I finally saw that in this image. I saw the formula that would make it a double page spread and put it together.

What challenged you the most during this assignment?

Depth of field and multiple focus points on a curved surface .

Shooting at F 32 gives you the advantage of the best possible focus both near the front and the rear of the picture.

The light that is needed to go along with that has to be modified.

Working with light modifiers and composition around a curved surface while shot at an angle, a lot can go wrong.

What’s one lesson from this assignment that you’ll carry into future work?

Stop thinking about shooting wide open and start thinking about what you want people to see.

Even on a small table with a champagne bottle that’s only 14 inches long.

I could not have done this with a wide open lens setting.

Use light and vocal link to your advantage.

And also know the right lens.

I did this with three different lenses before I got the focal link that worked the best for the shot.

35 mm was too wide 100 mm macro was too close.

You can change lenses and completely change the results.

Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

This week, we’re trying something new.

Rather than focusing on a weekly assignment, we’re introducing a new recurring feature: Accelerator Spotlight.

Photography is about far more than the images we create.

Behind every portfolio is a person with unique experiences, ambitions, challenges, and reasons for picking up a camera in the first place.

The Accelerator was never intended to be about building the largest community.

It’s about building the right one.

This issue introduces six members who have chosen to invest in their growth, challenge themselves, and learn alongside a group of photographers committed to raising one another’s standard.

Today, you meet them.

Tomorrow, you’ll watch where their journey leads.

Why This Feature Matters

Great communities aren’t measured by how many people join.

They’re measured by how deeply people engage.

Accelerator Spotlight is designed to introduce the photographers behind the work while creating a record of where they started.

In the months ahead, we’ll revisit these members, celebrate their progress, and continue documenting their journey.

Whether you’re part of the Accelerator, Portfolio Lab, or simply following along, we hope these stories encourage you to invest in your own creative growth.

Because every accomplished photographer was once at the beginning of their next chapter.

The strongest communities don’t simply showcase great work. They invest in great people.

Meet This Week’s Accelerator Spotlight Members

Over the following pages you’ll meet six photographers from different backgrounds, specialties, and time zones.

Each brings a unique perspective to the Accelerator, but they all share one thing in common:

A willingness to learn, improve, and contribute.

This is where their story begins.

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Jessica Mendez

Taking the Leap

Every photographer starts somewhere. Jessica decided not to wait until she felt ready.

📍 Location
Central Florida, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Eastern Time (ET)

📷 Photography Niche
Food Photography

🎯 Current Focus
Building a portfolio that earns my first commercial client.

🚀 Goal
Develop the skills, confidence, and business foundation needed to launch a successful commercial food photography business.

Jessica’s Story

Jessica Mendez’s journey into photography began with a simple favour.

When a friend asked her to photograph dishes for his Italian restaurant, she unexpectedly found herself immersed in the world of food styling, lighting, and visual storytelling.

What started as curiosity quickly became a genuine passion.

As Jessica searched for ways to improve, she discovered The Carty Method.

The honest critiques, practical business advice, and high standards challenged her to think differently about photography and what it takes to build a professional career.

Although she only began photographing in early 2026, Jessica has embraced a mindset of learning through action.

Rather than waiting until she felt completely prepared, she chose to invest in herself now, believing that confidence comes from doing the work.

Throughout the Accelerator, her focus is on building both her portfolio and the business systems behind it, ensuring that when the opportunity to work with clients arrives, she’ll be ready.

Jessica says one of the greatest rewards has already been finding a community of photographers who challenge and encourage one another to grow.

For her, the journey is about more than making stronger photographs.

It’s about becoming the kind of professional she has always wanted to be.

🌐 Website
N/A

📸 Instagram
jessicamendez.photo

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Michael Walls

Turning Passion into Profession

What began as a lifelong hobby has become a clear commitment to building a career behind the camera.

📍 Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Mountain Time (MT)

📷 Photography Niche
Food | Lifestyle

🎯 Current Focus
Building a clearer vision and stronger direction for my photography career.

🚀 Goal
Develop a focused plan that will help turn photography into a successful long-term profession.

Michael’s Story

Photography has been part of Michael Walls’ life for as long as he can remember.

Inspired by his mother’s love of photography and modeling, what began as a lifelong hobby gradually developed into something much more meaningful.

While deployed in Iraq, photography became more than a creative outlet.

It became a way to observe, document, and appreciate the world around him.

That experience deepened his passion and eventually led him to pursue photography professionally.

Today, Michael specializes in food and lifestyle photography and is focused on building a sustainable creative business with purpose and direction.

After watching the success of photographers who had completed the Accelerator, he realized he wasn’t simply looking to improve his photography.

He wanted a clearer roadmap for building a successful career, and believed The Carty Method would help provide that direction.

Away from photography, Michael enjoys spending time bowling and relaxing with his dogs, finding balance between creativity, business, and everyday life.

🌐 Website
michaelwallsphotography.com

📸 Instagram
wallsofmemoriesphotography

Donna Crantshaw

A New Chapter

Retirement didn’t mark the end of Donna’s creative journey. It gave her the opportunity to fully embrace it.

📍 Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Eastern Time (ET)

📷 Photography Niche
Product Photography | Beauty

🎯 Current Focus
Developing a unique minimalist photographic style.

🚀 Goal
Build the confidence, communication skills, and portfolio needed to grow a successful product photography business.

Donna’s Story

Photography first captured Donna Crantshaw’s imagination through a book filled with floral images.

Inspired by its simplicity and beauty, she began creating her own still-life photographs with the goal of producing greeting cards and fine art prints.

Since retiring, Donna has dedicated herself to photography with renewed purpose.

What began as a personal creative outlet has evolved into a focused pursuit of product and beauty photography.

Minimalism plays an important role in both her life and her work.

Rather than adding unnecessary elements, Donna strives to create clean, intentional photographs that allow the subject to speak for itself.

Joining the Accelerator also represents a personal challenge.

As someone who describes herself as an introvert, she’s committed to becoming more confident reaching out to clients and building meaningful professional relationships.

She sees the program as an opportunity to grow not only as a photographer, but as a business owner.

For Donna, this chapter is about embracing growth, refining her artistic voice, and proving that it’s never too late to pursue a creative passion with intention.

🌐 Website
donnacrantshawphotography.com

📸 Instagram
donnacrantshawphotography

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Jim Sinicki

Building a Future

For Jim, photography isn’t simply a passion. It’s the future he’s working to build for his family.

📍 Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Central Time (CT)

📷 Photography Niche
People Photography

🎯 Current Focus
Building a strong brand that clients can’t afford to pass up.

🚀 Goal
Build a photography business that allows him to leave corporate life and support his family full-time.

Jim’s Story

Photography wasn’t always part of Jim Sinicki’s plan.

For more than 30 years, it was never something he imagined pursuing professionally.

That changed after a friend began sharing photographs of downtown Milwaukee that sparked his curiosity and inspired him to pick up a camera for the first time.

Armed with a used Canon Rebel XS, Jim immersed himself in photography, spending countless hours photographing the streets and learning the craft through experience.

But when he and his wife learned they were expecting their first child, his focus shifted.

Rather than photographing places, Jim wanted to document people, beginning with his own family.

That decision continues to shape his work today.

After spending time in Portfolio Lab, Jim found himself drawn to the Accelerator.

While he had developed confidence in his photography, he knew building a successful business required guidance, accountability, and a community of photographers committed to growing together.

His ambition is clear: to create a photography business strong enough to leave his corporate career behind and provide for his family doing what he loves.

For Jim, success isn’t measured only by the photographs he creates. It’s measured by the life he’s working to build around them.

🌐 Website
www.charliejamesphoto.com

📸 Instagram
charlie_james_photo

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Denise Tuggle

Returning to a Dream

Some dreams begin early. Denise has spent a lifetime preparing for this one.

Accelerator Snapshot

📍 Location
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Eastern Time (ET)

📷 Photography Niche
Commercial Product Photography

🎯 Current Focus
Growing my commercial product photography business.

🚀 Goal
Build a sustainable commercial photography business that becomes the primary focus of my creative career.

Denise’s Story

For Denise Tuggle, photography has never been a passing interest.

It has been a lifelong dream.

At just 15 years old, she knew she wanted to become a photographer.

Inspired by the work of Gordon Parks, James Van Der Zee, and Zora Neale Hurston, she discovered how photography could preserve stories, celebrate culture, and inspire others.

Using money she earned from a summer babysitting job, Denise purchased her first 35mm camera, a Yashica that symbolized the beginning of a journey she continues today.

Soon after, she gained hands on experience working alongside a local portrait studio, learning darkroom techniques, film processing, and portrait photography while also discovering graphic design.

Today, after more than twenty years of building a successful design and marketing business, Denise is intentionally shifting her focus toward commercial product photography, combining decades of creative experience with a renewed commitment to the craft she first fell in love with as a teenager.

Although she wanted to join the Accelerator from the very beginning, Denise chose to wait until she felt she had earned her place.

That patience strengthened both her confidence and her portfolio, and today she enters the program with a clear vision for the future.

Denise describes herself as a free spirit who believes faith, determination, and consistent effort can overcome almost any obstacle.

It’s a philosophy that continues to guide both her creative work and the way she approaches life.

🌐 Website
denisetugglephotography.com

📸 Instagram
denisetphotography

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Hal Banfield

Refining a Lifetime of Storytelling

After decades of telling stories through theatre, television, and photography, Hal is focused on sharpening the creative voice that will define his next chapter.

📍 Location
Los Angeles, California, USA

🌎 Time Zone
Pacific Time (PT)

📷 Photography Niche
Portrait | Editorial | Dance

🎯 Current Focus
Positioning my work to connect with new commercial clients.

🚀 Goal
Develop a clearer artistic voice and build a more cohesive commercial portfolio.

Hal’s Story

Hal Banfield’s path to photography has been shaped by a lifetime of storytelling.

After spending 25 years working in professional theatre, he transitioned into broadcast news, where an unexpected shift during the 2008 recession changed the direction of his career.

When newsroom photographers were let go, reporters were asked to shoot and edit their own stories, introducing Hal to visual storytelling from behind the camera.

What began as a practical necessity quickly became a passion. As more people sought him out for photography and video work, Hal launched Halban Photography, initially as a side business that eventually became his primary creative focus.

Committed to refining his craft, he enrolled in the photography program at Santa Monica College, studying photographic principles while drawing inspiration from many of the industry’s legendary image makers.

Despite building an impressive body of work, Hal joined the Accelerator for a reason many photographers can relate to.

He wasn’t searching for more photographs. He was searching for greater clarity.

His goal is to refine both his artistic voice and the way his work is presented, creating a portfolio that resonates more deeply with art buyers, editors, and commercial clients.

For Hal, growth has never been about reaching the finish line. It’s about continuing to evolve as a storyteller, no matter how much experience you’ve already earned.

🌐 Website
halbanphotography.com

📸 Instagram
halbanphotography

Professional feedback has the power to change your trajectory. Joining Portfolio Lab is where that journey begins.

This week, you met six members of the Accelerator, each at a different stage of their photography journey, but all committed to raising their standard.

In future issues, we’ll continue following their progress as they develop their craft, grow their businesses, and build careers behind the camera.

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Every photographer has more images than they need.

The challenge isn’t creating enough work.

It’s deciding which photographs deserve to represent it.

Open Submission weeks place that responsibility directly on the photographer. Without a brief, assignment, or creative constraint, the conversation shifts from execution to judgment.

What stays?

What goes?

And perhaps most importantly, why?

For this week’s assignment, members returned to Open Submission.

No specific subject matter.
No stylistic requirements.
No prescribed creative direction.

Participants were simply asked to submit the image they felt best represented their current level of work.

A portfolio is built through decisions, not photographs.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Photography often celebrates creation.

Open Submission celebrates selection.

The ability to evaluate your own work honestly is one of the most valuable skills a photographer can develop.

It requires objectivity, self-awareness, and the willingness to prioritize quality over attachment.

Because the strongest portfolios are rarely the largest.

They’re the most intentional.

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members must create for the following week.

For this assignment, photographers returned to Open Submission and were invited to submit a single image representing their strongest work.

The objective was simple:

Submit a photograph worthy of portfolio consideration.

BEFORE WE GET TO THE WINNERS...

The photographs selected this week weren’t connected by subject matter, genre, or style.

What they shared was confidence.

Each image felt deliberate, complete, and capable of standing on its own.

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Denise Tuggle

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

This image represents both growth and perseverance in my photographic journey.

It was actually a reshoot of a previous concept that I had submitted for evaluation.

While the original image showed promise, the feedback indicated that I was very close but needed to make a few key adjustments to elevate the final result.

Rather than moving on to another project, I returned to the drawing board, carefully analyzed the critique, and refined my lighting approach.

Those changes transformed the image completely.

The revised lighting brought depth, dimension, and life to the product, allowing it to command attention and tell a stronger visual story.

Choosing this image for submission felt appropriate because it reflects not only the final photograph but also the process of learning, adapting, and improving.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

This photograph reminds me that success in photography is a marathon, not a sprint.

Every submission, whether successful or not, has taught me valuable lessons that have contributed to my growth as an artist.

This image represents a point in my journey where I have become more confident in my ability to accept constructive criticism, apply corrections, follow a creative brief, and deliver work that satisfies the vision of an art director or client.

It also reflects my willingness to take creative risks and push beyond my comfort zone.

More importantly, it shows that I trust my creative instincts while remaining open to learning and refinement.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

The element that contributes most to the success of this image is the ice.

Working with real ice presented a unique challenge because it melts quickly, changes shape constantly, and can be unpredictable during a shoot.

However, real ice possesses qualities that artificial ice simply cannot replicate.

The transparency, texture, imperfections, and natural condensation add authenticity and visual interest to the scene.

Capturing these characteristics required careful lighting and timing to ensure the ice felt believable and enhanced the cold, refreshing nature of the product.

The ice not only supports the story of the image but also adds an element of realism that helps bring the entire composition to life.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

One of the most important decisions I made during capture was to focus on making both the ice and the product label the heroes of the image.

Initially, I considered creating the scene from a top-down perspective inside a container, but ultimately I chose an approach that allowed the product and ice to work together more effectively.

My goal was to make the ice feel “white-hot cold”, a visual contradiction that conveys an intense sense of refreshment.

Achieving this required precise lighting that felt natural and effortless while still creating a sense of magic.

Every highlight and reflection had to be carefully controlled so that the light enhanced both the ice and the can without overpowering them.

Maintaining tack-sharp focus was equally important, allowing every detail, texture, and droplet of condensation to contribute to the final image.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

This image deserves a place in my portfolio because it represents both technical achievement and personal growth.

From a compositional standpoint, it is a strong and visually impactful piece that immediately captures attention.

More importantly, it reflects how much my work has evolved over the past year.

The image demonstrates a higher level of confidence in my creative process, from concept development to execution.

It showcases my willingness to trust my ideas, work through challenges, and see a project through to completion.

As part of my portfolio, this photograph serves as a marker of progress and a reminder of the dedication required to continually improve as a photographer.

Social Media Handles:
Website: denisetugglephotography.com
Instagram: denisetphotography

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Zandon De Waal

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

It carefully represented the topic at hand.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

I’m grasping more techniques and im understanding light better which is a win in all styles of photography.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

The framing and the light.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

Listening to Carty’s advice.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

I’m pushing to shoot people more and I think this is a nice representation of what could be.

Social Media Handles:
Website: zandondewaal.com
Instagram: zandon_de_waal

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Francis Jeffery

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

This is the one that had symmetrical splashes and made the brown rock look the most likely it was a table made out of root beer.

Also the out of focus waterfall in the background mixed with brown rock gives the colour and texture of creamy root beer.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

This is the turning point in my Carty Method career and it will take off starting at this point.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

The cold water droplets on the can.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

Not a side from only using post to make it look as though the viewer was looking at the product in real time.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

It is within my niche and is a level up from before.

Social Media Handles:
Website: 500px.com/photogenicconnections
Instagram: francisjefferythebest
Instagram: scenery_michiana_portraits

Donna Crantshaw

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

This image was a redo because the week before I shot it at a 45 degree angle; Carty suggested that I shoot it top down instead.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

This assignment required we use natural lighting and I wanted it to reflect my movement toward minimalism, and simplicity without all the equipment and props.

However I still suffer from wanting to include a few extra items (leaves) that can result in clutter within the image that are not needed.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

I think the use of water contributed to the success of the image because the product is a hydration for the skin.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

With this image, I had to adapt to a challenging lighting scenario.

My goal was a refreshing product shot of e.l.f. skincare items in water.

Though a large tree heavily blocked the sun, I embraced the resulting dappled light, using it to create high-contrast highlights and shadows across the water tray.

I believe this shows I can work in a natural environments rather than trying to perfectly control them.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

My portfolio is starting show a lot of beauty products that are shot in a vertical format, this top down angle will fit because it forced me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to master new perspectives and layouts.

Social Media Handles:
Website: www.donnacrantshawphotography.com
Instagram: donnacrantshawphotography

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Michael Walls

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

I chose this image out of the series because how it popped off of the background and really thought the blue complimented the texture of the burger well.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

I feel that this image broke through a barrier for me by showing the ability to elevate a product that will catch peoples eyes and make the viewer want to buy it.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

The styling of the burger and the texture in the meat.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

Yes, I shot around 60-70 photos from different angles and coloured backgrounds.

Then I came across this angle and knew right away that this was the angle to go with.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

It set the tone for a new vibe in my portfolio that will hopefully be a scroll stopper.

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy

Sean Thomas

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

This image represents the direction I’m actively building toward.

It combines people, lifestyle, and automotive culture in a way that feels authentic to my work.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

It reflects a transition from photographing vehicles alone to documenting the people, brands, and communities that surround them.

That’s a direction I’m intentionally developing within my portfolio.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

The relationship between the subjects and the environment.

The low angle, open sky, and confident body language help create a strong sense of identity and presence.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

Choosing a low perspective was the most important decision.

It allowed the subjects, branding, and sky to work together while giving the image a more editorial feel.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

It represents where I’m headed, not just where I’ve been.

The image combines storytelling, community, and lifestyle photography while remaining connected to the automotive world that has shaped much of my work.

Social Media Handles:
Website: www.autoluximagery.com
Instagram: autoluximagery

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Khaligraphy

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Mike Howell

Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

Jessica Mendez

What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?

I was proud of this image because the result matched the vision I set out to create.

It’s a lighting set up I wanted to experiment with and want to recreate in future frames.

I think it represents me bringing together different elements to make an image to represent me well.

The lighting, the props, the shadows and composition finally came together after working my way to this point as a relatively new shooter.

What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?

It says I’m turning a corner toward developing work that references high quality photography for inspiration.

I have a long way to go but I think I’m headed towards developing my own style the more that I shoot.

What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?

I think the photo had success because of the cohesion of the elements, the way the background colour and plate are similar tones to help the colour and texture of the ribs to stand out.

Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?

I was originally going to photograph an uncut slab of ribs but decided that cutting the ribs and revealing meat falling off the bone might be better and I was right.

The photo of ribs cut apart is far better than the original idea.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?

I think it represents the type of photo I can recreate and want to create more of.

It captures the lighting and colour schemes I can recreate for clients.

Social Media Handles:
IG: drjessicahughes

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Natural light has a reputation for being simple.

It’s everywhere.
It’s free.
Anyone can use it.

Yet some photographers consistently create stronger images than others using the exact same sun, sky, and conditions.

That’s what made this week’s assignment interesting.

It wasn’t a test of equipment.

It was a test of observation.

For this week’s assignment, members were asked to create a photograph using natural light within their niche.

Window light.
Open shade.
Golden hour.
Overcast skies.

Whatever the source, daylight needed to be the primary illumination shaping the image.

The challenge wasn’t adding light.

It was working with what was already there.

Natural light rewards observation before it rewards technique.

Why This Matters

Strong photographers don’t just react to light.

They anticipate it.

They know when to wait for it, when to move into it, and when to build an image around it.

Assignments like this develop visual awareness, patience, and timing.

These skills strengthen every genre of photography, regardless of what gear you’re using.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, Carty delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members must create for the following week.

For Week #23, photographers were challenged to create a single image using natural light within their niche while maintaining professional standards of composition, atmosphere, and visual impact.

Before We Get to the Winners...

The strongest submissions this week weren’t necessarily the most dramatic.

They were the most intentional.

The selected images showed an understanding of how light can shape mood, direct attention, and strengthen a photograph without drawing attention to itself.

Zandon De Waal

What first caught your attention about the natural light in this scene?

It captured a moment that was initially in a chaotic state with high emotions.

How did the available light influence your decisions around composition, timing, or subject placement?

It has definitely improved my choice of seeing fleeting moments.

What challenges did working with natural light present, and how did you overcome them?

Framing.

Was there a particular quality of light (direction, softness, contrast, colour, etc.) that helped define the final image?

No, but I wish I framed it a little better.

What do you think the light contributes to this image beyond simple illumination?

Yes, Peter Lindbergh.

Social Media Handles:
Website: zandondewaal.com
Instagram: zandon_de_waal

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Sean Thomas

What first caught your attention about the natural light in this scene?

The warm early morning sunlight immediately caught my attention.

It added atmosphere and naturally brought the scene to life.

How did the available light influence your decisions around composition, timing, or subject placement?

The light dictated both the timing and composition.

I positioned myself to use the sunlight and lens flare while keeping the people, location, and vehicle connected within the frame.

What challenges did working with natural light present, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was balancing the bright sunlight with the darker building facade.

Careful exposure allowed me to maintain detail while preserving the mood of the scene.

Was there a particular quality of light (direction, softness, contrast, colour, etc.) that helped define the final image?

The warm directional light helped define the image.

It created depth, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place.

What do you think the light contributes to this image beyond simple illumination?

The light contributes to the feeling of the image as much as the visibility.

It adds warmth, energy, and reinforces the sense of community within the scene.

Social Media Handles:
Website: www.autoluximagery.com
Instagram: autoluximagery

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Francis Jeffery

What first caught your attention about the natural light in this scene?

I loved how it was helping reveal the brown sand in the water making the water look like the colour of the soda.

How did the available light influence your decisions around composition, timing, or subject placement?

I had to make sue the bottle was placed so that the natural light was making the text readable and legible on the bottle.

I also had this huge issue where waves kept knocking my bottles over and carrying them out into the lake and I kept having to abandon my photography equipment and run into the lake and grab them and pull them back.

One bottle I lost sight of and gave up on and then 2 hours later I took a break and looked for a different perspective to shoot from which led to me finding it rolling around with the waves in the lake and was still unopened, so I went out into the lake and grabbed it and then went back to my photography.

What challenges did working with natural light present, and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge was driving between South Bend Indiana and Washington Park Beach in Michigan City Indiana and spending several hours there on back to back days to get this shoot done.

I use to shoot landscapes and editorial scenes before my 1st time on The Carty Method and so I know how to work with only natural light (especially since I use to be a fan of Peter McKinnon).

Was there a particular quality of light (direction, softness, contrast, colour, etc.) that helped define the final image?

The hardness of it.

What do you think the light contributes to this image beyond simple illumination?

Highlighting the features of the product and illuminating the muddy water under the lake surface which made the colour of the lake be the same as the soda.

Also if it weren’t for the light the moving bubbles which make the whole lakefront look like carbonation wouldn’t be as noticeable and make it look more like chocolate ice cream instead of soda.

Social Media Handles:
Website: 500px.com/photogenicconnections
Instagram: francisjefferythebest
Instagram: scenery_michiana_portraits

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Sonny Warren

What first caught your attention about the natural light in this scene?

This is a room that I work in often and there is a beautiful big circular window that gets really nice soft light.

How did the available light influence your decisions around composition, timing, or subject placement?

I had to shoot the subject mid to late morning for best lighting conditions.

I placed the fabric flats in such a way that they would create depth with the shadows from the layering.

What challenges did working with natural light present, and how did you overcome them?

Timing is the biggest challenge and you have to deal with that challenge with planning plus opportunism.

Was there a particular quality of light (direction, softness, contrast, colour, etc.) that helped define the final image?

I was trying to really get the feel of a soft studio type lighting that creates shape and intimacy.

What do you think the light contributes to this image beyond simple illumination?

Natural light can give a real even shape and warmth that I tried to lean into.

It accentuates the natural materials in the fabrics textures

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

Khaligraphy

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Amund

Social Media Handles:
Website: amundphoto.com
Instagram: amundphoto

Jim Sinicki

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo
Substack: Charlie James Photo

Malik Brand

What first caught your attention about the natural light in this scene?

It was the Harsh light and shadow is what stood out it when i was looking for a open shade by the car wash we were shooting at.

How did the available light influence your decisions around composition, timing, or subject placement?

I was focused on making sure that the clothing was the focus but also the brand wanted “grungy” so i was trying create that vibe without keeping it dark.

What challenges did working with natural light present, and how did you overcome them?

The main issue was time of day it was around 4 pm on a bright sunny day I knew I needed a spot with some shade to cut down on that I said to myself “Carty would say a real pro can shoot no matter the time of day” so I figured it out.

Was there a particular quality of light (direction, softness, contrast, colour, etc.) that helped define the final image?

It was transition between the hard light and the shadows and the Rembrandt lighting on her cheek it all came together the way i wanted it to.

What do you think the light contributes to this image beyond simple illumination?

It highlights the shirt and makes the brand the hero but still shows the person wearing it as well.

Social Media Handles:
Website: malikbrandphotography.com
Instagram: Malik.a.brand

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

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Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Open Submission weeks tend to slow photographers down.

Not because the assignment is complicated, its because choosing becomes personal.

Without a prompt or restriction guiding the outcome, every submission reflects something deeper:

taste, confidence, restraint, and self-awareness.

The strongest images this week felt considered.

Not rushed toward attention.
Not overloaded with ideas.

Just resolved.

This week’s assignment returned members to Open Submission. An exercise built entirely around judgment and selection.

No required subject matter.
No creative direction.
No stylistic boundaries.

Only one responsibility:

Choose the image that best represents the level of work you want associated with your name.

Editing your portfolio honestly is one of the most creative skills a photographer can develop.

A lot of photographers improve technically long before they improve editorially.

They learn how to create stronger images, but not necessarily how to recognize which ones deserve to last.

Open Submission forces photographers into a different role:
not just creator, but curator.

It asks difficult questions:
Which images still work after the excitement fades?
Which photographs continue to communicate clearly over time?
Which ones genuinely belong beside the rest of your portfolio?

Because consistency is rarely built through addition.

It’s built through elimination.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what shooters must create for the following week.

For this assignment, members returned to Open Submission.

Participants were invited to submit a single image that represents their strongest work, a photograph capable of standing confidently on its own while reflecting clarity, intention, and professional standards.

At the centre of Open Submission remains one question:

Does this image deserve a place in your portfolio?

The selected photographs this week shared a similar quality:

They felt complete.

Not because they were ov erly polished or complicated, but because every decision inside the frame felt intentional and necessary.

Nothing extra.

Nothing unresolved.

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Mike Howell

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

This picture was done using one optical, snoot and long exposure on a tripod.

I liked the blue overtones of the light, reminding you of the blue hour before nightfall.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

My goal is to always improve.

My standard is to be better today than I was yesterday with a camera.

Steve teaches lighting, focus composition, but being able to put it all together can get tricky. This one worked.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

The strength of the Gobo light streaking across the wall, the focus on the glasses, the shadow of the martini glass in the edge of the main light…

There’s not a lot of shadow, but that one shows shadow which added another element to me

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

Yes.

The week before I had submitted a picture that had an entire scene around it and was full of errors.

What I took away from that was focus on the subject not the scene.

Minimalism is very intentional here avoiding too much clutter in the shot was absolutely my intention.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

I’m taking a lighting class online from Carl Taylor.

But I also looked at multiple other photographers drink images and background choices.

Then the gobo as the light modifier and the fixed lighting being at the right strength to where there was not too much whiteout became the focus for that element.

Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

Zandon De Waal

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

It captured a moment that was initially in a chaotic state with high emotions.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

It has definitely improved my choice of seeing fleeting moments.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

Framing.

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

No, but I wish I framed it a little better.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

Yes, Peter Lindbergh.

Social Media Handles:
Website: zandondewaal.com
Instagram: zandon_de_waal

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Roberto Carlos Castrejon-Perez

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

He is the crew coach at St. Albans High School, always smiling and leading the kids with a great attitude.

I wanted to make him outstanding with a profile picture.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

He was naturally smiling and showcasing his best attitude in front of the camera.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

I love the background light encompassing with the key and rim light added.

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

There was nothing to remove from the frame.

Like Carty said during the review, I should shot it with more air to the sides to prevent the claustrophobic feeling for his arms.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

I am still focusing on the work by Plato, Lipsky, and Rankin.

Social Media Handles:
Website: portraits-rc.com
Instagram: portraits.rc

Michael Walls

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

This picture stood out because the placement of the subject in the frame.

I also really liked that the action around the chainsaw and catching all of the debris from the tree and it displays his style of work clearly.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

As an editorial photographer, it was perfectly placed for a cover page, the companies brand was front and centre and the exposure was right to make a good photo.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

I feel that with how violent chainsaws can move, it looks like it is not moving at all and you can see the chaos it is causing with the debris of the tree flying out the side

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

I did get close enough to not show the houses the tree was in-between to cut out any distractions that would take the eye away from the business owner.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

Not really.

This was an unplanned shoot for a company that came to my house to cut down some trees and I seen they had no social media presence or website images.

So I worked a trade on the fly to provide them with images and save me some money on the tree project.

My coach Steve Carty influenced it by the training I receive in portfolio lab and making sure the subject is placed correctly for a cover page and the subject is tact sharp.

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy

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Sean Thomas

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

More than anything, it represents where I’m going.

As I build a new portfolio around people, lifestyle, and community, this image feels aligned with that vision.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

More than anything, it represents where I’m going.

As I build a new portfolio around people, lifestyle, and community, this image feels aligned with that vision.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

The expression and body language carried most of the weight.

By keeping the composition simple, the portrait was able to communicate character without relying on additional elements.

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

I avoided unnecessary distractions and focused on creating a clean portrait that allows the viewer to connect directly with the subject.

Simplicity became part of the storytelling.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

I recently did a deep dive through Steve Carty's body of work and paid close attention to how he uses simplicity, authenticity, and human connection to create meaningful portraits.

Social Media Handles:
Website: www.autoluximagery.com
Instagram: autoluximagery

Michael Stimatze

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

What made this my favourite from this shoot was the look on Amelia’s face.

Photographing babies is almost as much luck as skill.

They don’t take direction that well, after all.

I think she was as surprised as we were.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

The lighting was almost perfect.

I purchased a 72” umbrella for this shoot.

Newborn/baby photography typically uses a soft light.

I needed as much diffusion as I could get. This photo was pretty much what I was looking for.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

Mom propped her up and we expected that we would not get much time.

Then she held the pose for long enough that I could get a better frame.

The look she has on her face tells the story.

She was as surprised with this new to her position as any of us involved.

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

We used a blanket to create an almost seamless background so that there was a non-distracting background.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

I have been looking at several photographers recently that specialize in newborn/baby photography.

Anna Brandt is the biggest inspiration for this particular shot, though not the exact pose more so in the feel of the frame. Anna’s lighting has been my inspiration recently.

A local photographer, Melissa Donner, has been an influence.

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelstimatze.com
Instagram: mestimatze

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Malik Brand

What made this image the one that stayed with you after reviewing your work?

It was me applying everything that Carty has been hammering into my brain, and it was exactly what I was going for a strong, commercially viable portrait of the athlete.

How did you determine this photograph represented your current standard as a photographer?

I think Carty has helped with this, because I set the bar WAY higher than I used to, and the level of work I’ve been studying shows me what the Top 1% looks like.

So I am always looking to have work on par with them.

What details or decisions helped the image feel complete rather than simply visually strong?

I wanted to make sure I highlighted the fighter’s vibe and environment, but I also wanted it to look like an adidas ad, so the outfit was extremely important.

Was there anything you intentionally removed, simplified, or avoided to maintain clarity within the frame?

Well, his gym is still in progress, so we moved a lot of stuff out of the background.

But I also had to make sure that the tracksuit wasn’t wrinkled, so we really ironed and steamed that thing.

Was there a photographer, editorial campaign, or body of work that influenced your thinking while creating or selecting this image? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own perspective?

I’ve been studying a lot of Matt Hawthorne’s work.

I’ve also been looking at a lot of adidas and Nike ads as well.

Social Media Handles:
Website: malikbrandphotography.com
Instagram: Malik.a.brand

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Night photography changes the way photographers see.

Light becomes selective.
Timing becomes critical.
Small mistakes become obvious very quickly.

This week’s assignment challenged photographers to work within those limitations and use darkness as part of the image instead of something to overcome.

Some submissions chased brightness.

The strongest ones understood atmosphere.

For this assignment, photographers were asked to create images within their niche after dark.

They used ambient light, artificial light, or a combination of both to shape mood and attention.

Street lamps.
Neon spill.
Headlights.
Window glow.

The goal wasn’t simply to shoot at night.

It was to make the darkness feel intentional.

At night, photographers stop relying on light being available and start deciding where it matters most.

Why This Matters

Night photography forces photographers to become more aware of every decision they make.

Exposure.
Color balance.
Light placement.
Movement.
Atmosphere.

Everything becomes more noticeable in low light conditions.

Assignments like this strengthen technical control while also pushing photographers toward more cinematic and emotionally driven storytelling.

Because after dark, light isn’t just illumination.

It becomes part of the narrative.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what shooters must create for the following week.

For this assignment, members were challenged to create an image that highlights their specialty at night.

Participants were encouraged to use ambient and/or artificial light sources to shape their subject while demonstrating technical control, creativity, and atmosphere in low light conditions.

The objective wasn’t simply visibility.

It was mood, intention, and control.

One thing stood out immediately this week:

The strongest night images understood restraint.

Instead of overpowering the darkness, they used it selectively.

Thus, guiding attention exactly where it needed to go.

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Ozzy Stewart

What first drew your attention to this scene or subject at night?

What drew me in first was the balance between her calm presence and the energy of the city behind her.

The lights in the background created this soft atmosphere that immediately felt cinematic.

I wanted to keep that feeling while making sure she still felt grounded and natural within the frame.

How did you decide which light sources to embrace and which to minimize?

I treated the city lights more like atmosphere than the main subject.

I wanted them to add depth and mood without becoming distracting.

My focus was shaping the light on her in a clean and intentional way while still allowing the environment to exist naturally around her.

What technical challenge became most important to solve during this shoot?

The biggest challenge was balancing the exposure between the subject and the city lights.

I wanted to keep detail and softness in the background while still making her stand out naturally.

Finding that balance without making the lighting feel too artificial was the main focus.

How did darkness or shadow contribute to the mood of the final image?

The shadows gave the image space and helped simplify the frame.

Instead of revealing everything, the darkness allowed the light to feel more intentional.

I think that restraint helped create a quieter and more intimate mood.

Was there a photographer, film, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach to lighting or atmosphere? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

I’m inspired by editorial and cinematic portrait work that uses light in a quieter, more natural way.

I study photographers and films where the subject feels connected to the environment instead of completely separated from it.

With my own work, I try to balance refinement with authenticity.

I want the image to feel thoughtful and cinematic, but still comfortable, honest, and real to the person in front of the camera.

Social Media Handles:
Website: ozzystewart.com
Instagram: ozzy.stewart
Substack: Between Light & Shadow by Ozzy Stewart

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Jim Sinicki

What first drew your attention to this scene or subject at night?

I knew I wanted to shoot an image with layers when it came to this challenge.

I wanted something that told a story and wasn’t forcing the viewer to look into the void.

So I called my buddy Ryan, who is the director of Milwaukee’s East Side Improvement District and asked if he wanted to shoot a portrait at one of the artistic hang outs he’s helped curate over the past few years.

How did you decide which light sources to embrace and which to minimize?

I wanted to incorporate some of the art work that this spot is known for, so I threw a light on a mural over his right right shoulder.

To me that was the most important piece, a portrait has to have a reason, and I always thought scene and location play as important of a character as the main subject... otherwise why are you shooting there?

I also wanted to add in a little texture to the right hand side of the image so it didn’t feel too heavy on one side.

In order to do that I put another light to fill in some of the gas meters along the wall.

It wasn’t enough to tell what they were, but enough to give the viewer a feel.

What technical challenge became most important to solve during this shoot?

I was worried about keeping enough light not just on my subject but the scene all around.

In order to do that I shot the image a little more wide open than I typically would like, I don’t like shooting lower than f4 when it comes to portraits for the most part, but I decided to play it safe on this one just to get a little more environment into the image.

How did darkness or shadow contribute to the mood of the final image?

I’m a photographer who loves to shoot dark.

In fact most of my studio shots are heavy blacks and built off shadows, this was a lot of fun to shoot this dark on a bigger scale.

Was there a photographer, film, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach to lighting or atmosphere? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

I can’t talk about shooting dark and building shadows and light without mentioning one of my biggest influences, Robert Powell.

He’s a local photographer who took me under his wing when I first started really getting into lighting and studio work, he taught me good photographers build light, great photographers build shadow.

That’s really been the mindset for a lot of my work.

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo
Substack: Charlie James Photo

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Sonny Warren

What first drew your attention to this scene or subject at night?

I was drawn to the depth provided by the string lights and the architecture of the bridge.

How did you decide which light sources to embrace and which to minimize?

I knew I’d be using flash so I wanted the subject and path detail to pop but just keep a hint of skyline and the warmth of the string lights provided depth.

What technical challenge became most important to solve during this shoot?

Getting the timing right. I wanted right after golden hour but not too full dark so nailing the time was paramount.

How did darkness or shadow contribute to the mood of the final image?

I’m really give depth to the scene but also isolated the subject in a fun but dramatic way.

Was there a photographer, film, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach to lighting or atmosphere? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

I’m always looking at Jeff Lipsky for inspiration when I shoot lifestyle stuff

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Open Submission weeks tend to reveal more than expected.

Without a prompt directing the outcome, photographers are left with a different responsibility: deciding what deserves to represent their work.

Not the loudest image.
Not the newest one.
The strongest one.

That distinction shaped this week’s submissions.

Some photographs created immediate impact. Others gained strength through simplicity, restraint, and clarity the longer you stayed with them.

That staying power is difficult to fake.

For this assignment, photographers returned to Open Submission.

An exercise built entirely around selection and self-editing.

No creative brief.
No stylistic requirements.
No predefined subject matter.

Only one decision:

Which image best reflects your standard as a photographer?

A portfolio becomes stronger the moment you stop trying to include everything.

Why This Matters

Photographers often spend years developing technical ability, but far less time developing discernment.

Knowing when an image works and when it doesn’t, is its own skill.

Open Submission shifts the focus away from creating for approval and toward curating with intention.

It challenges photographers to evaluate their own work honestly and identify the images that communicate with clarity, confidence, and consistency.

Because professional portfolios are rarely defined by quantity.

They’re remembered for precision.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what shooters must create for the following week.

For this week, members returned to Open Submission.

Participants were invited to submit a single image that represents their strongest work.

A photograph capable of standing confidently on its own without relying on explanation or context.

At its core, Open Submission continues to revolve around one question:

Does this image belong in a portfolio?

The strongest submissions this week shared one thing in common:

Clarity.

Not just in composition or technique, but in intention.

The selected images felt resolved. Focused. Complete.

They knew exactly what they were trying to say and stopped there.

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Donna Crantshaw

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

I picked this image because Carty is always encouraging me to try something new, like changing up my angle or focusing more on the product’s texture.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

I really wanted the texture to come through, so I played with a bunch of angles and even tried a smear.

This one ended up being the strongest, vertical format and all.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

My goal was for the textured drip to instantly signal what the product is.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

I wanted a simple, distraction‑free background, so I used a softbox as the backdrop and framed it with black card strips to get that clean side highlight on the container.

The white surface below picked up the overhead continuous light and gave me the reflection at the bottom.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

There was a similar image on the Fenty site that had the drip that influenced me.

Social Media Handles:
Website: www.donnacrantshawphotography.com
Instagram: donnacrantshawphotography

Michael Walls

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

I really liked the angle of the shot and the details that were picked up on the outside the steak and the juices inside of it as well.

I feel that it would be an image that would stop the scroll and make the viewer want a steak for dinner.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

As soon as I seen it in the back of the camera.

I was working different angles going from top down, sides etc.

But this one stood out immediately as the winner when I loaded all the photos to the computer.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

I feel that almost filling the entire frame with the steak without any other distractions and focusing on the texture.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

I left out the entire table with the rest of the meal and made sure the steak was the star.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

This idea came from our inspiration class with Carty, he scrolled through several photographers and images.

During this class it opened my eyes to the possibilities of my portfolio that I am building.

It was perfect timing because I was planing on cooking steak the same night and it turned out to be the best looking photo in my portfolio so far.

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy

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Francis Jeffery

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

The fact that when I edited it the soft shadow was the difference maker.

I did get photos I thought were better but I wound up not having time to edit them and share them due to them being gotten later in the week and my work schedule, so I might submit one of them for a future open submission.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

When studied the perspective and realized it would be relatively easy for me to use the healing brush tool in Adobe Photoshop to rid the gap between sheets of paper and could make the background look virtually black apon moving Adobe Photoshop RAW sliders around.

I do believe I mistakenly handed in the wrong edited file because I swear that the black was virtually black instead of a textured black.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

The Color Palate, imaginary table.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

Specs of dirt that got on the bottle and sheets of paper that I cloned out in post production.

I wound up using constant lighting for the final image because my strobe lights were much brighter making the fibrous texture of the paper stand out.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

Yes and yes.

The reference image was the same composition except they used Old Spice deodorant instead of Coca-cola.

The colour palate was the same for each product so I thought I’d just use Coca-cola.

The Design also reminded me of the video game called Qbert so i thought I’d use abstract realism to make the caffeinated soda bottle look tall and lanky like that monster that goes after Qbert while he’s jumping on the blocks.

Social Media Handles:
Website: 500px.com/photogenicconnections
Instagram: francisjefferythebest
Instagram: scenery_michiana_portraits

Sean Thomas

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

This image represented a shift for me creatively.

Instead of focusing on the cars themselves, I focused on the people and the atmosphere surrounding the community.

It felt honest, relaxed, and naturally connected to car culture in a way that reflects the direction I want to continue exploring.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

The moment I noticed how naturally everyone “seemed” to be interacting with each other.

Basically, this frame doesn’t looked staged.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

I kept the composition simple and let the body language, spacing, and environment tell the story.

Including small details like the partial car framing, helped ground the image in car culture without needing the them to dominate the frame.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

I avoided over-editing or trying to make the scene feel more dramatic than it already was.

The goal was to create authenticity and a believable candid interaction.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

I’ve been studying more lifestyle and documentary driven automotive photography in general lately.

Especially work that prioritizes people, atmosphere, and culture over just the vehicles themselves.

Social Media Handles:
Website: www.autoluximagery.com
Instagram: autoluximagery

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Aleksandar Klasnja

Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

RC Castrejon-Perez

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

I love the coxswain look, all geared up!

It is not only about the rowers power, but the coxswain know how the get the best of each one of them, and this is the equipment help them to achieve the best of the team.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

It is not only the coxswain but also the gear to get the best of the rowers.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

In rowing, the coxswain is often underrepresented in sports photography, and I wanted to me her shine this time.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

Unfortunately, I cropped to tight to her knees and leave to little space to include the suit brand more at the center of the picture.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

I have been focusing on the portraiture by Platon, Lipsik, and Rankin.

Social Media Handles:
Website: portraits-rc.com
Instagram: portraits.rc

Hal Banfield

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

This was a very complex shoot from a standpoint of working with a team and the logistics involved.

We did not have a lot of time with this final setup, and this image was just one of a few I was considering for the assignment.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

Looking back at all that we had gathered from this setup, I knew for the assignment I would want to showcase as much of the model as possible in terms of featuring the styling and matching it to the vibe we were trying to capture on set.

With the limited time left on the clock, this image, in my opinion, turned out to be the strongest of the sequence.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

In collaboration with the team, I wanted to utilize the colors of the garment and incorporate the colour green into my background.

As the dress was made of sequins, and her nails had some sparkle to them, I decided hard light was going to be the way to go to really pick up the shimmer of the dress.

And at the last minute, I brought in a star reflector to try to catch some additional light reflections off the dress.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

There were a lot of extra items on set (chairs, ladders, props) that I felt were distracting.

I felt the dress and styling was enough of a story and had the items removed from the set.

My only wish is that we had more time with this look.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

A photographer I admire is Pari Dukovic.

I truly appreciate his use of motion through colour and light.

He also encourages his subjects to use their bodies, which I am working at incorporating into my own photo practice.

Social Media Handles:
Website: halbanphotography.com
Instagram: halbanphotography

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Khaligraphy

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Jim Sinicki

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

I love environmental portraits, and when I went into this job this was the first image I had in my mind.

I wanted to tell his story in a minimalistic way.

When you look at this image you know what he does for a living, but we don’t show him in the act.

This was the goal the entire time

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others from the shoot or series?

When I looked at this image in the back of the camera I just knew this was the one.

I knew I wouldn’t have to spend a ton of time editing it and I knew it wold tell his story.

What decisions helped the image communicate clearly without explanation?

Simplicity was a key as it is in all of my images.

I could have shown him tattooing someone one and I could have put a tattoo gun in his hand, but would that bring anymore to this photo than what we already see?

We can tell this is a tattoo artist and we can tell his passion for the art without it.

What did you intentionally leave out, simplify, or avoid to strengthen the photograph?

The extra noise.

Isolating the subject was the key.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret those ideas through your own style?

There’s a bunch of photographers who I channeled to make this image.

I tried to think back to the ones who I’ve seen do this style and I knew I wanted to go along the lines of high contrast and bold colours.

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo
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Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

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Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Some lifestyle photography out there looks staged.

This week exposed the difference between placing someone in a location and actually making the environment part of the story.

Some images used the setting.

Others lived in it.

That’s the difference.

Lifestyle photography can be described as ordinary people doing ordinary things shot in a stylistic way.

This week’s assignment, Lifestyle On Location, challenged photographers to blend their personal style with recognizable environments and authentic moments.

The goal wasn’t just to show a person, place, or object.

It was to create an image that feels believable.

If your lifestyle work feels disconnected, the problem usually isn’t the subject.

It’s the relationship between the subject and the environment.

Clients are looking for images that feel authentic, relatable, and grounded in real moments.

This assignment challenged photographers to think beyond aesthetics and focus on atmosphere, connection, and story.

Because the strongest lifestyle images don’t feel staged.

They feel lived in.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what shooters must create for the following week.

Here is the assignment exactly as it was shared:

“Create a single lifestyle driven image that blends your personal photographic style with a recognizable local setting.”

Participants were challenged to create images rooted in authenticity, using environment, timing, and storytelling to produce photographs clients could instantly connect with.

This week made one thing clear:

A location alone doesn’t create atmosphere.

The images that stood out used environment with intention, making the setting part of the story instead of just the backdrop.

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Jim Sinicki

What made this location important to the story or feeling behind the image?

I’ve been pushing a lot more small business branding and lifestyle work this year, part of that work is getting my clients in their field and shooting lifestyle.

There’s no better way to sell your business and your expertise than by showing people what you do.

How did you approach blending your subject with the environment in a natural way?

I honestly just let the client do what he does best.

I didn’t want to bother him too much, I didn’t want to get in his way.

I came up as a street photographer so I wanted to use the skills I developed in that medium and just be a fly on the wall that no one even realizes I’m there.

What decisions helped the image feel authentic rather than staged?

Like I said, I just let the client do his thing.

There’s nothing more authentic than reality.

On the back end I kept it natural, I didn’t want to edit too much, I wanted his work to be the star of the show.

What role did timing, lighting, or atmosphere play in the final result?

Really this was just capturing the moment as it happened.

We were working outside and he was between an AC unit and a house which made for nice even lighting.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret it through your own style?

One of my favourite workshops I ever took was with Valerie Jardin.

She taught me to move quietly and to not draw attention to myself while shooting street photography which isn’t easy... I’m 6’3” 310lbs, I’m noticeable to say the least. I used her teachings to stay out of the way and lock in.

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo
Newsletter: @charliejamesphoto

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William Sedgwick

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Website: www.sedgwick.pixpa.com
Instagram: will_sedgwick1

Michael Stimatze

What made this location important to the story or feeling behind the image?

The shoot was for a Senior Class photo session.

Reina, the subject of the photo, enjoys pottery and wanted to do the shoot there.

So from the jump the location was the key to the shoot.

How did you approach blending your subject with the environment in a natural way?

The location was perfect.

We moved the pottery wheel in front of the shelf with the finished products so that it was clear that we were in a pottery shop.

The unfortunate part was the over cast day.

They have a huge floor to ceiling wall of windows that should have given us perfect natural light at the time we were shooting.

Instead I had to use strobes trying to recreate that natural light.

What decisions helped the image feel authentic rather than staged?

The location made making it feel real simple.

She actually made the bowl while I shot.

The only thing staged about the shoot was positioning the wheel correctly and added the right light.

What role did timing, lighting, or atmosphere play in the final result?

As I said the original plan was to use the natural light from the wall of windows.

Otherwise the space set the atmosphere.

This photo could not have been made anywhere else.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret it through your own style?

My client and I used imaged we found on Pinterest as inspiration, really more for the mood than the actual photo.

The inspiration was really a product of the space and the owners of the shop.

There wasn’t one specific photographer that was referenced.

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelstimatze.com
Instagram: mestimatze

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Khaligraphy

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Steve Bourdeau

What made this location important to the story or feeling behind the image?

The location really sets the stage for the appreciation of the written word.

It makes sense that an author would be well read and I think that the final image resonates with writers and readers alike.

How did you approach blending your subject with the environment in a natural way?

This is the subject’s home library, so it was very easy for her to be at home.

We also landed on a fairly neutral outfit that fit the narrative and wasn’t too distracting while allowing for some separation from the rest of the scene.

What decisions helped the image feel authentic rather than staged?

A quick cleaning and rearrangement of the coffee table and a strategic placement of a throw blanket really cleaned up the image without falsely representing the personality that was already there.

The light was a crucial decision as well.

I took a battery powered studio strobe outside of the top half of a window and flagged the bottom half to give more directional shape while maintaining the look of natural window light.

Before that, it looked like light was coming from everywhere.

What role did timing, lighting, or atmosphere play in the final result?

This was a fairly controlled indoor environment, but I think if I chose to shoot when it was dark outside, the repeated flashes of the strobe may have been a nuisance to the neighbours.

Was there a photographer, campaign, or reference image that influenced your approach? What did you study, and how did you reinterpret it through your own style?

I can’t say that there was a specific photographer or image that influenced my approach.

I talk with the subject, learned about her many facets of life, and once she showed me her library, the image came to me.

Fortunately, I was able to make that image a reality.

Social Media Handles:
Website: stevebourdeau.com
Instagram: steve.bourdeau.photography

Sonny Warren

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

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Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Most photographers don’t struggle with taking photos.

They struggle with choosing the right one.

This week exposed a clear gap between creating images and recognizing which ones actually hold up.

Some submissions looked good.

A few stood on their own. That’s the difference.

What you choose to show defines how your work is seen.

This week’s assignment, Open Submission, removed the brief entirely.

No direction. No concept to lean on.

Just one decision: Which image represents your work at a professional level?

WHY THIS MATTERS

If your portfolio feels inconsistent, it’s rarely because you can’t shoot.

It’s because you’re not editing with intention.

Open Submission forces you into that role.

You’re no longer the photographer.

You’re the editor.

Deciding what stays. What goes. And what actually represents you.

This week made one thing clear:

Not every strong image belongs in a portfolio.

The ones that do, don’t need explanation. They hold.

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Khaligraphy

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

The moment was genuine.

Nothing was directed.

She’s was just being her joyful self, and that’s exactly what made it the perfect shot for me.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others?

I don’t see any one photo from this session that I’ve selected is stronger than the others.

There’s a balance between them that works together to tell the full story.

What decisions helped ensure the image holds on its own without explanation?

Given the challenges I was facing, choosing and shifting into the right compositions became a big part of the process.

What did you leave out or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

I stepped back from creative direction.

In that moment, it felt like I walked onto her set, and she was willing to let me work as long as I let her be herself and focus.

There wasn’t room for interruptions or adjustments, just the flow of what was already happening.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced this shot? What did you study, and how did you adapt it to your own style?

This session wasn’t something I prepared for.

No mood board, no setup.

It all happened spur of the moment.

Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy

Jessica Mendez

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IG: drjessicahughes

Sonny Warren

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

I was experimenting with long exposure rear curtain sync and I wanted show some more variety of technique in my portfolio.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others?

There is a quality with the ghosting of her arms that draws in the viewer and invites thought.

What decisions helped ensure the image holds on its own without explanation?

It is a strong image on it’s own because there is a journey and an attention that the dancer has that is compelling as a single image.

That said, it is part of a series.

What did you leave out or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

I had the model really simplify her movement.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced this shot? What did you study, and how did you adapt it to your own style?

It was more the technique than a specific photographer that I was studying.

I was using a mix of constant light and rear curtain sync with a long exposure to get movement and ghosting but also a sharp final image.

Social Media Handles:
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com
Instagram: sonnywarrenphoto

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RC Castrejon-Perez

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

I love the contrast between his skin and the dark background, and the subtle rim light on his right side.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others?

This was part of a set of rowers during my daughter’s regatta, and I felt a connection with the kid’s natural expression.

What decisions helped ensure the image holds on its own without explanation?

Simplicity.

What did you leave out or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

Overthinking the pose.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced this shot? What did you study, and how did you adapt it to your own style?

I have been observing in detail Platon, Rankin, and Lipsky.

I tried to adapt their simplicity to an outdoor setting, reducing background distractions and popping out the subject with soft Rembrandt lighting.

Social Media Handles:
Website: portraits-rc.com
Instagram: portraits.rc

Jim Sinicki

Social Media Handles:
Website: charliejamesphoto.com
Instagram: charlie_james_photo

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Denise Tuggle

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

This image was a complete reimagining of my previous submission, requiring me to revisit the concept and approach the assignment from a new creative perspective.

My first priority was refining the lighting.

I knew it needed to be crisp, clean, and carefully controlled in order to produce the strongest refraction and enhance both the water’s reflective qualities and the product itself.

Achieving the final image required balancing multiple elements, precise lighting, clean reflections, and dynamic splash movement that added energy without obscuring the product.

Ultimately, the final photograph was the result of thoughtful technical execution, careful product positioning, and a great deal of patience in timing each splash perfectly.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others?

I recognized the strength of this image when I successfully created a water splash that captured movement without overpowering the subject.

Through experimentation, I dropped a weighted object into the water using different techniques to generate the ideal amount of motion.

Just enough to create drama and visual interest, but controlled enough to keep the product clearly visible.

Since the water was intended to serve as the central character of the photograph, its movement needed to feel intentional and balanced.

Combined with tack-sharp focus on the product, that harmony between motion and clarity became the winning formula behind the final image.

What decisions helped ensure the image holds on its own without explanation?

A key decision was to focus equally on both movement and product clarity.

I wanted the image to present the product in a way that felt authentic to its natural environment while still maintaining a strong visual presence.

Conceptually, I explored the idea of the product interacting with moving water.

Capturing the energy of motion while keeping the product itself grounded and stable.

By keeping the product stationary and creating movement around it, I was able to emphasize both strength and elegance within a single frame.

What did you leave out or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

Simplification played an important role in strengthening the final composition.

I carefully controlled the water level in the tank to ensure there was enough volume to create impactful splash movement without overwhelming the frame.

I also streamlined my lighting setup, relying on one primary light, one spotlight, and a Neewer strobe with a five-burst sequence to freeze motion effectively.

By reducing unnecessary complexity in both setup and execution, I was able to focus on the essential elements of light, motion, and composition.

Resulting in a striking and memorable final photograph.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced this shot? What did you study, and how did you adapt it to your own style?

My strongest inspiration came from product imagery created by The Ordinary.

I was particularly drawn to their clean lighting techniques and the sophisticated way they capture motion in product photography.

I studied their use of water movement, reflections, and product placement, then adapted those visual principles through my own creative lens.

My goal was not simply to replicate the style, but to interpret it in a way that reflected my own artistic approach.

Combining strategic composition, technical precision, and a strong sense of visual storytelling.

Social Media Handles:
Website: denisetugglephotography.com
Instagram: denisetphotography

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Mike Howell

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Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A

Jason Young

What made this image the one you chose to stand behind this week?

It was my favourite photo of the shoot because it represents her well.

You can see her amazing skin, great eye contact, and her soft smile.

It’s intimate without being posed or overstylized.

At what point did you recognize this image was stronger than the others?

The lighting and the perfect depth of field stood out to me.

Also, the photo only needed a few minutes of post-processing to bring out the best in her and minimize any blemishes.

The compression afforded by the 70-200 lens worked out well, too.

What decisions helped ensure the image holds on its own without explanation?

It’s a very clean, standard headshot.

There’s no mistaking what this photo is and what it will be used for.

You want to know what she looks like? Here she is.

What did you leave out or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

I left out the busy background with a shallow depth of field and a low ISO setting, letting it fall off into darkness.

I filled the frame with her face, leaving plenty of headroom.

No other distractions in the frame were allowed.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced this shot? What did you study, and how did you adapt it to your own style?

I didn’t have a reference photo, but I tried to blend a commercial headshot and a studio portrait style.

I didn’t use diffusion on the 7-foot parabolic umbrella because I wanted a little more specularity and contrast to highlight her features.

That ended up being a nice lighting style that I will carry over to others when it suits them.

Social Media Handles:
Website: photojason.com
Instagram: jasonyoungphoto

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Most photographers don’t struggle with motion, they struggle with controlling it.

This week exposed a clear difference between capturing movement and shaping it into something intentional.

Some images felt reactive. Others felt deliberate. That’s the gap.

Motion exposes decisions behind the image like timing, control, and intent.

This week’s assignment, Capture Motion in Your Niche, challenged photographers to move beyond simply recording action and instead create images that communicate movement with clarity and control.

Because motion, on its own, isn’t enough.

It has to serve the image.

Why This Matters

If your motion shots feel inconsistent, it’s usually not the subject, it’s the decision-making.

Shutter speed. Timing. Framing.

All working together….or not.

This assignment forced photographers to make those decisions deliberately, whether freezing a moment or allowing movement to flow through the frame.

That’s what separates an image that feels alive from one that feels accidental.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what shooters must create for the following week.

Participants were asked to create a photograph that expresses motion within their niche, whether through people, environments, or products.

The goal was to translate movement into a single frame while maintaining clarity, intention, and control.

This week made one thing clear:

Not all motion strengthens an image.

The photographs that stood out weren’t just moving, they were controlled.

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Jim Sinicki

What type of motion were you aiming to capture, and what made it important to the image?

I wanted to show motion without going overboard or making it look like I was trying too hard.

I know how to shoot rear sync and I know to shoot with motion blur, but I felt like This image didn’t need it, I like to keep things simple and I feel like I stayed true on this one.

How did you decide whether to freeze the motion or allow it to flow through the frame?

I shot probably about 100 images like this, I’m pretty sure my partner in this whole thing was tired of doing leg kicks, some had blur and some were frozen.

Like I said at the end of the day I wanted to keep it simple.

What technical decisions (camera settings, setup, etc.) played the biggest role in achieving the final result?

Carty challenged me a while back to get comfortable with hard light.

This is something I haven’t used a ton of in the past and I felt like this was an opportunity to give it a shot.

How did you ensure the motion enhanced the image rather than distracting from the subject?

The motion had to be the star of the show in this image.

I wanted to make sure we were isolated from the city around us.

So we found what might be the slowest street in the busiest part of the city and it all worked out for us.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced your approach to capturing motion? If so, what stood out most and how did you reinterpret it in your own way?

Absolutely! I’ve been in love with the work of Omar Robles.

The way he photographs dancers in busy locations is another level of madness.

It’s beautiful and chaotic at the same time.

I don’t know how to dance, like... at all, but ever since I saw his image of the dancer essentially floating in the streets of Manhattan I knew I wanted to do something similar.

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IG: charlie_james_photo
Website: www.charliejamesphoto.com

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Aleksandar Klasnja

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N/A

Denise Tuggle

What type of motion were you aiming to capture, and what made it important to the image?

The motion I aimed to capture was water, which I chose for both its visual power and symbolic connection to skincare.

Water photography is a dynamic artistic expression that requires precision and control, making it an exciting creative challenge.

I selected water because it naturally reinforces themes of purity, freshness, and cleanliness, while also adding strength, energy, and elegance to the overall composition.

As a motion element, it helped elevate the product and create a more compelling visual story.

How did you decide whether to freeze the motion or allow it to flow through the frame?

I experimented with multiple shutter speeds, each producing a different interpretation of movement.

After testing several approaches, I decided that allowing the motion to flow naturally through the frame created the strongest visual impact.

By opting for a slower shutter speed, I was able to emphasize the fluidity of the water, creating graceful movement around the product that added energy, softness, and dimension to the final image.

What technical decisions (camera settings, setup, etc.) played the biggest role in achieving the final result?

For this image, I photographed using a Nikon D850 at f/16, 1/160 sec, ISO 100, which provided sharp detail, strong depth of field, and clean image quality.

Lighting played a critical role in achieving the final result.

I used a Neewer strobe with a five-burst setting to capture the movement of the water while maintaining crisp detail within the splash.

I also incorporated one Neewer spotlight and one Neewer continuous light, which helped build depth, highlight texture, and create a smooth, polished finish on the product.

The combination of controlled lighting and motion capture allowed me to emphasize both the product and the surrounding movement in a balanced, visually engaging way.

How did you ensure the motion enhanced the image rather than distracting from the subject?

To ensure the motion enhanced rather than distracted from the product, I carefully composed the shot with the product positioned intentionally within the frame before introducing movement.

Through repeated testing, I developed a strong sense of timing and placement, allowing me to predict how the product would interact with the water.

While there were several possible approaches, I chose to drop the product into the water to create a larger, more dramatic splash.

This method produced motion that framed the product naturally, drawing attention toward it rather than away from it, and ultimately strengthened the overall composition.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced your approach to capturing motion? If so, what stood out most and how did you reinterpret it in your own way?

A key visual reference that influenced my approach was imagery from The Ordinary.

What stood out to me most was the brand’s ability to present skincare in a clean, minimal, and authentic way while still creating striking visual impact.

That inspired me to explore water as a motion element because it naturally complements the product’s identity and reinforces its connection to purity and skincare.

In my own interpretation, I focused on creating a more dynamic, immersive moment, using water not only as a symbolic element, but also as a source of movement, texture, and energy that enhanced the product’s authentic presentation.

Social Media Handles:

IG: denisetphotography
Website: denisetugglephotography.com

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Sonny Warren

What type of motion were you aiming to capture, and what made it important to the image?

The subject is a dancer, so I looked to capture the grace and ease of motion that she has.

How did you decide whether to freeze the motion or allow it to flow through the frame?

I am a portrait photographer, I wanted her face to be sharp and not overshadowed by intentional camera movements or motion blur, so, that is why I decided to freeze the motion.

What technical decisions (camera settings, setup, etc.) played the biggest role in achieving the final result?

Fast shutter speed with studio strobe to freeze the motion.

How did you ensure the motion enhanced the image rather than distracting from the subject?

I had to take the shot many times to capture the best combination of movement, facial expression and focus so the image works.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced your approach to capturing motion? If so, what stood out most and how did you reinterpret it in your own way?

Richard Avedon mostly.

The way he freezes full body motion on white seamless for many of his subjects.

Social Media Handles:

IG: sonnywarrenphoto
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com

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Allison Diller

What type of motion were you aiming to capture, and what made it important to the image?

I wanted to show the sawdust being kicked up by a drill.

How did you decide whether to freeze the motion or allow it to flow through the frame?

I was practicing intelligent imitation, and the motion was frozen in my reference image.

What technical decisions (camera settings, setup, etc.) played the biggest role in achieving the final result?

For this image, I knew setup was crucial.

In order to get sharp focus on a moving object while using macro lenses, I had to make sure nothing moved laterally in the image.

This led me to screw the board I was working with into my workbench, so it wouldn’t shift as I was working on it.

How did you ensure the motion enhanced the image rather than distracting from the subject?

I placed my subject center-frame and focused directly on it.

Was there a photographer or reference image that influenced your approach to capturing motion? If so, what stood out most and how did you reinterpret it in your own way?

I looked at Dan Schrock’s work.

While the reference image I pulled from him is beautiful, he added dust swirling around the drill bit.

The photoshop work was obvious.

Given the AI era we’re now working in, it’s crucial to have images that don’t look “worked-on.”

For this reason, I didn’t mimic that aspect of his image.

Social Media Handles:

IG: allisondiller
Website: allisondiller.com

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

This week, we return to Open Submissions, where the focus shifts from creating to selecting.

With no brief to guide the process, photographers were asked to make a decision:
which image best represents their work at a professional level.

Not just a strong photograph, but one that holds its weight, communicates clearly, and stands without explanation.

There is almost nothing more revealing than an open submission, it shows what a photographer is willing to stand behind.

Why This Matters

Open Submission is a test of judgment.

It challenges photographers to move beyond shooting and into selecting images that reflect clarity, consistency, and intent.

This is where portfolios are built.

The ability to recognize your strongest work is what separates progression from repetition.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what members must create for the following week.

Here is the assignment as it was shared:

“Open Submissions, submit your strongest image.
Ask yourself one question: does this belong in a portfolio?”

Participants were invited to submit a single photograph that represents their highest standard.

Aleksandar Klasnja

Social Media Handles:

N/A

Mike Howell

What made this image stand out to you as the one worth submitting this week?

This is a re-shoot to correct lay-out errors and some post work.

What decisions helped ensure the image communicates clearly on its own?

Two page spreads are to work as stand alone as well as paired.

Brand identity anchors the shot with new products highlighted as well.

What did you intentionally remove or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

Aluminum puts off a glare like a mirror.

I used Matt spray to remove that.

Then grouping the OG labels separately from new flavours simplified the “recognition” aspect of the product.

Where do you see this image living within your portfolio or professional work?

It will be ongoing. I’d like to make more images and complete a series for Red Bull.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

Karl Taylor’s layout and lighting influence was paramount.

Carty’s critique brought even more accuracy and detail to the re-shoot.

Social Media Handles:

N/A

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Natalie Bennett

Social Media Handles:

IG: nataliabennettphoto
Website: nataliaphoto.kavyar.site
Wedding Website: photographybynatalia.lightfolio.com

Sonny Warren

What made this image stand out to you as the one worth submitting this week?

This image was one in a set of many in this profile shoot.

I felt it offered the most activity and context of location and for the musician.

The energy captured the spirit of the shoot.

What decisions helped ensure the image communicates clearly on its own?

The choice of location offered the best possible story telling with this shoot.

What did you intentionally remove or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

I stuck to one light and one lens to simplify setup.

Where do you see this image living within your portfolio or professional work?

This was one image of a set profiling the musician.

I see this living as an example of my editorial portrait style on location.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

I was referencing both Jeff Lipsky and Sissela Johansson

Social Media Handles:

IG: sonnywarrenphoto
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com

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Denise Tuggle

What made this image stand out to you as the one worth submitting this week?

This week’s assignment is a continuation of the double-page spread series.

The image I selected stood out due to the strategic addition of the product on the right side, which helped create a stronger sense of visual balance within the composition.

This adjustment was intentionally designed to enhance the overall layout, guiding the viewer’s eye more effectively across the page and reinforcing the cohesive aesthetic of the final presentation.

What decisions helped ensure the image communicates clearly on its own?

The primary decision that ensured the image communicated clearly on its own was the use of symmetry within the overall composition.

I intentionally applied a balanced, structured approach to create a visually complete layout without overcrowding the frame.

This allowed the image to feel cohesive while also leaving space for potential copy, ensuring both clarity and versatility in its final use.

What did you intentionally remove or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

I simplified the composition by maintaining a consistent set of elements throughout the frame to preserve a cohesive aesthetic.

Rather than introducing additional components, I focused on refining the lighting balance to enhance the image.

By incorporating deeper shadows, I was able to create greater dimension and contrast, which added visual interest and elevated the overall look and feel of the photograph.

Where do you see this image living within your portfolio or professional work?

I see this image as part of a cohesive series within my professional portfolio.

It represents a continuation of a concept that evolved into a more fully realized visual direction.

The double-page spread format is particularly valuable, as it demonstrates not only technical execution but also the ability to develop and expand a creative concept into a broader campaign.

This work reflects my capacity to think strategically and build visually compelling narratives that support brand identity.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

The primary influence for this project was the campaign style of “The Ordinary.”

Their visual approach is consistently clean, minimal, and product-focused.

This aesthetic prioritizes clarity and balance by eliminating unnecessary distractions, allowing the product to remain the central focus.

I drew inspiration from this philosophy to create a composition that communicates a clear and refined message.

Social Media Handles:

IG: denisetphotography
Website: denisetugglephotography.com

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Mike Walls

Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com

Zandon De Waal

What made this image stand out to you as the one worth submitting this week?

It was a creative Idea and a risky one at that.

What decisions helped ensure the image communicates clearly on its own?

Creativity and the wow factor, stopping the scroll.

What did you intentionally remove or simplify to strengthen the photograph?

Removing the pressure and having fun.

Where do you see this image living within your portfolio or professional work?

Portfolio and professional.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

No.

Social Media Handles:

IG: zandon_de_waal

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

Most photographers know how to take photos.

Fewer know how to create images that represent a brand.

This week, photographers were challenged to produce a campaign-ready image inspired by ADIDAS, translating the brand’s “YOU GOT THIS” message through their own niche.

The objective wasn’t just to make a strong photograph, it was to create something that could live inside a real campaign.

A campaign image is truly demanding, it must communicate clearly while carrying the weight of a brand.

Why This Matters

Commercial photography requires more than technical skill.

It demands clarity, intention, and the ability to align your creative decisions with a brand’s identity.

This assignment challenged photographers to think beyond personal work.

To have them consider how an image communicates energy, confidence, and purpose within a larger visual system.

Learning to shoot at a campaign level strengthens your ability to create work that is not only visually strong, but commercially viable.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what members must create for the following week.

Here is the assignment as it was shared:

“This week’s assignment: Shoot an ADIDAS Advertising Photo in Your Niche.”

Participants were asked to create a single campaign-ready photograph that embodies ADIDAS’s “YOU GOT THIS” spirit.

Photographers were encouraged to draw from their niche while aligning with the brand’s visual language, focusing on clarity, strong composition, premium lighting, and confident execution.

The goal was to produce an image that could realistically function within a commercial campaign.

Michael Walls

What was the core idea or message you wanted your image to communicate within the ADIDAS “YOU GOT THIS” theme?

With this photo, I wanted to come from an angle of the coach or a teammate standing on the sidelines with the athlete that is focusing on the opponent across the field.

I feel that this would be time the coach or teammate would be hyping the athlete up by saying “YOU GOT THIS”.

What decisions helped elevate this image to feel like a campaign-level photograph?

With this double page spread, I wanted to make sure that the athlete was placed in a way to see the focus in her eyes and have the Adidas logos on the jacket being the star on that side of the spread.

What lighting or technical approach played the biggest role in achieving a premium, commercial look?

It was shot in natural light on a cloudy day as a storm was moving in.

I believe that it helped take away the harshness of the sun and added a more dramatic background to the scene.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

The references came from the YOU GOT THIS Adidas ad campaign they previously ran.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

The references I used were tight focused on the athletes head and shoulder area.

So for my image I wanted to give the scene more room to breathe and to show more of the surroundings to include the white sideline on ground to give the feeling that they’re actually on the soccer field with the athlete.

Social Media Handles:

Website: michaelwallsphotography.com

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Donna Crantshaw

What was the core idea or message you wanted your image to communicate within the ADIDAS “YOU GOT THIS” theme?

My goal was to communicate that whatever the moment calls for, work, play, or school, you’ve got this.

What decisions helped elevate this image to feel like a campaign-level photograph?

After testing multiple approaches to photographing the bag, I realized none of them were delivering the look I wanted.

I ultimately chose a double‑page flatlay and left the right page empty to give Adidas room for any copy.

What lighting or technical approach played the biggest role in achieving a premium, commercial look?

I went with hard light specifically to get those bold, sculpted shadows that give the image more presence.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

The only examples I could track down were either someone wearing the bag across their back or a simple product shot on a white background.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

Since the Adidas Utility 3.0 is a small crossbody bag, I just incorporated props to elevate it and make it pop within the composition.

Social Media Handles:

IG: donnacrantshawphotography
Website: www.donnacrantshawphotography.com

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Sonny Warren

What was the core idea or message you wanted your image to communicate within the ADIDAS “YOU GOT THIS” theme?

I knew immediately that I wanted to have Anita as my subject for this photo.

She embodies the “YOU GOT THIS” spirit.

I knew with her I could capture a spirit of determination and grit.

What decisions helped elevate this image to feel like a campaign-level photograph?

Keeping the branding front and centre and the subject being an athlete gave authenticity.

I really worked the location and the subject keeping the slogan as the driving inspiration.

What lighting or technical approach played the biggest role in achieving a premium, commercial look?

Using artificial light on location at an outdoor shoot gives it an editorial punch.

The styling and branding being cohesive as well.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

I just researched the current ADIDAS “YOU GOT THIS” campaign and made an image that I thought would fit in that style, but stand out as well.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

I shot through the location until I got something strong and unique.

Social Media Handles:

IG: sonnywarrenphoto
Website: sonnywarrenphoto.com

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Zandon De Waal

What was the core idea or message you wanted your image to communicate within the ADIDAS “YOU GOT THIS” theme?

To sell and appeal to potential buyers.

What decisions helped elevate this image to feel like a campaign-level photograph?

Lighting and Carty’s advise.

What lighting or technical approach played the biggest role in achieving a premium, commercial look?

I wanted a clean look so any discrepancies between the lighting and shadows wouldn’t have the same effect to what I wanted.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

Yes.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

Using my own approach to the lighting and using the same position for the product.

Social Media Handles:

IG: zandon_de_waal

Shelby Davis

What was the core idea or message you wanted your image to communicate within the ADIDAS “YOU GOT THIS” theme?

The core idea I wanted to communicate was a feeling of effortless confidence, freedom and cool within the “You Got This” theme.

What decisions helped elevate this image to feel like a campaign-level photograph?

I wanted the word “Samba” to be visually visible and sharp.

I wanted the shoes to pop against the background so the viewer had no mistake what was being showcased.

What lighting or technical approach played the biggest role in achieving a premium, commercial look?

Compositing the photo so that an otherwise difficult shot was achievable was key.

I shot the legs in studio with my model and flipped them in post-production to get the levitating look I wanted.

Was there a campaign, photographer, or reference image that influenced your approach?

I referenced a Nike ad campaign.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

While my reference focused on vintage nostalgia, I shifted the mood to clean, contemporary coolness.

I made the Samba’s the star of the photo allowing the shoe to speak for itself.

Social Media Handles:

IG: svp_xo

Professional feedback will change your reality. Joining Portfolio Lab is the only way.

👉🏾 Carty a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

👉🏾 Masterclass Level Photography Business Education from a 36yr Pro 👈🏾 on YouTube

See work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Work with him 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com

Subscribe to The Carty Method Magazine to see the best new photographers from all over the world level up right before your eyes. Weekly photographer transformations are happening right now.

Become a smarter photographer in 5 minutes a week by Subscribing to CARTY on The Carty Method - Substack.

Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.

Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine

This week, we returned to Open Submission, an opportunity for photographers to present work that reflects their strongest creative voice.

With no brief to follow, the focus shifts to selection.

Members were asked to choose a single image that stands on its own, a photograph defined by clarity, intention, and professional standard.

Open Submission weeks aren’t about execution.

They’re about judgment.

Choosing the image that best represents your work.

There is nothing more revealing than an open submission, it shows what a photographer is willing to stand behind.

Why This Matters

Growth in photography isn’t only about creating images, it’s also about knowing which ones matter.

Open Submission challenges photographers to think like editors, selecting work that demonstrates clarity, consistency, and purpose.

This process sharpens visual standards and builds the discipline required to curate a portfolio that communicates both professionalism and identity.

Assignment Brief

At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief, outlining exactly what members must create for the following week.

For this week, members returned to Open Submission.

Participants were invited to submit a single photograph that represents their strongest work.

An image that communicates clearly and stands confidently on its own.

Open Submission is guided by one simple question:

Does this image belong in a portfolio?

Ozzy Stewart

What made this image strong enough, in your mind, to belong in a portfolio?

It felt intentional all the way through.

There’s a balance between something polished and something real.

For me, portfolio work should show a clear vision and consistency and this image does that without relying on anything distracting.

When reviewing your own work, what separates a good image from one you would confidently present at a professional level?

A good image can have strong elements like nice light or a good expression, but a professional mage feels complete.

Everything works together.

The lighting, pose, styling and emotion are done with intention.

I look for images where nothing feels random.

If I can see the decisions behind it and it still feels effortless, that’s when I consider it portfolio worthy.

What decisions did you make to ensure clarity and intention in this photograph?

I focused on keeping things simple.

The light was soft and directional to shape.

The wardrobe was neutral so the attention would remain on the subject and the background was clean and not distracting.

I also paid attention to little details like hair movement, hand placement and expression so that it feels natural.

Was there a specific photographer or reference image that influenced this photograph?

I am inspired by photographers who focus on clean, timeless portraiture and natural light.

That influence shows up in the simplicity of the frame and the focus on subtle expression.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

I didn’t try to copy anything directly.

I focused more on the feeling those images created, which felt honest and refined and then I just applied that to my shoot.

Social Media Handles:

IG: ozzy.stewart
Website: ozzystewart.com

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Lyncia Taylor

What made this image strong enough, in your mind, to belong in a portfolio?

I was try to follow the tips that Carty gave me and apply them to my work.

When reviewing your own work, what separates a good image from one you would confidently present at a professional level?

For me, not much.

My goal is for every photo that I create to be on a “professional” level.

What decisions did you make to ensure clarity and intention in this photograph?

The lighting and the aperture.

And also I wanted the background to be something different.

Was there a specific photographer or reference image that influenced this photograph?

Nothing and no one specific.

I just thought the location would fit his style.

And I like to use graffiti in a lot of my work as a backdrop.

I Love the aesthetic.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

I like to just look through images any and everywhere.

I may have seen something similar online or in a magazine but I am always looking.

Social Media Handles:

IG: essentialsoulphotography

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Roberto Carlos Castrejon-Perez

Social Media Handles:

IG: portraits.rc
Website: portraits-rc.com

Mira Lee

What made this image strong enough, in your mind, to belong in a portfolio?

It tells a story about the small business owner and her work.

By showing what she is passionate about, this image connects with the right people.

The composition and light feel natural and clean.

It has all the information it needs while nothing is overdone.

When reviewing your own work, what separates a good image from one you would confidently present at a professional level?

For me, it’s about how focus and clarity.

A strong photo has a clear message, clean visuals, and nothing in the frame that distracts from what matters.

It should also make you feel something or spark curiosity and connect on a personal level.

What decisions did you make to ensure clarity and intention in this photograph?

I carefully thought about how to present this small business owner’s personal brand in the strongest way: how can I show her work, her passion, and the value she brings across?

Was there a specific photographer or reference image that influenced this photograph?

There was no external influence.

I worked closely with her to really understand her business and intentions, and created a series of images that tell her brand story visually.

How did you interpret that influence while still making the image your own?

In this photoshoot, I wasn’t influenced by other photographers, but by the information I gathered from my client.

Based on that story, I developed ideas with a strong message and executed them in my own creative style.

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