Personal Branding Photography with Halse Candles

Lincoln maker, dreamy light, and the smell of fresh wax – yes please.

A few months back I had the absolute joy of photographing the lovely Jennie from Halse Candles. She’s a Lincoln-based maker crafting the most beautiful, eco-conscious candles – and I mean properly lovely. Think calming scents, natural ingredients, and branding that makes you want to run a hot bath and light one immediately.

In 2023, Jennie was diagnosed with depression, in the midst of the darkness she discovered candle-making as part of her recovery. The act of creating, measuring, pouring, and waiting, became a form of therapy. Slowly, what started as a personal healing ritual became something she wanted to share with others.

Jennie got in touch for updated personal branding photography for her shiny new website (which looks SO good – go have a peek!). She wanted images that felt like her – relaxed, warm, creative – and told the story of her process, from wax to wick to finished product.

Location can really make or break shoot, so I delved into my resources and found us the perfect shoot location - a homely cottage with gorgeous neutral decor but a lovely homely vibe.
We spent the afternoon capturing her work: the behind-the-scenes of her making process, and a few natural portraits that show the face behind the brand. Jennie will be the first to admit - that she was really. not. keen. on being in front of the camera but she recognised it was a step she had to make as her story was so integral to her brand.

Despite her hesitance to step in front of the camera we came away with a gallery FULL of gorgeous images - no stiff posing, no awkward smiles – just Jennie doing her thing in a way that felt real and easy. That’s always my aim with personal branding photography, especially when I’m working with small businesses and creatives. So many of my clients tell me they hate being in front of the camera – and I get it! But honestly? You don’t need to “perform” for branding photos. You just need to show up as yourself. And my job is to make that feel as relaxed and supportive as possible.

I absolutely love working with creative business owners – artists, makers, designers – anyone putting a bit of themselves into what they do. This shoot was a perfect reminder of why I do what I do. Storytelling, connection, a bit of behind-the-scenes magic. That’s where the gold is.

If you're a Lincoln maker, creative or small biz owner and thinking about your own personal branding shoot – I'd love to hear from you.