I help photographers who are ready to stop playing small.

If you’re stuck in a 9-5, dreaming about getting paid for your creativity but not sure how to make it happen—I’ve built my career to help you do exactly that.

I’ve been a working photographer for 34 years.

I’ve made pictures for Nike and Apple.

I’ve photographed A-listers for major magazines.

I’ve built a creative life on my terms—and I’ve helped hundreds of photographers in person and thousands online make that same shift from stuck to working pro.

I started out shooting models.

That led to editorial work, which led to portraits, then campaigns.

The only constant? I kept evolving.

And that’s what I teach photographers like you to do: evolve into someone who gets paid for their ideas.

Since 1995, I’ve been helping photographers who have the talent—but not yet the systems—to finally start getting paid.

I do it through coaching, live reviews, assignments, and a system I’ve refined over three decades called The Carty Method.

I’ve completely rebuilt my life, business and bank account by changing my mindset.

If I can do that, I mean really transform how I think, how I work, and what I believe is possible, there’s no reason why you can’t as well.

I’m not here to motivate you.

If you need an external source to “motivate” you to do things, that’s a much bigger problem.

I try to steer clear of people that need to be motivated.

I’m here to guide you.

Step by step.

So let’s get into something that’s overlooked but absolutely critical.

Organizing your creative life and your actual life as a working professional.

Your digital clutter, disorganized workflow, or chaotic apartment might be the very thing slowing down your success.

Step 1: Declutter Your Digital World

Back it up.

No excuses.

Use the 3, 2, 1 system.

3 copies of everything.

2 different media types

1 off site.

Use cloud storage, external drives, or both.

Set a recurring weekly backup.

Lose a shoot once, and you’ll never forget again.

Systematize your folders.

Organize by year > client > project.

Inside each: RAWs, edits, invoices, contracts.

No more hunting for files when a client calls.

Clear your desktop.

A messy desktop = mental clutter.

Use tools like Fences or Stacks.

Clean space, clean head.

Scrub your drives.

Use apps like CleanMyMac or CCleaner to delete junk, duplicates, and old downloads.

Upgrade your systems.

If something’s inefficient—fix it.

Buy the software.

Take the course.

You’re a business now.

Invest like one.

Level up your skills.

Don’t know how to use Lightroom’s new masking tools?

Learn.

Need to write SEO for your site?

Learn.

Don’t wait.

Mastery moves the needle.

Step 2: Streamline Your Creative Workflow

Use project boards.

Tools like Notion, and Indy (what I use) keep you organized.

Plan shoots, track deliverables, follow up on leads—all in one place.

I have the best call sheet in the industry.

I use a habit tracker to track my days and weeks.

I template emails that have worked and resend them to new clients.

Automate the boring stuff.

Automate it once, save hours forever.

Templates = time saved.

Pre-write your contracts, emails, invoices.

Use HelloSign or Adobe Sign for digital delivery.

You’re not winging it anymore.

Editing system, locked.

Culling.

Adjusting.

Stylizing.

Done.

Make your own presets or create repeatable workflows to shave hours off every job.

Step 3: Take Control of Your Inbox

Set inbox hours.

Email is not your boss.

Check it twice a day—max.

Sort with filters.

Label by client, invoice, lead, or community.

Let the algorithm organize for you.

Unsubscribe aggressively.

If it doesn’t move your business forward, ditch it.

Use Unroll.Me to do it in bulk.

Step 4: Clean Up Your Real Life

Set working hours.

Communicate them.

Enforce them.

Clients will respect the boundaries you set.

Prioritize your health.

A foggy brain can’t make brilliant work.

Eat better.

Sleep better.

Move more.

You’re the machine—treat yourself like high-end gear.

Book your downtime.

Schedule it like a shoot.

Burnout is real, and rest is productive.

Declutter one space at a time.

Tidy space, tidy mind.

Donate what you don’t use.

Organize with intent.

Step 5: Clean Your Kitchen, Your Fridge, and Your Mind

Purge expired junk.

Fridge, pantry, cabinets.

Clean it out.

Label everything.

Clear bins, dated leftovers.

Visibility = better habits.

Create functional zones.

Just like your studio, your kitchen needs structure: prep, cook, clean.

Keep it smooth.

Step 6: Create a Workspace You Actually Want to Be In

Functional, not fancy.

A cluttered desk kills flow.

Keep only what you use.

Store the rest.

Ergonomics matter.

Good chair.

Proper monitor height.

Comfortable workflow = fewer back problems and longer focus.

Make it yours.

Hang your own work.

Add a plant.

Use a candle.

The more you love your space, the more time you’ll want to spend there.

Clean weekly.

Set a reminder.

Dust, wipe, reset.

You reset your workspace, you reset your headspace.

Step 7: Tame the Paper Monster

File like a pro.

Taxes, contracts, receipts—each gets a folder.

Go digital where possible.

Purge regularly.

Shred the old stuff.

Make space for new business.

Store your essentials.

IDs, passports, client releases—get a fireproof safe.

You’re not just a shooter.

You’re a business owner.

Bottom Line

If you want to make photography your living, your systems and your space need to match your ambition.

Clean your space.

Tighten your tools.

Dial in your workflow.

You’ll be shocked at how much more clarity, confidence, and creativity you unlock when you’re organized—digitally and physically.

👉🏾 Ready to take the next step toward becoming a working photographer?

Start by cleaning your space.

And if you’ve got systems that keep you sharp, I want to hear them.

Drop them in the comments.

Let’s all level up together.

Thanks for being a supporter. See you next Saturday for another paid post.

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