Scented Designs Candle Co | Brand photoshoot | Kate De Palma at the Intercontinental Hotel San Diego

Branding, MERGE

In the heart of California, where creativity and craftsmanship merge, you’ll find Scented Designs Candle Co., a small business devoted to the ideals of artistry, dedication, and the power of shopping local. Kate De Palma, the passionate founder behind this artisanal candle shop, invited us to capture the essence of her brand and her love for handmade craftsmanship in a special photoshoot.

The Heart of Scented Designs

Kate’s journey with Scented Designs Candle Co. traces back to her childhood in San Jose, where she shared cherished moments attending art and craft shows with her mother. It was in these moments that her appreciation for the beauty of handmade craftsmanship blossomed. She fell in love with the idea that no two handmade items are ever exactly the same, each bearing a unique mark of creativity and care.

Candles Beyond the Ordinary

At Scented Designs, they believe that a scented candle is more than just a candle; it’s a commitment to small businesses, the dedicated individuals behind them, and the positive impact that shopping small and locally can have on our environment. Kate’s candles are a testament to her unwavering dedication to quality, with each one handcrafted in California to deliver an exceptional sensory experience.

The Craftsmanship Behind the Candle Glow

Our photoshoot with Kate aimed to illuminate not only the beauty of her candles but also the dedication and passion that go into crafting each one. Kate’s commitment to small business values and the environment shines through in every image. From the selection of the finest materials to the meticulous attention to detail, her candles are a testament to her dedication to quality.

Bringing Warmth and Fragrance to Your Life

Kate is proud to introduce you to her high-quality, highly-scented candles made right here in California. Whether you bring them into your home, your business, or gift them to special people in your life, each Scented Designs candle encapsulates the warmth, creativity, and environmental consciousness that defines Kate’s brand.

Conclusion

In the world of small businesses, Kate De Palma and Scented Designs Candle Co. stand out as champions of creativity, craftsmanship, and the importance of supporting local artisans. Our photoshoot at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Diego was not just about capturing the beauty of candles; it was about preserving the spirit of Kate’s dedication to handmade craftsmanship and the positive impact that small businesses can have on our communities.

As you explore Kate’s California soy candles and shop with Scented Designs, you’re not just acquiring a candle; you’re inviting a piece of her passion and dedication into your life. We’re honored to have had the opportunity to work with Kate and to share the story of Scented Designs Candle Co.

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More Brand photography inspiration

How to Prepare for Headshots

Branding, MERGE

hair and makeup artist Branding Session Kim Baker Gomez at Elizabeth Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto California by Jen Vazquez Photography_0095

How To Prepare for Headshots

Whether you are getting headshots done for your work or on your own for a LinkedIn profile or other social site, headshots are simple and fast!  You want to put your best foot forward as this may be the first time people will see you.  You want to balance looking good with looking like yourself.  There is nothing worse than having someone meet you for the first time and say, “I didn’t recognize you from your picture”.  Yikes!  Here are tips to help you get the best and most flattering corporate headshot.

What to Wear?

What to wear is always the first thing that my clients ask about.  My advice is always to consider what you love, what fits beautifully and if you got compliments wearing the shirt — that’s the one to wear.

Your outfits should be a reflection of you, at your very best! You’ll want to make sure the outfit flatter’s your shape and something that makes you feel beautiful.  Fortunately you only have to worry about a shirt and not a whole outfit.

If you haven’t gotten your colors done (and yes that’s still a thing even in 2023), you can simple choose a color that you’ve gotten complimented in.  You know the color where you always get compliments when you wear it like “That is totally your color!” or “Wow that color brings out your eyes” or whatever. Definitely avoid crazy patterns and anything with logos (unless of course that’s what your company wants you to wear 😜)

The image will look more amazing if you select accessories like necklaces, bow ties, hats, earrings, jackets, scarfs, etc.  This will complete the style and show a finished look in the images. Keep jewelry extremely simple – smaller is generally better and avoid jewelry that distracts from your face or causes too much sparkle

You can also consider hiring a stylist to help you pick the outfits so you don’t have to think about it or use Pinterest to help you see options that you can copy.  You can view my Branding Photography board here.

Autoimmune Author, nurse educator + family health coach | Bay Area Brand Photographer Jen Vazquez Photography

Hydrate and Rest

Two or three days before your session, focus on drinking a lot of water.  This helps you skin glow on the photoshoot day.  Plus it’s good for you!!

If possible, get a good 7 or 8 hours of sleep the week of your shoot.  I know that’s not always possible (I hear you laughing saying “I wish!!”).  Rest helps those bags that human’s have under their eyes look less dramatic.

Moisturize (Men and Women)

Even if this isn’t something you do daily, moisture your face, neck and arms. It helps for your skin to look smooth and supple and not dull and ashy.

Caution: Don’t wear any glittery body moisturizer as doesn’t look as amazing as it does in person.

california personal brand photographer service based business session

Hair

Style your hair like normal.  Consider wearing your hair in a style you normally wear it.  I also want you to do whatever you feel most beautiful in, so if you wear your hair in a bun for work everyday — go ahead and wear your hair down.  Ultimately, you want to look like you, on your best day!

Make-up

For my portrait clients or branding photo clients, I always recommend using a makeup artist.  But for corporate headshots, I think simple is best.  Make-up should be clean and natural looking, like you do most days (see a pattern here in tips?).

One tip though if you don’t wear any makeup ever, consider that my camera is high resolution unlike cell phones.  Consider wear some foundation (that matches your skin) or even some translucent powder (you can get at Walgreen’s for next to nothing).  Both of these together or by themselves can help to smooth out your skin and have an even looking color.  

Also, a little mascara will help your eyes pop and some lipstick or lipgloss can highlight your smile.

Caution: Don’t apply heavy makeup as it can look cakey on the skin, just a dimes-worth all over your face will work.

Relax and Have Fun

The most important tip is to have a fun and playful attitude. Don’t be too serious or overly self-conscious.  Relax and have fun and you’ll get some great images.  I am known for helping people to relax in front of the camera and may make a few jokes to help you smile big or even better laugh.  I work very hard to capture a natural photo that will look like how you look working with clients/customers/patients.

XOXO Jen

Want a Gallery of Custom Photos?

A personal branding photoshoot for your business, so you can start a library of professional branded photos you’re proud to share.  Click below to check it out!

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Autoimmune Author, nurse educator + family health coach | Bay Area Brand Photographer Jen Vazquez Photography
Autoimmune Author, nurse educator + family health coach | Bay Area Brand Photographer Jen Vazquez Photography
Autoimmune Author, nurse educator + family health coach | Bay Area Brand Photographer Jen Vazquez Photography
Autoimmune Author, nurse educator + family health coach | Bay Area Brand Photographer Jen Vazquez Photography
Autoimmune Author, nurse educator + family health coach | Bay Area Brand Photographer Jen Vazquez Photography

Top 10 Tips for Corporate Headshots

Branding, MERGE

Top 10 Tips for Corporate Headshots

It’s important to put your best foot forward on your company website, LinkedIn, and other social sites.  You want to balance looking good with looking like yourself.  There is nothing worse than having someone meet you for the first time and say, “I didn’t recognize you from your picture”.  Yikes!  Here are 10 tips to help you get the best and most flattering corporate headshot:

TIPS:

  1. Hire the right photographer.  You want to project an interesting and natural-looking facial expression while producing both realistic and flattering facial expressions. Working with a photographer that you feel comfortable with will help you achieve this goal.
  2. Drink lots of water and be well-rested before your photo shoot.
  3. Wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good.  I suggest you bring a few options and you may consider buying a new outfit for the occasion. We always feel like a million dollars in a new outfit.
  4. For business attire, choose colors that people have complimented you in.  Additionally, bring a typical navy or black suit jacket so you have one super professional look. I personally do not recommend a white dress shirt by itself unless you wear it underneath a jacket.
  5. Avoid busy patterns, multiple bright colors, overly detailed items, and large stripes/polka dots unless they will be covered with a solid jacket. Lines and patterns distract from the face. We want your face to be the center of attention.
  6. Moisturize, even men.  It helps your skin to look smooth and supple, but avoid shimmers or products with lots of sparkle or shine.
  7. Keep jewelry extremely simple – smaller is generally better and avoid jewelry that distracts from your face or causes too much sparkle
  8. Style your hair like normal.  Don’t wear your hair in a style you don’t normally wear it. You don’t want people saying “That person looks nothing like their picture”.  You want to look like you, on your best day!
  9. Make-up should be clean and natural-looking. (again see tip #8 above)
  10. The most important tip is to have a fun and playful attitude. Don’t be too serious or overly self-conscious.  Relax and have fun and you’ll get some great images.

Jen Vazquez Photography is a Bay Area Photographer specializing in corporate and commercial brand photography.  CLICK HERE to update your LinkedIn or website photo today!