Dating Photography

Authentic Dating Portraits — Hand crafted with experience, not templates

A great dating profile photograph doesn’t shout. It doesn’t feel staged, forced, or overly polished. Instead, it feels quietly confident, natural, and unmistakably you. That is the philosophy behind my approach to photographing people for online dating.

I work with individuals—not archetypes, not trends, and certainly not one-size-fits-all formulas. Every person who steps in front of my camera brings a different energy, story, and intention. My role is to observe that, guide it, and translate it into images that feel genuine and compelling.

A personal, individual process

Most people aren’t professional models—and they shouldn’t need to be. Feeling awkward in front of a camera is completely normal, especially when the photographs carry personal stakes, as dating profiles do.

That’s why my sessions are conversational, relaxed, and collaborative. I take time to understand who you are, how you want to be perceived, and what kind of connection you’re hoping to attract. From there, I offer clear, professional direction—subtle adjustments in posture, expression, and movement that help you look like the best version of yourself without feeling posed or artificial.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s presence. Confidence without bravado. Approachability without contrivance.

Expertise proven at the highest level

Having worked as a professional portrait and fashion photographer in Sydney and New York for over 25 years, one of the skills that I think is imperative is the ability to create flattering images of your subjects. To do this well requires mastering a combination of skills - including the ability to put your subject at ease, provide intuitive direction, along with good camera work and lighting. I work every week with people who have had little to no experience in front of the camera. Building their confidence, providing step by step direction, then watching them transform throughout the shoot is one of the things I still enjoy most about portrait photography. 

Kiren’s client’s

I’m grateful for the trust provided to me by previous clients, having been commissioned by local and international brands along with some of the world’s top model agencies in Paris and New York.

Kiren’s portrait list

Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Hugo Weaving, Baz Luhrmann, Billy Connolly, Julie Delpy, Olivia Newton John, Isla Fisher, Ita Buttrose, Kieran Perkins, Ellyse Perry, Dick Smith, George Negus, Erine Dingo, Sandra Sully, John Laws, Julie Bishop, Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, Former Prime Minister John Howard

A new you in 48 hours

Your online dating photos are usually ready in less than 2 business days. Simply upload them to your favourite dating app and you’re all set to go.

See options and prices

To receive a current Price List and organise a date for your shoot simply fill in the Contact page on this website.

Professional direction that feels natural

Good direction should never feel like acting. My guidance is grounded in observation: how you naturally hold yourself, where your expressions soften, when your confidence shows without effort. I help you refine those moments rather than replace them.

Small shifts—how you angle your shoulders, where your gaze rests, when to relax your jaw or engage a smile—can dramatically change how a photograph feels. These are details learned through years of working with people who depend on images to communicate credibility, allure, and authenticity.

What to wear

Having worked as a professional photographer in fashion and advertising, I’ve spent a lot of time casting people for various commercials and magazine stories. It’s given me a professional insight into the psychology behind peoples preferences when they look at images of other people.

When deciding on what to wear, my advice is to choose clothing that is flattering to your physique and colours that compliment your complexion. If you wish to look slimmer, wear darker colours, avoid white as well as horizontal stripes. Colours like blue are often good as they convey trust - which is why they are often used in advertising.

If you're planning 3 outfit choices, aim to show diversity by styling them from casual to semi formal. Add more dimension to your outfit choices by layering your clothing. Consider including everyday props such as hats, scarves and bags. Remember, on-line dating is not meant to be like a job interview, so avoid anything too formal. Feeling more comfortable in your clothing choices will help you to feel more confident and relaxed in front of the camera. At the end of the day authenticity is key. You want to be the best version of you.

Hair and make up

For women, you’ll want your skin to look fresh and vibrant. A common mistake is for women to over compensate and wear too much make up. While wearing make up may make you feel more confident, wearing too much will make you appear too formal. Try to avoid powder and foundation as it will make you look older and flatten out your features. Issues like skin blemishes can be retouched afterwards.

With hair, relaxed always photographs best. Long hair generally works beautifully worn down or loosely styled. If you prefer it tied back, a low ponytail or soft tie feels natural and effortless. Hair worn up or tightly styled tends to read as more formal, which isn’t ideal for dating imagery.

Ultimately, your hair and make-up should reflect your personal style. A good rule of thumb: wear what you would if you were meeting a friend for lunch or going on a casual first date. Familiar, comfortable, and confidently you.

The goal isn’t transformation—it’s recognition. When someone sees your photos, they should feel like they already know you.

For men who don’t already have a good personal grooming routine, consider exfoliating and moisturising your skin. This will help deliver a fresh healthy glow to your appearance. Drinking plenty of water in the lead up to your shoot - this will help your eyes and skin look fresh. Apply lip balm and hair product if required. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the day of your shoot.

If you intend to get a hair cut, try to book an appointment at least 5 days before your shoot. This will allow your hair time to settle back into it’s natural shape.

What to bring to your photo shoot

Accessories

• Aside from bringing your clothing, consider including hats, scarves, jewellery, watches or belts to enhance your various looks.

• Shoes: Choose footwear that will compliment your outfits - at least 2 pairs for full length shots. There’s no need to go overboard though as the images that will create the most impact in your online dating profile will be from the waist up.

Personal Items

• Makeup and touch-up kit: Bring makeup for any last-minute touch-ups and any products you may need.

• Hair products: Consider packing hair ties, brushes, or hairspray to maintain your hairstyle.

Logistics and locations

While I offer customised shoots, the current options listed on my Price Guide are designed to provide you with the best choices in terms of quality and value for money. The idea is to produce a set of images that give the impression that they were taken under casual circumstances. They also need to show diversity in terms of mood and expression and portray you across a variety of settings. Doing this gives the feeling that the photos could have been taken across multiple locations and on different days. As you can appreciate there is a lot of logistical work involved in order to make this happen in the most seamless and efficient way. For this reason I specifically select shoot locations that can achieve this based on both technical and aesthetic merits.

11 tips on how to look good in your online dating profile

If you’re adding your own personal photos to your online dating profile, or you’re reading this and am not yet ready to book a professional dating photographer, I’ve compiled a list of helpful tips below.

1. To smile or not to smile? This is going to come down to what you feel truely represents who you are. If you’re not a smiler, then don’t. People can tell straight away if a smile looks forced. In terms of gender, research has shown that women look more appealing when they smile and the reverse for men. I would only use this as a guide. That is, if you consider yourself to be the typical women or typical man. If in doubt, just be yourself. 

2. Avoid bathroom selfies. Need I say more.

3. For men, shirt on or off in a dating photo? If you have a good body, shirt off can work well and appeal to the viewer’s primal instinct - provided it’s done with taste and subtlety. For example where you are engaged in a sporting activity such as swimming or beach volley ball. In the case where it’s a bathroom selfie or a posed shot at the gym it’d best avoided as it can come across as showy or even aggressive. 

4. Aim to show some diversity and avoid repetition. Try to show a range of shots from close ups to full length.

5. Be sparing with group photos. Don’t make the viewer have to work through all your photos to see which one is you. They’re not here to play Where’s Wally.

6. Avoid shots with your ex in them or worst still where they have been cropped out of the photo. Tell tail signs being the abrupt crop at the shoulder or the extreme grainy close up where they have been cropped out altogether.

7. Avoid using air brush apps and filters. The one’s I’m referring to are the one’s that can smooth over your skin to the point that it looks synthetic. They inevitably look fake and will raise suspicion in the eye of the viewer.

8. Avoid too many photos where you are holding a drink in your hand. Also consider what is in the background of your pictures. Things like the type of food you are eating all contribute to your story. They are the only thing a viewer has to go off. 

9. While sunglasses look cool, when it comes to online dating I would suggest limiting them to one or two photos. The eyes really are the window to the soul. Hiding them behind sunglasses can be a missed opportunity. 

10. Your opening photo really needs to be top notch. Like a magazine cover it needs to draw the viewer in. Ideally it should be a medium close up without other people in it.

11. Finally, use up to date pictures! While I have clients that come back throughout the year to update their summer and winter wardrobes, if you’re not having your dating photos professionally shot you want to at least make sure they are not more than 3 years old. While most of us wish we could rewind the clock, it’s not going to go well for you on your first date if you don’t look like your profile picture. This is really important. Be proud of your life experience and embrace the opportunity for change. 

What people are saying

“Hey Kiren,

I've gone through the pictures and am really happy with them. I uploaded them to a dating profile a couple of hours ago and have had to turn off notifications I am getting so many. My family also all loved them and said you really captured my personality in them.

Thanks again!”

- DM, Sydney AU

“Hey Kiren – just letting you know I have uploaded some of the pictures to my online profile and they look AMAZING! 102 matches in 4 hours – OMG! Thanks mate – you made me look so good, I think the ladies will be super disappointed when they meet me (LOL).”

Dan, Sydney Australia

Hi Kiren, Awesome work. Many thanks, you did such a great job. You ought to charge twice as much! I hope you do wedding photos as well, because I'm bound to wife someone up really quick with these photos! Hahah thanks again mate, and stay in touch!

J.N. Sydney, Australia

“I want to say I’m very impressed with your work! You made me feel completely confident at every stage of the photo shoot. I will continue to recommend you to my family, friends and colleagues.

H.M. Sydney

Hi Kiren,

Thanks so much, you did a really great job with these photos! Couldn’t be happier with how they all turned out.

Really appreciate your help with this project, thanks again!

Mark, Sydney