Perfect Client on Spec
Shooting Spec for Ideal Client
Welcome to This Week's Edition of The Carty Method Magazine!
This week, we challenged photographers to shoot a perfect client on spec within their niche.
It’s not just about creating standout photographs—it’s about crafting images that speak directly to your ideal client, the ones you’d love to work with and bring value to.
Think about photographers who collaborate with their favorite brands or dream clients.
How did they make it happen?
Shooting on spec—through collections and test shoots—allows you to build a portfolio that attracts and pitches to your perfect client.
Now, get ready to be inspired by this week’s Photo of the Winners and their perfect client on spec.
Let’s begin!
Assignment Brief
CARTY gives a tight brief at the end of his photo review shows which tells us shooters what we have to shoot exactly for the following weeks review.
Here is this assignment exactly how he shares it.
“This weeks Assignment: Your Perfect Client on Spec”.
"Pick your ideal client and shoot something for them on spec.
This is how you figure out who pays for your photography and how to get them to pay you.
Look at examples of successful campaigns on Behance, brand websites, or in print (Billboards, magazines, etc). Use Intelligent Imitation.
It’s important to be original, include the brand’s product, or show your ideal client an example of the outcome if they use you.
Give me 2 sentences describing the brand you’re creating this spec shoot for.
Include a reference to the brand or campaign you’ve drawn inspiration from so that I have context.
Courtney Turner
What made you choose this brand as your perfect client? Was there a specific campaign or aesthetic that inspired you?
I chose Jeep as my perfect client because I enjoy car photography as well as landscapes putting those together jeeps campaign images stoop out the most to me.
Were there any unexpected obstacles or surprises that led you to adapt your original idea?
Didn’t run into any obstacles when executing my idea the challenge came during the editing process as Carty said photographing white vehicles in direct sunlight the highlights get a bit hot so for next time I know if shooting a white vehicle go for open shade.
Did this exercise shift the way you think about pitching yourself to brands? If so, how?
One thousand percent it made understand the importance of conveying the brands identity with each image produced and to shoot with the intention of working for that specific brand.
If this brand saw your work today, what do you think would make them say, “We need to hire you”?
I would like to think they see that I’m capable of capturing the brands identity through a photo.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: headturnerphotos
Chris Foster
What made you choose this brand as your perfect client? Was there a specific campaign or aesthetic that inspired you?
I love the fine lines and elegance of the Movado brand.
What draws me is the understated them most of their watches have and the fact that they call their timepieces “Museum Watches”.
I felt it was a great brand to highlight creatively.
Were there any unexpected obstacles or surprises that led you to adapt your original idea?
Getting the watch to stay how and where I intended to photograph it was a challenge.
The key was getting creative with whatever tools I had that could help keep it in place.
Lighting and making it stand out on the background was previously a challenge but listening to Carty’s advice during the previous week’s assignment helped me elevate both this week.
I’m still looking to improve but that will never stop.
Did this exercise shift the way you think about pitching yourself to brands? If so, how?
Absolutely!
It showed me that with the right training, technique and a bit of creativity, the big named brands are not out of reach.
If this brand saw your work today, what do you think would make them say, “We need to hire you”?
With a little more refining, I feel my work highlights what their customers love most about their watches.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: chris_fosterphotography
Michael Stimatze
What made you choose this brand as your perfect client? Was there a specific campaign or aesthetic that inspired you?
Hart is a brand I have started using for home projects.
I like the aesthetic of the branding, but I also like that they are quality tools at a budget price.
They are tools I use and know and I want to help them reach a wider audience.
Were there any unexpected obstacles or surprises that led you to adapt your original idea?
The biggest obstacle was finding a reference photo.
Hart doesn’t have many ad campaigns and their social media is all user generated.
Did this exercise shift the way you think about pitching yourself to brands? If so, how?
Yes.
Thinking about how to present this brand in a way that doesn’t suggest they are more than what they are yet present an interesting professional level photo was difficult.
Considering how they advertise made m consider what type of brand campaign they might consider doing.
If this brand saw your work today, what do you think would make them say, “We need to hire you”?
I would live for them say that they want to hire me!
Their social media manager sees my work, and has interacted by liking and commenting.
Baby steps. Baby steps.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: michael_stimatze
Website: Michael Stimatze
Best In Show!
Frank Thom
What made you choose this brand as your perfect client? Was there a specific campaign or aesthetic that inspired you?
I've always been drawn to fitness and athletic imagery.
With the introduction of the new Powerbeats Pro 2 headsets, I saw an opportunity to combine portrait work with brand storytelling.
The dynamic pose and intense focus of the subject demonstrate how these headphones stay secure during vigorous activity, which is a key selling point for fitness enthusiasts.
By capturing both the product's performance capabilities and the determination on the athlete's face, I wanted to communicate the brand's core values of durability, performance, and style.
Were there any unexpected obstacles or surprises that led you to adapt your original idea?
Finding the right distance and focal length to showcase the product on the athlete’s body was challenging at first.
Based on the feedback I received, I think I could have pulled back a bit further to give the edges some breathing room.
Did this exercise shift the way you think about pitching yourself to brands? If so, how?
Absolutely.
Shooting ads on spec is something that I've thought about for a long time but hadn't done.
This exercise helped me get out of my comfort zone and take a toward nailing a brief.
Still more work to do.
If this brand saw your work today, what do you think would make them say, “We need to hire you”?
Consistency.
I think having more images in my portfolio that showcase my ability to deliver impact for clients would go a long way in getting them to consider hiring me.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: frankthom.photo
Website: frankthom.com
Erick Hernandez
What made you choose this brand as your perfect client? Was there a specific campaign or aesthetic that inspired you?
I was actually approached to do this brand!
I did want to try doing some on figure product photography and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to do so.
My inspiration was more imitation of what the brand was already doing with their products on their website and social media.
Were there any unexpected obstacles or surprises that led you to adapt your original idea?
Something that was a surprise was how hard it was to keep the jewelry in focus.
During the shoot, the pictures look really sharp but in post I noticed how in some instances, the focus was on the model's arm behind the product rather than on the actual product.
Did this exercise shift the way you think about pitching yourself to brands? If so, how?
Yes, it made me think of how I need to prepare in order to shoot for a brand.
There's a lot of research to do in order to stay true to the brand's image.
If this brand saw your work today, what do you think would make them say, “We need to hire you”?
I believe that they would see the fact that I can recreate photos that align with how they present their products.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: erickhernanphoto
Website: erickhernan.com
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Carty is a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.
His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.
👉🏾 Mindset Shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾
Learn more about him and see his work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com
Join his photographer’s community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community
Work with Him 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com
The Carty Method Instagram @TheCartyMethod