I used the lighting skills that I learned in my commercial photography class to create flat lighting for photos that could be used for e-commerce. I bought this candle because I thought it was beautiful for photographing but also because it is ethical and environmentally friendly, two big things I really look for in brands.

CALYAN Candle - a class project

I took all of these studio shots and lifestyle shots to represent the candle and its features well online. I also tried to make them fit the current brand’s style.

I really enjoyed creating work like this (coming up with props and lighting the different materials well), it has made me enjoy commercial photography, helping me to branch out past my love of portrait photography.

Lesson Learnt

This was my first bigger project in the studio to shoot like a brand. I did not do a good job of researching the brand beforehand, I got pretty lucky with shooting in a similar style as the brand does. If I could go back and re-do it, I would research more as well as take the time to buy actual lavender and bergamot rather than using whatever I had that also looked good. I also would be a little bit more intentional and timely with the lighting. Sometimes studio lighting is tedious and the patience to light something well rather than just fixing it in post is a hard one I am trying to master but am working towards continually.