First impressions matter in a city as vibrant and fast-moving as London—especially on dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge.
For online dating, London is one of the most competitive cities in the world. After working for international dating consultants and coaches, I’ve learned that because of London’s transient nature (with so many singles travelling through every day), the dating app algorithms boost new people in town.
Because of this, having a dating app profile that makes a strong first impression is more important in London than just about anywhere else in the world. However, there remains a stigma – especially for men – around getting professional photos taken for their dating profiles.
Whether you’re working with a professional photographer or photographing with friends, I’m here to share a free, step-by-step guide from what I’ve learned in my ten years of lifestyle photography and offering professional dating photography services in London.
As I’ve primarily worked with clients who aren’t models, these tips are designed for people with zero modeling experience who want to create highly engaging profiles for dating apps that make a first impression. None of the London-based subjects of the images in this blog post have modelled before.
Candid dating profile photo taken in the Kensington neighbourhood of London.
Contents
How I became a London dating photographer
Why am I writing this guide
The six essential types of photos to include in your dating app profile
How to frame your image: how much of your body should you include?
Where do I put my hands?
What to wear for dating profile photos
What locations are best?
Should you look at the camera or away?
Tips for making a natural smile – even when forcing it
How to pose for natural and confident profile photos
Editing and retouching – how much is too much?
Final tips for a winning dating profile photo lineup
1. How I became a professional London dating photographer
In 2025, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. Since moving to London from Canada, I began offering dating profile photography services while waiting two months for the rest of my camera gear to cross the Atlantic Ocean. As a lifestyle photographer, dating photos for Tinder and other apps is something I’ve always done but never advertised in my ten-year career as a photographer.
I had people reaching out for dating photos, because they connected that dating photos fell under the umbrella of a “lifestyle photographer”. And they’re right.
Lifestyle photography, which is defined as creating candid-feeling images rich with emotion and storytelling (though often staged), is a wide umbrella that covers many different kinds of professional photography services. For dating photos in particular, these candid “scenes” need to appear as organic and authentic as possible – without making your audience wonder “Why was this photo taken?”
Because of that, using minimal gear and almost making some aspects appear unprofessional makes dating profile photography a unique art form. While waiting for my commercial photography equipment to arrive, dating profile photography in London became the service I was most equipped to deliver.
Dating profile portrait captured near Russell Square in London.
Alongside my commercial lifestyle photography and fashion work, I’m happy to say capturing dating photos for Londoners and those across the United Kingdom have become a major part of my life. As such a specific niche, this was never something I imagined I would fall into shooting if you told me this when becoming a full-time photographer and moving to London.
I love it because I get to tell someone’s story through images. No two shoots are ever the same. Coming from Vancouver where the city was geographically smaller, I found myself always using the same spots over and over – because they worked. Being in a city as large as London, it makes shooting far more interesting and exciting for me to try new spots for every client I work with.
Back to addressing the stigma. More than 95% of my clients are…working professionals (aged 25 to in their 40’s) who are deep into their careers, often work more than 40 hours a week, and are selective with their time. They’ve either just left a long-term relationship and have no photos by themselves or are just getting back into the dating market. Does this sound like you?
Especially as men, taking photos on a night out just isn’t necessarily part of the routine unless you force it in. I see men get weird looks from other men when they do work it in. It’s something you have to consciously think about doing and it often gets overlooked because men are worried about what other men think. While I’m engaged to my fiancée (where Tinder facilitated our first conversations), if I were single, I’d need to have a professional photoshoot myself because I have next to no recent photos of myself on my own.
Candid dating profile photo captured at sunset in Piccadilly Circus in London.
Now, why am I writing all this? Little did I know, dating profile photography in London became something I’m not only passionate about, but what I look forward to doing. Building a relaxed relationship with clients and getting them comfortable with photos they’re confident about is fulfilling to me.
Outside of brand campaigns and editorials, where you’re removed from the results you create, working one-on-one with someone shows the meaningful results of your actions. These images change people’s lives. I’m delighted that I’ve had clients find their life partners from the images we’ve created together.
That said, when you explore my website and my portfolio, you won’t easily find my dating profile photography images (it’s in my website footer under services). Why is this?
My site is tailored to editorials and brands: pleasing to art buyers who are looking for photographers who are “masters of their craft”. This brings my wholly artistic work, like street photography and fashion, first and foremost.
Maybe the art buyer audience has found their way to this blog post and are reading these very words, and they’re probably wondering why Ian offers dating photography as a service on the same website at all. Well, that’s a bit to do with SEO and having my already existing and long-standing website easily discoverable.
The reality is, all photographers have their bread and butter services. While I dabble in the commercial and corporate worlds like headshots, as an extroverted person, the casual atmosphere of dating profile photos makes me look forward to shooting every day. I get to know new people and get them out of their shell by building genuine relationships. No gimmicks. I’m so used to working with subjects who aren’t models that directing those who are new to being in front of the camera comes naturally to me. Rather than going to a sterile office, I get to shoot in the best spots London has to offer. Then, it frees me up afterwards to create the art that I enjoy.
Dating profile portrait in a London pub.
Because of this, those who are looking for dating photographers (perhaps yourself) will search for this service and stumble upon my dating page. However, brands and art buyers who may discover me through referrals, publications, Instagram, or other sources will explore my website from my homepage. Rarely do people who stumble upon dating profile photography services decide “that’s what I need!”; they search for it. Conversely, an art buyer seeing “dating profile services”, as traditional of an industry they’re in, may see this as devaluing the editorial work I do. That’s the reality.
I feel the need to share this because the photography industry is pretentious. Being a master of your craft doesn’t mean you only shoot one thing and pretend the rest of your work doesn’t exist. I’m not trying to create some alternate persona who won’t take photos of anything else. I’m here to say dating profile makes up a big part of my life in London, but I still have to play the industry game, and I wanted to share this perspective with those unfamiliar.
Combined with running my studio, offering dating photography services affords me the ability to create all the art I love making while impacting people’s lives in a way I can see. To me, that makes me a pretty happy guy who’s fulfilled in the life that I’ve built here in London.
2. Why am I writing this guide
After sharing with the world my tips on why professional dating photos are a must, I wanted to make effective dating profile photography guides that are accessible to everyone – even if you’re not working with a professional photographer.
You don’t need expensive equipment to create effective portraits for dating apps like Tinder. In truth, you want to avoid the overly harsh sharpness that professional cameras create (that’s why I use a diffusion filter on my camera to soften the sharp edge my Canon R5’s sensor creates).
In such a competitive dating landscape, photos that complement your personality beyond appearance are what makes a first impression in 2025. While I can’t coach you on what to say to a match and how to date after you’ve made a connection, I feel a duty to share what I’ve learned in my years of professional dating photography to equip singles with tips that may very well change lives.
Especially for people who may struggle with certain elements, such as the short kings like myself, you can choose photos that compliment your strengths, shoot in a way that doesn’t make your height a detraction, and keep some cards close to your chest (read #4 for more on this).
There’s a simple formula and process to keep in mind when building a portfolio for yourself on dating apps. Like a portfolio, it should contain variety in an intentional way that tells a story.
I’ve worked with countless clients to create dating profile photos that not only look great but also attract the right kind of attention. The right images can spark conversations, generate more matches, and, most importantly, reflect who you truly are.
So, if your current lineup isn’t working, or you simply want to put your best foot forward, here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge profile photos.
Dating profile photo in Canary Wharf at sunset.
3. The six essential photos to include in your dating app profile
A strong dating profile isn’t just one great picture—it’s a curated selection that tells your story. The keyword to keep in mind when selecting your photos is elevated.
A Hinge profile features six photos, so I often build my recommended shot list around six core images to lean into. Here are the six key shots you should have, along with additional ones for apps like Tinder or Bumble. If one category works well for you, lean into it and include multiple of them.
1. The Confident Portrait
Your first photo should be clear, well-lit, and inviting. This is your hook photo that encourages someone to tap into your profile. Natural light, relaxed expression, and a genuine smile (or smolder, if that suits you better) will work wonders.
Storytelling isn’t as important for this one – but the background or environment you choose is. The background can reflect your personality. If you enjoy the city and consider yourself metropolitan, shooting somewhere with glass buildings and the city behind you communicates a polished appeal. If you’re more alternative, shooting somewhere with graffiti or exposed brick communicates that better. Or, a park with greenery suits just about anyone – but you should avoid the browns of dead trees in winter and plain soil ground.
Just because this is a headshot doesn’t mean you need to look into the camera. Some people have a good side they can lean into (it’s often their left, or the direction their hair flows from). Be relaxed and informal. This isn’t a headshot for a job interview. This is the gateway photo to everything else. It doesn’t need a story – it needs to look good and flattering.
When it comes to flattering, shooting with a camera instead of a phone makes a difference here. This is due to focal length. When you take a photo with your phone, it is naturally a wide angle lens. Wider angle lenses distort your face shape (namely, make your nose look bigger than it is and shrink the other proportions). What you want is compression.
Compression happens when you use a zoom lens (namely, around 70-135mm). This flattens your face to the most flattering proportions. Beauty photography is often about 100mm, while headshots in offices are often 85mm. If you aren’t a photographer, these may not mean anything to you – but focal length is the reason why I choose to always use my camera when taking photos for dating profiles versus using my phone. Even though a phone can help with the casual factor and the resolution is great, the way the lens is built on your phone, by its nature, is not good for headshots and portraits – but getting more of your body in it is fine.
If you don’t have a camera with a zoom lens, use your camera’s zoom instead. Use your phone’s built-in telephoto lens to take your portrait. That will help flatten your face at least slightly. Be mindful to avoid digital zoom versus optical. For example, iPhones have a 2x zoom as a separate lens, but a 3x zoom is digital: it just crops into your photo and reduces its quality.
The confident headshot for your dating profile shouldn’t be a formal business headshot. Keep it as casual and approachable as possible. It doesn’t need to be standing with your hands in your pockets either.
Your first image can be taken across the table like this using great window light. As long as your face is the focus with a confident and inviting expression – whether that’s a smile or a closed-mouth look.
2. The Candid Lifestyle Shot
A relaxed, in-the-moment shot that feels effortless is key. Especially in an elevated environment. Whether it’s a coffee shop candid or a casual street-style snap, the goal is to look like you’re genuinely enjoying yourself rather than posing too hard.
Lean into looking away from the camera for this one, and an inviting and approachable smile goes a long way.
A good lifestyle shot leans into storytelling. If you’re at a café – but you have no drink or props in front of you, why were you sitting there in the first place, and why was this photo taken? You want it to feel like you’re having coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in a while and they’re taking a photo to encapsulate that moment and the emotion you feel. Create a scene for yourself.
As many of my clients are working professionals, their career is important to them. Because of this, a working photo or other variations like working on a laptop, is a scene that commonly gets suggested. It’s important to separate business from personal life for these images. They can quickly become personal branding photos for your business rather than for your personal life.
Ask yourself: is this something you’d see on LinkedIn or on a dating profile? Would someone’s friend have taken this photo? Or, does it appear to be a staged photoshoot to boost an entrepreneur’s brand?
The candid working photo with a laptop can be done well for dating profiles, but it’s a tricky shot if you’re not coached by an experienced photographer – or if you’re new to being in front of the camera. If this photo is important to illustrate who you are, look off to the side out the window for better portrait lighting instead of focusing on your computer. Make it more about your face and you rather than the laptop. Incorporating other props like a journal or mug is handy.
Lifestyle means it’s in someone’s element – not just looking away. By leaning into this, it will make the candid expression that much more authentic. Lean into a hobby or interest to make that candid action more real than a pose. Holding a to-go cup of coffee, a phone, or a book gives your hands somewhere to go and makes the rest feel natural.
With all this being said, it can be easy to overthink this. If you like fashion and want to show your style, walking down the sidewalk well dressed and looking away as if you’re heading somewhere makes sense. However, if standing in front of a plain wall, your audience might question the authenticity of how organic it was, and it becomes a portrait rather than a candid lifestyle shot.
For more about the art of lifestyle photography, check out What is lifestyle photography? A London photographer’s perspective.
A candid lifestyle shot for my client’s dating profile, photographed in my studio. My client is a music producer and we wanted to emulate a scene of a performance space that communicates what’s most important to him in a natural and organic way – even though we set up this scene to look as if he’s performing in a café.
3. The Athletic Action Shot
Finding a tasteful way to show your physique and enjoyment for aerobic activities makes for a well-rounded profile. The important keyword is tasteful, so as not to give the impression that you may take yourself too seriously. This can do the opposite of improving your profile.
Specifically, this means avoiding an overly staged shot. Unless you’re a personal trainer, getting a photo of you mid-lift in the gym almost always comes across as too forced.
The majority of my clients I shoot with enjoy lifting and going to the gym as their main fitness interest, and they want to incorporate this into their profile. However, like the “working photo” as a common choice mentioned in #2. The Candid Lifestyle Shot, it can be difficult to get this right without looking like you’ve had a staged photoshoot or look like you’re trying too hard to impress.
Rather than getting a mid-workout photo, what I recommend for my clients is creating an image appearing to be taken either before or after the workout or sport. This can mean:
In gymwear, leaving the gym. This gives a reason to be wearing your gymwear, having a workout pump visible (if showing your physique is what you want), making it visually clear you enjoy going to the gym (this can make your gym of choice a conversation starter), but you’re looking towards your friend with an approachable expression (smiling or not) who’s taking your photo after you’ve just finished a workout.
This is way more approachable, relatable, and easy-going than, say, a mid-lift photo, for example, where you have fierce intensity. And especially better than a gym mirror selfie. If you’re a fitness competitor, or the gym is part of your career, maybe that makes sense and you’ll have competition photos to show – but for the average gym goer, I recommend deferring to making yourself look like an easygoing gym-partner to your potential match rather than someone who’ll be overly competitive.
Lacing up before playing sports. If you’re a footballer, rather than having an action shot of you dribbling (which you certainly can, though again, may make someone wonder why that photo was taken), have a portrait of you getting ready for a match. This is when a camera will likely be out anyway if you were to play casually. You’ll have more control of your lighting and surroundings this way – and you may not even need a pitch. This applies to tennis and all other sports – have you getting ready rather than mid-action, and bring the focus back to yourself rather than your ability to play an activity.
Mid-stretch or stride. This is best if you like yoga or running, for example. The scene to set is as if you’re helping out your running club or yoga teacher friend who’s looking to create content. Having you looking like you’re mid-run, looking back or at the camera is what most running clubs promote on their Instagram pages. You’re simply recreating this for yourself and it’s a more tasteful version of a mid-action shot that’s easy to produce. Same goes for yoga too – focus on standing movements that are more flattering for your posture.
For your athletic shot, instead of performing the activity, try controlling the situation more and creating a portrait that still highlights your physique and love for the activity.
Action shots may appear too forced – especially if exercising in the gym. Share an approachable portrait versus coming across as someone who may take themselves too seriously. Be conscious of who it is you’re trying to impress: lifting photos are often geared to other, often male, gym goers.
4. The Smart-Casual or Formal Shot
Londoners appreciate good style, and a sharp outfit can set you apart. You illustrate that you clean up well for important events with your potential partner. Especially if you work in an industry that encourages formal wear, like banking or law, wearing a suit for a photo makes sense and highlights this part of your life.
However, this kind of shot is completely optional. I am a photographer who usually wears hoodies, so a suited photo for me (if I was single) just isn’t my personality or style. I would substitute this for a similar styled photo walking down the sidewalk, but wearing another version of a tailored fit.
When it comes to suits and formal wear, contextual situations and environments matter. Put yourself in an environment where you would be expected to wear a suit.
Cocktail bars and hotel lobbies are great for this – or even outside of a hotel or events space. They’re places somewhere wearing a suit would get their photo taken. If you’re in London, head to a business area like Bank Street, Canary Wharf, Mayfair, or West London hotels for easy spots with clean environments. Unfortunately, the sidewalk outside of my East London studio just wouldn’t make sense.
A natural feeling smart-casual portrait photographed near St. Pancras Station in London. By choosing a more elevated neighbourhood, as the fronts of these buildings are hotels, you set the scene of where someone would organically be wearing a suit and not appear too forced.
5. The Social or Travel Photo
This can be one of the easiest to add to your profile. If you have a group photo where you’re identifiable, whether it’s a city break or night out with friends, use this one here. Avoid shots where people have to guess who you are.
By including a travel photo, you consciously show you mix well with others. Matches want to know that you’ll be a good fit for meeting their friends and representing them well when in public. Sharing that you socialize, even if you identify as introverted, is a great approach for creating an approachable presence.
Sharing an image of you with your friends – especially doing what you love – is a great addition if you’re the clear subject or if no one needs to guess who you are.
In this image, my client loves board games and we wanted to highlight that in a social way. To create a social scenario, I’ve actually put myself in the photo! My camera was placed on a tripod over my shoulder on a timer while we played. While it’s a highly choreographed scene, the result makes sense and created my client’s favourite image from our day.
Additionally, photos taken while traveling are often the most photogenic and usable dating profile photos my clients have already. However, if you don’t have a good travel photo handy – or you wouldn’t say your group photos with friends highlight your strengths (or that matches may have to guess who you are), try the following:
The travel bag hack: When I shoot with my clients, we shoot at many different locations in short succession, but make it look like we’ve shot on different days. As this requires an outfit change for each location, packing a travel bag is essential. As this is already in tow, an aesthetic travel bag makes a great prop for any scene.
By sitting at a café with a roller bag casually off to the side, it creates the impression you’re waiting for your flight on a layover and emulates a travel setting (as long as the café you pick appears to be geographically ambiguous). This is an easy hack when shooting for your profile to share your love for travel without needing to book a holiday away to get the photo.
If you’re feeling brave, walking out of a hotel with your bag creates great body language and is a natural opportunity for a full body shot. Plus, from my photography experience, shooting inside hotel lobbies will often have you kicked out, but walking out the front door has never caused any problems.
Using a travel bag or suitcase in the frame for a dating profile can add an element of storytelling and integrate your love for travel without needing to go on holiday to create the image. If you’re spending the day shooting dating photos, you’ll likely need a suitcase like this anyways!
6. The potential date photo
Lastly, like the social photo showing that you mix well with others, a photo of yourself enjoying activities that you could very well share with someone else is a great final photo in a set. Specifically, a shot that emulates a date.
Approaching a date emulation shot is something that’s most unique to my style when shooting. This doesn’t necessarily have to be in a pottery or cooking class – you still want the casual feeling and not have your match think this photo was staged.
Some great ideas for this are:
Prepping ingredients for cooking while smiling, like you’re cooking for a dinner party or a small group of friends
A shot from across the dinner table as the entrées have just arrived: think of it as a POV for what your partner would see on a dinner date
Looking back while walking in the park with a coffee in your hand
Looking at art in an art gallery like London’s Tate Modern or in the well-lit foyer of the British Museum (both free!)
Walking along landmarks like the Millennium Bridge near St. Paul’s in London or other popular pedestrian walking routes
Holding food in your hand at a food market like in Camden, Borough Market, or Leadenhall Market
Walking through the aisles of a book store (way more control and aesthetic environments than libraries)
Creating a POV and shooting across the table, like where a friend would be sitting, shows you would be great company on a similar date and makes a natural transition when taking your match into the real world and outside of the app conversation.
4. How to frame your image: How much of your body should you include?
For those who may not see themselves as tall, I would regard this as one of the most important sections. As I am short myself, this framing tip is my own rule of thumb for every portrait of mine.
Introducing the cowboy shot: the cowboy shot is a photo taken from just above the knees up. By not showing your feet in an image, you remove the sense of scale of height. This does not catfish or make anyone think you’re taller than you are. This removes height as an immediate identifier and ultimately a distraction. What the cowboy shot simply brings the viewer’s eyes and attention to your face rather than your entire body.
If you shoot cut off just below the knees, it’ll look like you’ve cropped in and just cut your feet off. Shooting just above the knees allows your entire body to frame your face and it draws the viewer’s eyes scanning upwards. This is ultimately creating a far more flattering portrait that makes it about you.
You’re welcome to crop in higher too for more portrait-oriented approaches – but always keep both of your shoulders in frame. Your shoulders then frame your face too and create a flattering portrait. When cropped in too tightly, it resembles more of an actor’s headshot than a casual portrait.
Don’t feel like you need to have your feet showing in any photo. Typically, I would recommend breaking up a profile in the following way:
1 portrait shot – from around the waist upwards (or higher). This is best for your Confident Portrait
2-3 cowboy shots – this applies for just about any recommended essential images
1-2 sitting photos – especially by leaning your arms on the table (bonus points for rolled up sleeves) or holding an object like a mug, you bring the attention to your face and create a natural opportunity for another flattering portrait. These are also easiest to get in situation, whenever at a café or restaurant
1 full-body portrait – this is best done as a walking photo in stride, as a static full body portrait (unless in a group photo) looks too stiff. By working in a stride mid-step, you create a flow of your body movement with great body language that leads your viewer’s eyes to your face.
The cowboy shot, taken from just above the knees and up, eliminates the sense of scale of height and removes it as a distraction. Your eyes flow to the face and make you the focus.
This image was taken at Leadenhall Market in London.
5. Where do I put my hands?
The age-old question for those who are not always comfortable or experienced being in front of the camera.
You don’t often have many casual options for a relaxed feeling portrait. Use this as a way to comfort yourself. Here are some principles to keep in mind:
Avoid putting your arms up against your body. You want your silhouette to show your body shape. By having your arms up against your body without creating visible space, your silhouette appears larger than it is and will rarely be flattering
Conversely, when you put your hands in your pockets (ideally, jackets), it naturally creates a bend in your elbows and ultimately a triangle of space between your arms and your body. This is why hands in pockets, if comfortable, is almost always the best default position. For women, it makes one hand placed on the hip towards the camera, one of the most flattering positions when shot well.
Arms crossed makes your arms look aesthetically nice, but the body language can be closed off. This can be good with a smiling looking away or laughing photo to mitigate the seriousness that a deadpan expression with arms crossed would create.
Adjusting your clothing: this is ideal if you’ve got buttons on your jacket, wearing a watch, have a sleeve with buttons to do or undo, or sleeves you can roll up.
Holding an object: it always feels the most natural when you give your hands something to do
Walking with a slight bend in your arm: this creates great body language and motion. Rather than your arms stiff by your sides, walk with a slight bend or even one hand in your pocket for a natural positioning.
If you’re seated at a table, rest your arms on the table and lean forward to help frame your face and draw attention to you and your eyes.
If seated without a table, rest your arms on your thighs like you’re leaning forward to coach a group of kids seated on the ground in front of you.
If you’re seated in a comfortable seat that encourages you to lean back, spread out your arms to create open body language that’s confident – rather than crossing your arms in any way over your body, which closes yourself off and looks as if you’re trying to protect yourself.
When at a table, having your hands on the table and framing your faces brings the attention to you and your eyes – especially if you bring your hands close to your face in a natural way.
This image was taken at the Tate Modern café in London.
6. What to Wear for the Best Dating Profile Photos
Your clothing choices should feel natural to you and your style, but visually engaging for a potential match. Here are a few key tips:
When in doubt, layers, layers, layers. Layers often always trumps an individual clothing piece. Unless you know you have an athletic build, multiple layers will always look better and add far more interest to your portrait.
A t-shirt looks best when seated, as it allows you to position your arms in more flattering ways. Whereas standing with your hands in your pockets while wearing a tee almost always doesn’t look as good as having hands in the pockets of a jacket.
Stick to neutral or solid colors that complement your skin tone. Avoid overly busy patterns or loud graphics.
Dress for the season. If you’re in winter, don’t attempt to make it look like summer by wearing a tee outside, it never works.
Lean into texture – especially loose-gauge sweaters or henley shirts with a button opening and waffle texture helps contrast your different wardrobe choices.
If you’re short, stick to tops with shorter hems to make you look taller. Long shirts make you look shorter. Same with shorts that go down below your knees. If you’re wearing shorts in the summer, cut above your knees will make you look taller. Don’t wear high-top shoes that hide your ankle with shorts either as it makes your legs look shorter.
Avoid hats. Unless you’re self-conscious about your hair, having styled hair always wins. Hats create the feeling of hiding something at times, and are less inviting.
Only wear sunglasses if it’s truly sunny out. Otherwise, don’t even think about wearing them when its dark and gloomy because you like the sunglasses. It goes back to dressing for the season.
If in doubt, smart-casual always works. If you have sleeves, rolling them up too almost always looks better, offers great body language, and is inviting.
Avoid old, ill-fitting, or wrinkled clothing. Even a great photo won’t save a sloppy outfit. Be sure to steam your outfits the night before
Don’t repeat outfits! Every photo needs to look like it was shot on a different day – even if you’re shooting them all in an afternoon
Again, STEAM YOUR OUTFITS BEFORE SHOOTING!
While this isn’t clothing, be wary of oil on your skin. Use oil absorbing pads to mitigate this or even translucent powder. Yes, makeup – even if you’re a guy. I bring makeup with me on every shoot. Translucent powder is what television news anchors use, which you may have seen in movies. This simply makes your skin appear matte and avoids any shine or grease – which is the hardest to edit out.
For more around colour theory and dressing smart, check out how to dress and prepare for portrait and headshot photography.
This image is a great example of neutral, complimentary colours with subtle branding. While he only has one layer with an undershirt, the rolled sleeves add depth and interest.
This image is also a great example of how direct sunlight when the sun is lower in the sky creates incredibly flattering shadows. Look at how well it helps the jawline pop in this image. On the other hand, the second image in this blog post at the very top is of this same client. That image was taken during overcast, only one hour before this photo. They’re both flattering – but create very different looks.
7. What locations are best?
Now this will vary for wherever you are in the world and not just London. Here are some types of locations that always work well no matter where you are in the world:
Lighting is always key, no matter where you shoot! I always have clients ask whether it’s better to shoot when it’s sunny or overcast. There are pros and cons to either side.
When its sunny, you get bright blue skies and at the right times of day (within 2-3 hours of sunrise or sunset in the spring and summer months or most of the time in the London winter months – when people’s shadows are much longer than they are tall), you get very flattering shadows that accentuate jawlines and facial features. However, sunlight at the wrong times of day when the sun is highest creates hard light that creates distracting shadows that give your photos an amateur look.
When it’s overcast, there’s rarely any shadows anywhere. It creates nice overcast lighting that’s good at any time of day. It’s pleasing to anyone and easy to make your scenes look like they were shot on different days. However, the lighting can be flat and boring. Shadows often add interest and depth to an image. Plus, the sky will be a boring grey.
The only thing you truly want to avoid is rain because of how it affects someone’s hair and darkens spots on their clothing.
Cafés and restaurants with big windows. Always, always get a table next to a window with the light hitting your face or to the side. This will make any camera take amazing photos of you.
Outside courthouse and public buildings. This may sound strange, but they’re usually beautiful buildings in big cities. Because they’re publicly owned, you’re able to shoot all around them without getting kicked out. This is great for portraits with nice architecture, but it’s best to keep the sign out front ambiguous and not make it obvious that you’re going to court.
Walking paths in parks. Rather than just in a park, a photo walking down a path uses the path itself to frame you and creates leading lines which are a naturally great compositional element.
International train stations. Especially in London, heading to one of the larger train stations has terrific natural light, creates an easy to shoot indoor space to splice in, and adds the element of travel
Book stores: more flexibility than a library, with better lighting to highlight their products
Places that are meaningful to you: go back to the date emulation idea and have something to talk about with the photo! Use the location as a conversation starter
Hotel lobbies: advanced-level choice as they’re not often fond of photographers, but they’re often well-lit with beautiful aesthetics
If you like to read, bookstores are a great way to effortlessly include this. The lighting is often better than libraries and it’s far easier to disappear into and take photos.
8. Should You Look at the Camera or Away?
Direct eye contact in photos builds connection, but too much can feel intense. A mix of looking into and away from the camera creates balance in your profile. Candid, in-the-moment shots feel authentic and inviting.
A rule of thumb is to consider looking at the camera when a friend would be taking that photo. Outside of one portrait that is acceptable to appear staged, others often look best looking away. Keeping your photos 50/50: looking away and looking at the camera is an easy rule.
A photo looking away, especially with a good jawline or beard line, breaks up a profile well. Never have every single photo looking directly at the camera – be sure to break it up with at least one looking away image.
This photo was taken outside of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London – a good spot for street style orientated photos with neutral backgrounds and great light.
9. Tips for making a natural smile – even when forcing it
This is one of the most difficult things for those who aren’t models: smiling when they should in front of the camera. These are tips I use with my clients to get a great smiling photo, whether looking at the camera or away, every time:
Consciously remember to smile with your eyes first. It’s as simple as this. Start with this idea in your head: “smile with your eyes”. Your eyes are everything in a portrait.
The squinch: this is a popular technique on YouTube and other realms within photography. A squinch is in between a squint and your eyes at rest. Your top eyelid comes down a little bit and your bottom eyelid even more. When you consciously remember the smile with your eyes, this gets far easier and happens more naturally, in my opinion.
The scrunch and open. This is a technique I’ve found unique to me and my style. It’s incredibly hard to hold a smile for an extended period looking at a camera. It’s far easier to do this in one quick motion. It makes your eyes and smile appear fresh rather than stale as you hold it for a photographer to take a photo
What you do is: scrunch up your eyes as hard as you can. If you’ve got heavy eye makeup, close your eyes tightly. On the count of three, open up into an expression: whether that expression is a teeth smile, a closed mouth smile, or a confident look. Repeat this scrunch, countdown, and open over and over.
If you find that your eyes stay too squinted when opening, try looking down at your feet instead and on the count of three, looking up. It achieves the same effect but through a different way.
This works well not only because it creates a fresh look, but frankly, I’ve found it makes my clients laugh. It’s weird, and if I can catch a candid laugh while they’re setting this up. That’s all I need.
The candid laugh. Though it is as simple as fake laughing, take in a deep breath, let out two short “ha, ha”’s, then one long “haaaaaaaa”. In that haaaaaaaa, this is where you stutter your laugh and smile to get that flattering laughing look in a controlled and methodic way.
The confident jawline. When shooting a closed mouth smile or expression, two easy things my clients use for a jawline that pops are: either clenching your jaw (so your jaw muscle pops) OR pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Very simple, but it gives you something to focus on and helps accentuate your jawline (continue reading to the posing section in #6 for more ways to emphasize this).
The organic laugh. There’s no gimmicks here, you’re simply getting someone to laugh. This is, of course, easiest when you’re comfortable with the photographer. This is why I hop on Zoom calls with my clients and have coffee and hang out for a while before shooting for intimate sessions like these. However, a tactical thing you can use is simply asking questions. One client taught me to ask someone to: “think about something they got away with that they shouldn’t have”. This has never failed to get an organic expression and laugh.
Even during a candid lifestyle shot, the scrunch and open method is great for an organic smile in any situation.
This image was taken in my studio in London, set to look like a performance space and illustrate my client’s love for music.
10. How to Pose for Natural and Confident Profile Photos
People are drawn to relaxed confidence, not forced posing. Here are a few quick tips:
Remember your posture. Keep your shoulders back and chin high. A tip I learnt from the book How To Talk To Anyone by Leil Lowndes (a great book and highly recommended, by the way), is called “hang from your teeth”. When you walk into a room, as you go through the door, imagine you’re biting onto a rubber block and your entire body is hanging from it. This pulls your chin up high, your chest out, and your shoulders back. Thinking about “hanging from your teeth” is a far easier and tangible way to remember one action to creating good posture.
Especially when sitting, remember an office chair. Specifically, think of the lumbar support that presses into your lower back. This naturally forces your body upward. Push that tailbone in and imagine you’ve got lumbar support whenever you’re sitting or standing.
Stand naturally with weight slightly shifted rather than stiffly planted. I strongly recommend having a leading foot: step forward with the foot closest to the camera. This shifts your weight and brings the shoulder closer to the camera slightly down for a more flattering pose.
Hands should be occupied: adjusting a jacket, holding a drink, or casually in pockets. Otherwise, if walking, a slight bend is great body language. Refer back to the Where do I put my hands? section.
Know your good side: For 80% of people I’ve found, it is their left side. A slight angle is great for many people. Sometimes, straight on will do better depending on your jaw and nose shape. You may know this best. An easy way to find out what side is your good side is identifying where your hair flows from.
A slight lean forward can feel engaging rather than rigid. Lean from the ankles – it’ll feel like you’re pushing off on your back foot. This helps your jawline. I tell my clients to imagine Michael Jackson when he does the full body lean from his ankles – but of course, far less dramatic than that.
If smiling feels awkward, try a subtle smirk or a laugh mid-movement. Take in a deep breath, and as you’re exhaling let out a laugh or chuckle for a more natural feeling. Refer back to the Tips for making a natural smile section.
Remember your body language. Keep your body open versus closed off. Ask yourself, am I hiding myself behind my arms, legs, or objects?
For more tips on posing, check out how to pose people who aren’t models for headshot and portrait photography.
This confident portrait of my client, taken outside of my studio, uses all the steps above: slightly bend arms (though the fit of his jacket hides the space between the arms and body – but the bend creates great body language), one leading foot so the front shoulder is slightly dropped, he’s on a slight angle, good posture standing upright, and a slight lean to help the jawline.
11. Editing & Retouching: How Much is Too Much?
The word to keep in mind is refining rather than editing or retouching. Don’t make something from nothing, refine what’s already there.
Subtle enhancements like lighting correction, straightening, cropping, white balance, contrast, and brightness are standard. When it comes to colour, a slight film look can always be pleasing along with a preference for warmth (though this is characteristic of my subjective style).
Over-editing kills authenticity. You don’t want someone to think this photo was edited. When someone knows it’s edited, it leads to the question “how much is this edited?”.
The dead giveaway for editing is always, always blurred skin texture. Don’t do it. Blemish removal is highly recommended, but the airbrushing look for dating profiles is never good.
When it comes to AI, this isn’t necessarily something that should be avoided. Specifically when it comes to removing distractions in photos. I use this for all my clients.
In Photoshop, I’ll use the lasso tool to select someone’s shirt to remove the wrinkles. I’ll remove people in the background. I’ll remove distracting elements on the wall behind them. I’ll remove blemishes and slightly whiten teeth. I’ll clean someone’s white shoes. These are all refinements rather than creating something that isn’t there. It all ultimately brings attention back to the subject.
Great lighting reduces the need for much editing. For this image, taken on the kitchen island of my studio, I applied a light film colour grade and straightening, but not much else. Keep it natural and organic is important. With his sleeves rolled, the wrinkles on the shirt made sense and I kept them in.
12. Final Tips for a Winning Dating Profile Photo Lineup
To ensure you have a well-balanced set of images, remember:
Your first photo should be clear, confident, and engaging.
When in doubt, layers, layers, layers when dressing for the shoot.
Avoid someone wondering “Why was this photo taken?” and creating a scene where a friend would take that photo.
Use your images to emulate what a date would look like with you.
Smile with your eyes. Then, scrunch and open for an organic smile.
When in doubt, put your hands in your pockets but create space between your body and arms.
Any camera can take great photos. Expensive cameras only mitigate poor conditions. Look for good light and big windows if inside.
Remember the cowboy shot: shoot from just above the knees up to not make height a distraction and remove the sense of scale.
Use the six best dating profile image types to make a well-rounded profile.
I made this guide for free because I know these tips may connect someone with their future life partner, and ultimately change lives.
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While I’m a professional London, UK-based dating photographer who offers dating app photography services for apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, you don’t necessarily need a professional photographer to make an outstanding profile in 2025.
If you’re not experienced in front of a camera, a professional dating photographer can elevate your profile and make you stand out in an increasingly digital dating landscape.
I specialize in creating natural, engaging portraits that help my clients make a strong first impression. If you’re ready to elevate your dating profile, be more selective with your time, and potentially find your life partner, let’s plan a session that brings out your best side. I invite you to contact me here.
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