In the dating photography world, I’ve worked with countless individuals in London and back in my home of Vancouver, Canada, who initially hesitated at the thought of hiring a professional for their dating photos. But here’s the truth: investing in a professional session for Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble is not only perfectly normal but also increasingly common—especially for those who are newly single, working long hours, and lacking up-to-date, quality photos. Many of my clients are busy professionals, often men who’ve recently come out of long-term relationships and find themselves without a single casual photo that represents who they are today.
The reality is, back in most people’s (especially men’s) early 20s and university years, going out to events with cameras present was a common occurrence. Given that most folks are single in their young adult years – at least for an extended period, the photos taken of you are often of you by yourself. Coming out of a relationship, you’ll likely find that all your images are with your previous partner – and cropping them out of your vacation photos won’t cut it.
Dating profile photography photoshoot in London, UK, for my client. We combined more formal looks alongside casual wear in outdoor settings on the roof of a parking garage, on the sidewalk in front of office buildings, and near heritage buildings for varied settings.
Unless social media is a priority for you, you’re a social butterfly or individual photoshoots benefit your career (not including professional headshots in your workplace – do not use those), anyone in their later 20s and onwards rarely has a casual photo portfolio ready to upload to dating sites like Hinge, Tinder, or Bumble.
Being in a more relationship stage, and likely further in your career, you may be at a place to invest in your dating life in a way you wouldn’t in your earlier, single years. Thousands of dollars will be spent going on dates that may not lead to relationship goals. However, spending a fraction of that on a photoshoot will lead to better use of your dating time and allow you to be selective, ultimately saving money – which you could spend on your future life partner.
1. The Stigma Around Dating Profile Photos—And Why It’s Time to Let It Go
There’s a lingering misconception that hiring a professional photographer for dating profile photos is over the top. But let me assure you, it's not. In fact, more people are doing it than you might realize. Just like you’d invest in a good suit for an important interview, investing in professional photos is about putting your best foot forward. As a London lifestyle photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how these images can truly change the way you’re perceived.
These shoots are just as common as a lifestyle, personal brand, or fashion photography shoot. Most of my clients for these shoots who are single had in the back of their minds that they were going to use these photos for Hinge, Tinder, or Bumble as a secondary purpose to their Instagram or other social platforms. I found I had to dig into clients to understand if that was their goal, because that changes how a shoot is directed which I’ll continue to explain.
"Dating is all about first impressions, and in today’s digital age, your photos are that first impression. So why not make them count?"
Dating profile photoshoot in London, UK, with a focus on fashion. Fashion was one of my client’s core interests, and in our photography session, we focused on curated outfits with textured backgrounds to highlight his wardrobe both for social media as well as his dating profiles.
A softer focus in images like these, with a slight blur, can create a more candid and less polished look, great for dating profiles to avoid the feeling a professional photoshoot has taken place.
2. My Approach: Building Comfort and Trust Before the Shoot
When in front of the camera, if you’re not a professional model, it can be intimidating, but my goal as your photographer is to make you feel as comfortable and natural as possible. I always start with a video or phone call before the shoot—not just to discuss logistics but to build a rapport. I’ve found that this face-to-face interaction goes a long way in helping clients feel at ease when the camera comes out.
It’s easy to get the fake laugh off to the side to get the casual, approachable smile that’s desired. But the most authentic and organic expressions in dating photography sessions come from comfortability and feeling relaxed. It is no different than when you’re on a first date. Ones that are successful feel like there’s no work involved and it flows, which is what I strive to emulate – especially when working with folks with minimal to no experience at all.
"Comfortability is key to great photos. The more at ease you feel with your photographer, the more natural and authentic your images will be."
My client is a personal trainer, and in this dating profile photoshoot in London, we focused on documenting him training in the golden hour sun to create images he could use for his professional side but also his dating profiles. By creating scenes with activities, this makes it easier to create organic and authentic images that don’t come across as staged while also creating an underlying story.
3. Planning and Organization: The Blueprint to a Stress-Free Session
One of the most important aspects of a successful photoshoot is planning. This is especially crucial if you’re new to professional photography; you can focus on staying relaxed and confident, knowing everything else is taken care of.
Do not make any decisions on your shoot day.
What does this mean? Ahead of your shoot, plan out all your outfits. In addition, pair which outfits go with which scene you’ll be shooting and have them in order. Know the backgrounds or scenes that you’ll be staging in advance. This will keep you calm and collected. The last thing you want to do is rush or feel rushed.
An essential part of planning is gathering inspiration material.
What is the inspiration material for a dating photography shoot? These are photos that you’ve seen that you’d like to emulate. This can be from your photographer’s portfolio or images you’ve seen on Pinterest, Instagram, or anywhere online. They can especially be photos of yourself that you’ve liked in the past. I always ask my clients for these because it helps me understand how they look good to themselves in their eyes.
Many of my clients have put this together as a mood board using PowerPoint or Google Slides, a Pinterest board, or have bombarded my email or WhatsApp with dozens of photos. You can send as many or as few as you’d like in whatever format makes sense to communicate what you’re feeling.
"The more we plan, the less you have to think about on the day. It’s all about creating a stress-free, enjoyable experience."
Dating profile photoshoot in London, UK, with my client who has never had a photoshoot before. After connecting on calls and meeting in person, this made the flow of our photoshoot easy. The images towards the end were our favourite as we build a consistent flow of shooting that felt comfortable.
4. Why Seeing Your Photos During the Shoot Is Essential
Earlier in my photography career, I was self-conscious of sharing photos as we shot with my clients. I was worried they wouldn’t like them, that what I was shooting would require significant editing to make it usable and therefore anything unedited wouldn’t be a good representation, or the client would want to change something that I didn’t know how to change.
As I’ve matured and grown with time, I’ve found forcing my clients to see at least some images is essential to a successful shoot. Seeing a great shot on the spot instantly puts my clients at ease. Knowing that you already have a few winning photos can make a huge difference in how you approach the rest of the shoot, both for me and my client.
This is an easy criteria point to understand if we got the shot we wanted and if we can move to the next outfit and scene.
"When you see that we’ve already captured some fantastic images, it shows we’re speaking the same language and allows you to enjoy the session."
Dating profile photography in London, UK, for my client who we shot multiple times together with. One thing he appreciated was seeing the photos as we shot together so he had an idea of what to correct. These were often things I that didn’t notice.
While in the studio, my camera is connected to my laptop while when shooting outdoors, my camera wirelessly syncs with my phone to use as an alternative screen.
5. Time Is on Our Side: Why I Don’t Set a Timer
While I may share an average amount of time a shoot can take so my clients can schedule their day around it, I avoid ever tying my shoot packages to a set amount of time. This is because it keeps you and me from being distracted by the clock.
We’re not rushing to get another outfit in or see how much we can fit in a certain amount of time. That’s never fun. Nor is it ever successful, given the criteria mentioned in #2 about staying comfortable and relaxed.
In my mind, I charge enough so that our sessions can take however long it may need so my clients are satisfied. Especially combined with sharing the images as we go, this makes sure we’re checking the boxes and not leaving the session with unfinished items.
If you find there are unfinished items, it means your planning wasn’t properly set out. Leave ample time for changing, going to new locations, rearranging furniture to fit the scene, and especially having backups if what you planned isn’t working.
At the end of the day, I sell products and not time. That product, often, is six perfect photos for a dating profile. I’m not selling an hour, two hours, three or more, because, frankly, it may take longer when it comes to editing too. If a fellow dating photographer may be reading this, charge enough to take time out of the equation so that you’re present at all times with your client. The photos will be far superior.
Ever since taking this approach of removing time from the equation, I look forward to these shoots. I get the opportunity to hang out one-on-one with someone for however long. As an extroverted and social person, I love that. Also compared to my commercial shoots where there are many moving parts (and stakeholders to please), I feel like a barber or a tattoo artist in these sessions where it’s just me and you building a relationship that ultimately leads to a better product as time progresses.
"Quality takes time. By not watching the clock, we ensure that your photos come out looking relaxed, natural, and authentic."
Illustrating hobbies and interests is essential for first impressions in dating profiles. These are great for images further into your profile. In this example photographed in London, documenting my client’s love for photography made it easy to create a scene where he may be with another photographer friend with a camera present.
6. Small Details, Big Impact: Preparing for Your Session
There are a few key tips I always share with clients to help them look their best: steam your outfits ahead of time, use oil blot paper or translucent powder to keep shine at bay, have posing and prompts in the back of your mind, and choose season-appropriate clothing. These small steps can make a significant difference in how you feel and look in your photos.
While small and tactical tips, they make a difference. Translucent powder, where men may be reluctant to use makeup, is what they use on male anchors on television news along with the rest of TV. There’s no tint, it just absorbs any oil and creates a matte finish. I use this with all my clients (ensuring the use of sterile practices). If you don’t have a makeup kit, order oil-absorbing blot paper as a close second. This is far superior to dabbing your forehand with paper towel.
When it comes to posing and prompts, I recommend checking out my article How to Pose People Who Aren’t Models for Headshot and Portrait Photography for solutions to getting a natural-looking smile in a short amount of time.
Lastly, don’t try and wear a summer shirt in the winter outdoors. It may be tempting to try and make your session look like it was shot in different seasons of the year to achieve variety, but wearing summer clothes with a clear winter environment (or sunglasses when they’re not required) is a no-go.
"Little details like avoiding shine and wearing the right clothes for the season can elevate your photos from good to great."
This is one of my favourite images captures of a dating photography client in London. This came at the end of our session, when familiarity and trust was built. As he has a home yoga studio, we captured him in his element at home. If your home is aesthetic, it can work as a great base to show who you authentically are.
7. Creating Variety: How to Make a Single Session Look Like Multiple Shoots
One of the biggest concerns clients have is variety—how can a single session provide enough diverse images? The trick is in planning different outfits and settings. Even with just one session, you can create the illusion of multiple shoots by changing locations and looks. It’s all about keeping the photos dynamic and engaging.
The easiest way, especially if you’re far from a change room, is to keep your pants dark and consistent, and work through different upper body layers. Layers are the key to fashion (and fashion photography too). It’s easy to change a jumper, overshirt, jacket, or other layers for easy, quick changes.
Varying the angle is great too. Specifically, the most flatting angle is a “cowboy shot”. This is shot from above the knees up. This is especially great for anyone who isn’t tall. When you do show your feet, it gives a sense of your entire height. Just cutting off the feet isn’t a great frame, but cutting off just above the knees leads the viewer’s eyes to your face and creates a better frame. It also creates the illusion of height.
With my clients, I try and pick an outdoor location with several different backdrops within a close area to minimize walking – especially if you’re carrying your wardrobe in a suitcase.
Now that I have a permanent loft studio in London that I shoot out of, I use this as a base for my photoshoots then head outdoors to surrounding areas once comfort is built and we’ve got some great shots indoors my client and I both agree on.
TIP: Keep your wardrobe in an aesthetic rolling suitcase with a soft “cabin bag” attached and USE IT AS A PROP!
This is a great way to make it look like you’re on a layover while travelling. This creates a great underlying story and minimizes a potential match thinking it was a staged photo, given traveling is when most photos are taken.
"With the right planning, we can make one session look like it spanned several days and locations. It’s all about creating variety and depth."
With the same client in the previous image, he loves to paddleboard. We started our photoshoot on the beach with his board in the early morning sun. We then transitioned into a nearby park for more outdoors photos then ultimately back to his yoga studio. This created the appearance of having multiple different photoshoots – yet all captured at once.
8. The art of storytelling: avoid people wondering: “Why was this photo taken?”
What separates dating profile photography from lifestyle photography, personal brand photography, or fashion photography, is telling a story in every scene in a conversational way.
When planning, keeping the back of your mind: how do we avoid someone asking “Why was this photo taken?”
Smiling and looking off, while it can be organic, comes across as staged. Little things like having a coffee mug, a meal at a restaurant, a laptop open, a notebook nearby, or above all, doing a clear activity, is how you achieve effective dating profile photography.
When choosing a story to tell, specifically for dating photography, keep the word elevated in your mind. While scenes may be easy to find, think of the message they portray and the level of curiosity you want to drum up from potential matches. This may come down to a matter of taste when it comes to a restaurant to photograph, a landmark to walk in front of looking off, or other interests you’d like to show off.
For example, do you like making cocktails? Find an aesthetic kitchen and make cocktails, like you’re entertaining a group of friends. Like rock climbing? Get a camera in there and get you with chalk on your hands preparing. Like to cook? Get cooking! These are scenes that can be elevated where a camera is naturally out.
If you’re also in London, UK, there are countless options – but any city has elevated angles.
If you have less photogenic hobbies, or ones that will be tough to organically photograph without looking staged (like weight lifting, for example), I’ve got some suggestions. Restaurants and cafes are easy choices, put athletic clothing on and look like you’re gearing up for exercise with friends (like lacing shoes for a run or heading to a yoga studio with a mat under your arm), or find a comfy place to lean back and relax with a book.
These lessons don’t exist within the vacuum of a photoshoot! Keep them in mind when you travel especially because it’ll be easy to take these photos when in front of obviously exciting landmarks – and travel is certainly elevated.
This dating profile portrait of my client with his tennis rackets outside of a tennis court illustrates his love for tennis. The golden hour evening light made for great conditions for portraits.
9. The Role of Editing: Enhancing Without Overdoing
Editing plays a crucial role in the final product, but it’s essential to keep it subtle. The goal is to enhance your natural look without making it obvious that the photos have been retouched.
In my fashion photography or lifestyle photography portfolios, I use more colour adjustments to illustrate style and mood. However, for dating profile photography, keeping it minimal is essential. Retouching, such as removing blemishes, smoothing wrinkles, or other similar adjustments are perfect here. However, you want it to again, not necessarily look like a staged, professional dating photography photoshoot was completed.
A piece of gear I wish I invested in and learned more about sooner is diffusion camera filters. When shot with a professional, full-frame camera, the quality of lenses and sensors is incredibly high. Diffusion filters can give the images a softer, more natural feel, almost like they were taken on a vintage camera, without raising any questions about authenticity. This reduces the amount of editing required too, as it’ll already soften complexions.
There are dozens and dozens out there. While I’ve tried a ton and my chosen filter is my secret weapon, filters by Tiffen are a great place to start. Especially this Tiffen video comparing their entire lineup of diffusion filters that fit any lens.
"Good editing in dating photography should be invisible. It’s about enhancing the natural beauty of the image without making it look overly polished."
This dating profile photoshoot in London, UK, for my client had a focus on minimal editing to make the images feel as organic as possible. Especially with dating profile shoots in tailored suits, it is easy to overdo the images to make them appear overly staged.
10. Why Professional Photos Are the New Norm in Dating
In today’s social media-centric world, professional photos are quickly becoming the norm in dating profiles, especially for professionals who understand the value of making a strong first impression. Ever since COVID, online dating has exploded. This is when I saw my inquiries for dating profile photoshoots exceed what I could keep up with.
Your online profile is now your main first impression. Even though the world has gone back to normal, dating apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble are here to stay – and so are people’s expectations of what a good profile should be.
Whether you’re newly single or simply looking to refresh your profile, a professional photographer can help you present yourself in the best possible light. The steps all listed out before this ultimately stage a normal, candid, photogenic moment that can be achieved by, well, being authentic.
However, a professional dating photographer who knows the right questions to ask, locations, angles for you, the best sides, the lighting, outfit combinations, and more all come together to create a dating profile without the trial and error built over feedback from dating app matches.
"Professional dating photos aren’t just a luxury—they’re a smart investment in your personal brand, saves money by allowing you to be selective about dates. "
This was my dating profile photography client’s first photoshoot, and he was a natural. When combined with planning, meeting ahead of time, mapping out outfits, and carefully curated locations, you create the feeling that you’re a photogenic individual (even if you’re not) who has a friend with a camera that documents your day-to-day life.
11. Making the Process Seamless: Commitment to a Stress-Free Experience
Ultimately, my goal is to make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible. From the initial consultation to the final review of your photos, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. By the end of our session, my aim is for you to feel confident, comfortable, and excited about the images we’ve created together. If you’re in London, don’t be afraid to reach out! I invite you to check out my dating profile photography services.
I genuinely enjoy these shoots. I began shooting dating profile photography first when I relocated to London because I didn’t have all the gear that’s required for my typical commercial lifestyle photography shoots. However, I’m incredibly grateful because I’ve spent time with individuals who have shown me around London: my new home. It has been a rewarding way to warm up, and these photos could change someone’s life – and they have. Check out the testimonials on my services pages.
I’ll never forget when I had one client tell me that his mom told him it was time to find a wife. We shot three sessions together, and his mom took those images to the marriage markets in India. That was an honour, and a privilege, to help them take that next step. While not all dating photos are 0 to 100 like that, it goes to show how powerful photos can be for shaping that next step in someone’s life.
In this dating profile photoshoot in London, my client and I found a luxury hotel with a nearly empty lobby. As we built familiarity through our shoot, we were able to capture a unique, indoor setting that complimented his profile and other images perfectly.
If you’re not ready to reach out yet, or if you’re not in London and you liked this blog post and the work I shared, I invite you to follow my Instagram and join the newsletter below for infrequent updates on more posts like these, along with my creative and professional work.