With many dating apps being picture first, the quality of your profile photos is vital. You don’t want to rely on selfies or pictures taken by friends, instead opt for professional online dating photography.
Your photographer should be able to light and pose you so that your images look like they were snapped by a friend, but with added polish. This is what will set you apart from the masses of bad dating app pictures.
Headshots
If you use dating apps or websites, it’s important to have several great photos. This includes a headshot, full body photo, and lifestyle photo.
The headshot is the first image potential matches see when looking at your profile. A great dating photographer will work to capture your best side and show off your facial features in the most flattering way possible.
Avoid selfies or having friends take your pictures. The wide angle lenses on smartphones tend to distort the face and will not give you the most flattering result.
It’s also a good idea to have one or two lifestyle photos that demonstrate your personality and hobbies. This could include a shot of you hiking, playing sports, or reading. These shots will help potential dates connect with you on a more personal level and will likely increase your response rate. The more time you put into preparing for your shoot, the better the results will be.
Full Body
Full body shots are an essential part of a good dating profile because they give you the opportunity to highlight your physique. They also give potential love interests a chance to see your sense of style. Plus, in an age when catfish wreak havoc on dating apps, full body photos make it a little more challenging for someone to steal your photo and create a fake account on your app.
Hernandez says that when taking full body pictures, it’s important to avoid using any sort of facial filters on your face. By doing this, you’re not being completely honest with your love interest.
Hernandez’s clients include men and women from all walks of life. He helps them with app choice, profiles + photos, messaging, date planning and red flags, grooming/hygiene, hobbies, lifestyle choices & more. He has helped hundreds of singles be more efficient, knowledgeable and effective in their online dating lives. He has a unique insight into dating app algorithms and understands dating cultures across locations, demographics, ages, genders & orientations.
Engagement
The best time for engagement shots is spring and autumn, when the trees are in full bloom and offer a beautiful backdrop. However, the weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to check the forecast before you schedule your photoshoot. You don’t want to be shivering for your entire session.
Hernandez has taken hundreds of photos for his clients in the past few years, mostly for dating apps. He charges them $875 for three hours of shooting in multiple locations. He says high-quality profile photos get more quality likes and matches on dating apps, so the investment is worth it.
He also helps people navigate the app dating landscape by providing guidance on app choice, profiles, photos, wardrobe, messaging, date planning, red flags, time wasters, grooming/hygiene, hobbies, lifestyle choices and etiquette. He’s worked with men and women of all ages, races and orientations. He provides specialized services for POC, short guys and introverts. He’s a former engineer with a background in data analytics and a photographer.
Family
Hernandez often shoots couples with their kids for dating app photos. He charges clients $875 for three hours of shooting time and also gives them a few tips on their app choice, profiles, photos, wardrobe, messaging, red flags and where to meet singles. He advises them on everything from how to take a good profile picture of their torso to how to avoid posting pictures with friends who could all be him (that’s a big no-no in communities that value privacy). His clients are POC, short guys, introverts and engineers.Dating app photographer