Maria Abbas owner of Candle Bar DSM standing in her shop and smiling
two hands pouring bottles of scented oil into brass measuring cup at Candle Bar
hands holding a lilac purple filled candle vessel

Maria Abbas - Candle Bar DSM

SESSION BOOKED:
Deluxe Session

SESSION GOAL: 
To create a large, versatile gallery of images that capture the Candle Bar DSM experience, showcase custom offerings and introduce Maria as the new owner.

BRAND WORDS: 

FUN︱CREATIVE︱EXPERIENTIAL︱UNIQUE︱CLEAN

collection of matching candles in mint green glass vessels
candle wax shavings falling into a glass pitcher
storefront of Candle Bar DSM with owner Maria Abbas and her store manager out front
woman smiling with her eyes closed as she smells a forest chai candle scent at Candle Bar DSM
Candle Bar DSM owner Maria Abbas sitting on a bar stool in her shop smiling at the camera
female arm reaching for a candle vessel on a display shelf with multiple options
group of four girlfriends laughing as they make candles and enjoy champagne at Candle Bar DSM
Candle Bar DSM shop manager holding four bottles of scented oil in her arms
hands holding wicks and stirring wax while making a candle
collection of matching two wick candles in lilac purple glass vessels
four arms raised to cheers champagne glasses inside Candle Bar DSM
a couple smiling at each other as they stir the wax of a candle they are making together
four arms each bringing a different color of candle vessel together in a cheers
Candle Bar DSM interior with white countertop, bar stools and colorful, boho-themed mural
female in pink apron holding candle in a pink vessel next to flowers in shades of pink, red and orange

About the session:

When Maria took over Candle Bar, she wanted professional brand photos to update the website and kickstart her marketing with everything the shop offers. She wasn’t looking for just a handful of pretty photos—she needed a fully-stocked brand gallery to launch this next chapter with confidence and clarity.

So we booked a full-day Deluxe Session and got to work.

couple making a candle together and smiling at each other with champagne and charcuterie on the counter

Capturing the Candle Bar Experience

Every photo was designed to show the heart of the Candle Bar experience. From hands-on candle making to custom orders and even BYOB + snacks, we made sure nothing was missed. Here’s what we focused on:

  • The full candle-making process, from start to finish

  • Group experiences—like a bachelorette party + date night

  • Custom offerings: wholesale orders, branded labels, gifting + refills

  • Creative flat lays, vignettes + detail shots

  • Images highlighting the shop interior and storefront

  • Lifestyle headshots + candids of Maria + her right-hand manager

  • AND—some b-roll video clips for social media reels as well!

four candle vessels in different colors being held in a cheers by girlfriends
four females each raising a glass of champagne in a cheers at Candle Bar DSM

From First Pour to Final Cheers

We brought in models to help bring the experiences to life, set the scene with bubbly and charcuterie and created content that truly reflects the vibe Candle Bar offers. With music playing and a detailed shot list guiding the day, we kept the energy up and made the most of every scene.

Maria showed up fully prepped and ready—something that really paid off. Because she followed my planning guide to a T, we were able to shoot everything she needed (and then some) without feeling rushed.

Her final gallery resulted in 190 images + video clips that provided more than enough options for her website and have made posting consistently on Instagram so much easier. I love seeing her posts pop up in my feed and the creative ways she’s adding messaging to her photos. (Check it out here.)

close up of a custom candle label that says Partners for Life on a Candle Bar DSM candle vessel

Maria’s Brand Photoshoot Results

Four months after the session, here’s what Maria had to say:

"Working with Jill has been a great experience! She has helped me build my brand and photo gallery to create the vision I wanted for my business! 

She made me feel so at ease behind the camera & helps keep the sessions comfortable & bring out your personality behind the brand. 

Since my brand shoot with Jill - marketing has become 100x easier. I'm no longer scrambling last minute for photos or images to use on my website + social media. 

After updating my photos on my website + socials - I feel more confident and solid with my brand. It was 100% worth the investment. Not only did I get brand photos but Jill went above and beyond to also get video that I could also use on my social media accounts. She sent detailed lists afterward of where I could use my brand photos & was always organized. 

I probably won't get brand photos taken by anyone else! She's amazing!!"


That's the goal. Photos that make marketing easier—not just prettier.

Candle Bar DSM owner Maria Abbas standing at counter holding a candle vessel with a warm, welcoming smile

"Marketing has become 100x easier.

I’m no longer scrambling for photos.

I feel more confident + solid with my brand.”

Maria Abbas

CANDLE BAR DSM

WHERE TO CONNECT WITH CANDLE BAR DSM:

https://candlebardsm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/candlebardsm/

PERSONAL BRANDING + HEADSHOTS

Are you ready to elevate your brand and your marketing with a library of strategic, custom images?

Let’s work together to create the photos your business deserves.

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S² Social Studio