Dating Photography

With more than 2/3 of single people in Sydney now using dating apps to find their future partners the need to stand out in the crowd has become more important than ever before. Having flattering and well crafted dating profile photos will not only increase your results, it can build self confidence and also provide an opportunity for self renewal.

Enhance your online dating profile 

Social media is all about connecting with others. In order to create a more personal experience for the person viewing your photos it’s important to be authentic and use an up to date portrait.

Apps such as Tinder, Bumble, Grinder, Hinge or the League are primarily visual mediums. In order to create a good first impression your dating profile photo needs to instantly captivate your audience.

Having good profile photos will enhance the way others perceive you and add value to your personal brand.

Advice for first timers

The idea of undertaking a professional photo shoot for the first time can sometimes feel a bit daunting - which is really normal. For this reason I provide step by step on-camera direction. I’ve been working with people who are new to being in front of the camera for over 25 years. I employ some of the very same techniques I use when I work with professional actors and models, such as how to achieve a natural pose or how to project energy in your photos.

Why choose Kiren?

Having worked as a professional portrait and fashion photographer in Sydney and New York for the last 25 years, one of the skills that I think is imperative in order for a photographer to survive 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 and watching them transform throughout the shoot is one of the things I still enjoy most about portrait photography. 

When it comes to online dating photography, I’ve also had the unique experience of being one of the early pioneers of the genre. Looking back at my early days in New York, I’ve seen online dating evolve from discreet ads in Craigs List to something that is now a part of our everyday lives. Though years of research and listening to peoples stories I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge in this field.

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

Booking a shoot for your professional dating photos is easy. Simply email me using the contact page on this website. I can usually get back to you the same day with a range of dates for your session. 

Investment

Dating Profile Portraits

Your Dating profile portrait session provides you with a set of individually graded high res image files which you can upload to any social media platform. The focus of the session is to capture a range of flattering looks and expressions across multiple poses. It involves a variety of set-ups at selected locations with up to 3 outfit changes. The price for both the session and 60 digital images is $689 + gst

Dating Portfolio

The Portfolio is a more customised shoot that provides for multiple locations allowing you to include for example a mix of both urban and natural settings. Having a longer session allows time for lifestyle set-ups in cafes and can include up to 6 outfit changes as well as the option of some black & white looks in your repertoire. It can also be handy for people who are camera shy and would like more warm up time. The shoot provides you with a complimentary coffee at one of Paddington’s local cafes - which we can use for one of your looks. You receive the session along with a set of 120 individually graded digital images for $1,189 + gst.

Turn around time

All files from your online dating shoot are usually ready within 3 business days. Simply download these to your computer and you’re all set to go!

Logistics and locations

While I offer customised shoots, the two options above 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.

What to wear

Having over 2 decades of experience as a photographer working 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. Long hair is best left down or tied back in a low tail. Having your hair up tends to look too formal. 

Like clothing, hair and make-up for your dating photos is going to come down to your personal style. As a guide, simply apply the same amount that you’d wear if you were meeting a friend for lunch.

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 up to 2 litres of water a day in the lead up to your shoot can 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.

Feeling self-conscious about having a professional photographer take your dating photos?

We live in a visual world where people now use professional photography for both professional and personal branding. Using professional photos shows that you take care when it comes to your appearance. It in fact takes your personal brand up a notch and conveys that you have an appreciation for style and aesthetics. It also shows that you are smart in terms of outsourcing the things you’re not good at. Most importantly, it shows that you are serious about finding a partner. 

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 perhaps if 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? This is fine 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 should be avoided altogether 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 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 including them in only one photo. The eyes really are the window to the soul. Hiding them behind sunglasses can be a real 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 professional 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