Carter Smith's fashion and portrait photography has a disarming charm. Smith has created campaigns for Vera Wang, Tiffany & Co., and Clarins. His editorials appear in British and Teen Vogue, L'Uomo Vogue, Allure and GQ.

Smith has also developed a keen sense for filmmaking in projects for Tiffany & Co., Tommy Hilfiger Fragrance, Lancôme, and Lacoste. He has directed music videos and his film projects are currently represented by A White Label Product. His first film, Bugcrush, adapted from a short story by Scott Treleaven, received the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was a part of the 2006 Directors' Fortnight during the Cannes Film Festival. Smith's first feature length film, The Ruins, adapted from the Scott Smith novel of the same name, was released in 2008.