Candace Smith - The Essence Photographer

09/23/2023

A good photograph is a combination of elements. I typically focus on 4 main components: the subject, the location, the story and the details; and inspiration is everywhere. I did a housesitting tour, borrowing amazing homes of people that needed help walking dogs and Comment watering plants. If you travel, I highly recommend this as a creative way to roam and benefit someone in need. I have a discount code if you’re curious :)

This scene was in a bedroom in a home in Oakland. The wall paper totally made it for me. It was bright and happy and I wanted to create something with more intrigue and edge. Each element of the photo has the power to change the mood of the photo.
For this shot, that role fell on me.
And of course I have to give credit to my handy, single bulb floor lamp because without that support this photo would just be black.

The play with emotion and how you want to feel is just as important as the reaction you want to help create for the audience. Be intentional and give yourself permission to not fu***ng smile all the time. Humans emote and all emotions can be beautiful.

coming soon…
Comment Self- Portrait if you want to be added to the list for the upcoming guide. ✨

08/09/2023

It’s my birthday week so I figured I should come back to IG 😆
I’ve decided to share some of the self-portraits I’ve made along my journey over the past year. These aren’t the best from the series as I’m keeping them for a future project.

Each will be shared with a story of how the shot came to be and varied elements of my experience creating it.

Every shoot I do is based in story, whether it’s the one you see, the one you can feel, or the one you make up based on your own experiences.

**I’ve had many people request a self-portrait guide or course so that’s in the works too. If you’re curious and want to know when that’s launched join the waitlist in the bio links. 🤩
It will be full of tools, tips, curious questions to get you to started, and mindset hacks to do it when you don't feel like it!

07/06/2023

If you're ready to express your full self, let's play! 🙌

07/05/2023

Have you ever thought about the different ways that you show up in your business? I always giggle when clients say "I want pictures of the real me." Yes, but which part? ⠀
⠀
No human is just one thing, we all carry varied elements of self that show up in a variety of ways. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I like to call them your characters. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If life is considered a stage, who do you want to be today? Dive into the exploration of your own characters and get the most in-depth brand photoshoot prep imaginable!

07/03/2023

“Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.” -Mandy Hale

06/29/2023

🙌

06/26/2023

"Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both ends." -Author & Poet, Aberjhani

06/23/2023

Do you notice that pictures of YOU get more attention? When you use images of yourself you'll instantly get more engagement and scroll-stopping power to get your message read. Getting your audience to pay attention to your postis the ultimate goal.
WHY?
Because they like you!

People do business with people they 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭!
Connection is everything on these social platforms and putting your face forward allows your audience to get a feel for who you are and what you deliver.

If you’re trying to build authority and trust in a particular niche or industry, then having a powerful personal brand is the way to go! And using your unique essence is how to make it particularly memorable – the human brain evolved to remember names and faces far more than random words and titles.

Using your face gives your brand instant personality as well as inspires more trust. Yep, it really can be that simple.

When was the last time you shared a portrait of yourself?
Do it! We want to see you 🤩

05/14/2023

Grateful for all the amazing moms in my life. I celebrate each of you with the adoration and honoring that you deserve ✨🌸

The reality of motherhood 💕



📸:

02/07/2023

Hey y'all, I did a thing. I've been a huge fan of Joel McKerrow since we met in Colorado in 2016. He is an inspiration, a wildly talented poet and a good friend. A couple months ago, we collaborated on a podcast. I like to think of myself as a storyteller, and I claim that as part of how I relate to my art, and this is one of the few times that it's actually shared in my own words.

So, check out the link in my story and give it a listen. ALLL the episodes are amazing. I hope you enjoy and follow Joel for more wisdom on creativity and spirituality because every episode is inspiring, motivating, and sometimes tear jerking.
Enjoy!!

Photo by Joel of me remembering to Breathe Deeply.