I’ve been posting every Saturday here on Substack for almost 3 years.

Of all the things I’ve written here on The Carty Method Substack, this one was the best received.

My posts paywall after a couple of weeks, so if you’re not a paid subscriber you likely missed this one.

I’m truly passionate about this craft, I’ve been a working pro for 35 years.

And nothing makes me happier than sharing what I’ve learned.

I hope these words bring you joy and clarity.

If you’re a photographer on the rise or a shooter that is currently in process of finding your niche your style and your way in this industry, making photographs every day within a niche is the fastest way to move yourself into positive habits and training yourself to be creative on demand.

As pro creatives, we don’t get sick days. We don’t get to mail anything in when it comes to client work, we have to be at our best at a moments notice.

When we make it a habit to make new photographs daily within our niche, it’s possible to create the same amount of work in 12 weeks that an average photographer would take a year to create.

Not only does shooting every day sharpen your creative sword, it also creates a body of work in your wake that is undeniable, valuable and unmistakable yours.

When you shoot this way with this velocity and passion, not only are you smashing out your portfolio, you are creating positive habits, discipline and focus.

You’re prioritizing your career over all else. You’re making yourself a creative machine.

How far ahead of your competition would you be if you chose this radical path?

Imagine if you chose to shoot everyday, how fast do you think your success would come? How far could you take the smallest creative opportunity or opening?

1. Photography improves self-care habits.

Doctors from the University of Sheffield made a study that revealed how making pictures daily and sharing them with others can actually improve self-care.

Doing something new develops into a new habit.

The process is therapeutic and makes a person feel refreshed. It also keeps the brain busy by making it think of creative photos to take every day.

2. Photography encourages interaction.

Making valuable connections significantly improves a person’s well-being.

Taking pictures and sharing them to a community, helps you meet new people with the same interests.

Photography becomes a common ground that can spark conversations, make connections and eventually find support to fight the feeling of loneliness us creatives often feel.

3. Photography can help you remember the joys of life.

Photographs capture unique moments.

The pictures that you make can help bring back memories from the past and all the positive thoughts that are with it.

This is mainly the reason why most people who are feeling sad or depressed usually look through old pictures.

It is an effective method to somehow lift up the mood.

4. Photography provides a beautiful vision of the world

Every picture tells a different story.

Taking pictures lets you see a unique beauty that you will only get to appreciate as you look through your camera.

It allows you to discover your environment without even meaning to.

The greatest thing about it is that photos let you freeze the beauty that you see as you take new photos of the world around you.

5. Photography keeps the brain in great shape.

The brain also gets old and photography is a good exercise to keep the brain healthy.

According to research by Professor Denise C. Park from the University of Texas, photography is a highly cognitive activity.

In her study, participants who engaged in digital photography were able to enhance and improve their episodic memory and reasoning skills.

6. Photography can help the body get moving.

Outdoor photography pretty much requires people to go outside and walk around.

This allows the body to burn more calories, especially if you need to climb a tree, crouch down toward a subject, jog ahead or partake in any other physical activity that keeps the body in motion.

Even if you don’t, even just lugging camera gear around can be great bonus exercise during a long walk.

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7. You get to enjoy what you love even more.

It is natural for a photographer to take photos of something that interests them.

It becomes an enjoyable experience to see your interests in a different perspective.

It also gives you a rewarding feeling that can boost your happiness more.

When you shift your mindset to “making pictures” instead of taking pictures by adding idea executions it takes your work to a new level.

You can achieve this by slowing down, being deliberate, removing distractions by adjusting your horizon line and shooting through the picture.

I used this technique in Teotihuacán to capture work I can frame and share.

8. Photos are positive mood stimulants.

According to a study titled The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature, Art therapy can help reduce cortisol, a hormone that can cause stress in the human body.

Photography is art, and making a good picture can therefore make a person feel relaxed.

Making positive photos lets you see the world differently and will keep you motivated.

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9. Photography improves creativity.

Activating the brain through photography is possible because it does not only awaken creativity.

It actually lets the brain process different thoughts and encourages the body to translate its emotions into photos.

This activity also promotes curiosity and gives you the courage to try out different techniques to improve every shot.

10. Photography gives you a sense of direction.

Years after the pandemic, people are still scared about the uncertainty of the coming days.

Photography somehow eases you out of the daunting thoughts by making you look forward to what you will shoot next.

Instead of brooding, making photos lets you enjoy each moment, encouraging positivity and getting you excited for the next day that you will make new photos.

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Having the discipline to shoot daily is a lot. But if you’re a new shooter or a shooter that is currently under used, under valued and not making the money you need to, sitting on your hands and “hoping work comes” just doesn’t work.

I’ve done that. Even with my 33 years of experience, I still need to shoot, stay sharp and put myself out there. I still need to reach out, call out and send new work to anyone that I hope to be on the radar of.

This process never stops. This industry isn’t a static thing. It’s a rushing river, ever changing and evolving, always carving out new areas.

As a photographer, if we choose to be static, the industry just rushes past us and it’s nearly impossible to catch any momentum or waves.

How we become dynamic and moving “with the industry” is by constantly making work that moves.

That moving work, moves us forward and propels us in this industry.

I hope today’s letter brought you value.

Thanks for reading me, see you next Saturday.

P.S. Please take a moment to view the links below. I’m obsessed about you succeeding at this. Every link below, I create for you.

Here are some ways that I can help you.

👑 The Carty Method - Professional Photographers Educations Systems

💫 MASTERCLASS | MENTORSHIP | PORTFOLIO REVIEWS | DIGITAL TOOLS

Change your 9-5 life into a life you love. 👉🏾 thecartymethod.com

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💫 30 DAY ON CAMERA CHALLENGE: Get better on camera in 30 days

💫 FREE PRICING GUIDE: Download my free Photographers Pricing guide here

💫 4K Motivational Desktops FREE: Motivational desktops for Photographers

💫 Carty Crew Discord. Educating and connecting a global network of visual creators

💫 ULTIMATE PHOTOGRAPHERS CALL SHEET: Don’t make your sessions ‘hit or miss.’

💫 PRO CREATIVES HABIT TRACKER: Build a successful Creative Business Through Positive Habits.

🎯 Notion is by far the best way to organize your life. I create develop and release notion templates for photographers often. Get on Notion. It’s free.

👉🏾 INDY. The ultimate workspace for photographers looking to grow their business.