Just over a week ago, I spent a wonderful Saturday on a photoshoot with Wick and Fern, a local candle business run by the lovely Aimee. I thought I would share on the blog some images and insights from a creative day spent exploring candle photography.
The client
As mentioned, the client was Aimee, the owner of Wick and Fern. Aimee designs, curates, produces and packages her handmade candles in her studio along the shores of Lough Neagh. With the aim of launching her new Botanical Collection of candles, Aimee was looking for some new candle photography for her website and social media and approached me via Instagram.
Aimee sells her candles on her website and also supplies some local garden centres including Langtry Lane in Moira and Woodview in Armagh.
The venue
The venue for the photo shoot was Little Wood Bank, the south facing wing of a beautiful Georgian home set in an idyllic location on the banks of the River Bann near the village of Gilford. Little Wood Bank can be hired out as a place to stay as well as a photo shoot location.
The brief
Aimee required photographs of 3 distinct candle fragrances – Olive and Thyme, Lemon Balm and Bog Myrtle. She wanted a different story for each candle. And kindly sent me some ideas in advance of what she was looking for. The brief was to create light filled, botanical themed lifestyle shots of the candles, the sort of images you see on Instagram and Pinterest.
On the day
The day began at 11am when we arrived at Little Wood Bank, me with my camera and Aimee with her candles and a great selection of props. After getting a tour of the property by our host Zara, we got to work setting up for the first series of images for the Olive and Thyme candle in the stunning light filled kitchen. We then moved to the sun room for the Lemon Balm candle. And then finally outside into the sunshine for the Bog Myrtle candle. By approximately 3:30pm and 293 photographs later, we called it a wrap, having had a wonderful day in a beautiful setting and with beautiful weather.
Behind the scenes at the photoshoot – a short Instagram reel
Images from the day
Here are some of the final images from the day. Wick and Fern’s Botanical Collection is now available for sale here
Conclusions
I really enjoyed the creative and collaborative nature of the process. And learning by doing is definitely a great way to build experience. I realised I probably know more than I thought. And equally, there are things I need to work on a bit more. I am very happy with how the photographs turned out on what was just my second photo shoot. More importantly though, so is the client and that’s what really matters.
I just want to thank Aimee for giving me the opportunity and to Zara for hosting us in her beautiful home. If you had told me two years ago I’d be doing this sort of thing, I would never have believed you !
Thanks for stopping by,
Paula
Useful Links
Other posts from Typewriter Girl to enjoy:-
My first steps into product photography
Photography Tips for Beginners
If you are a small creative business and interested in working with me, you can view my photography packages here. Feel free to get in touch here. Id love to hear from you.
Such lovely photos!! I think you are a natural at this!! ❤️
Aw thank you so much pals. It was a real learning experience but I enjoyed it !
Lovely photos!
Thank you Andrea. Honestly, I really appreciate the feedback. It motivates me to keep going !