How to Pick the Right Dating Profile Photo

These days it’s almost impossible to find a romantic partner without wading into the turbulent waters of online dating sites. More people than ever are turning to websites like OKCupid, Match.com, and eharmony to find love, but I often see them making a major mistake before they ever send that first message: choosing the wrong profile photo.

At first glance it might seem odd for a corporate headshot photographer to weigh in on matters of the heart and physical attraction, but honestly, the same principles that guide my work for LinkedIn and company websites images apply to creating an online dating profile. The goal is the same — to make a great first impression and leave the other party wanting to learn more.

Selfies Often Give the Wrong Impression

User-submitted photos on dating sites are often way over the top. It’s important to remember that they’re giving potential suitors their first impression of you. This impression can have life-altering consequences, for better or for worse.

The “worse” can come in many forms that anyone who uses social media regularly will probably be familiar with: There’s the shirtless guys who took selfies in their bathroom mirror; women using Snapchat filters to change their eye color, give the illusion of makeup, and add flowers or other décor that obscure their face; app screenshots from dark, poorly lit night clubs; group photos where you can’t even tell which person the profile belongs to; and so on.

Smartphone selfie cameras and their assorted software are powerful pieces of technology, but only when used responsibly. The lighting, angle, background, exposure and body language are all factors that determine how natural, authentic, and appealing you come off in your personal photos. Built-in filters and sliders can only go so far, though, and eventually, you might want to call on the expertise of a professional.

If you want to try portraying something and someone you’re not, I'm not the right photographer to offer advice. But if you want an honest and authentic portrait to represent you at your best across the internet, then read on.

Three Keys to Successful Dating Portraits

In the studio, I guide clients through a range of angles, poses, and lighting setups to find the perfect combination. Sometimes casual portraits evolve naturally from the process as we incorporate more laid-back expressions or body language. Regardless, the goal in a professional image is to help people look their best in the most authentic way possible. That requires responsible retouching, skilled posing, and a wardrobe that reflects the client’s personality. Consider these same three concepts when choosing — or photographing — your own dating profile images.

Retouching

Responsible retouching means that you must still look like you, with real skin texture. Those same filters and apps we love, along with a “Photoshop-everything” culture, have conditioned people to think it's necessary or desirable to make them look like someone they’re not. Retouching is there to make you look like the best version of yourself — like you've had the best night’s sleep in years. You shouldn’t look 20 years younger.

In a more practical sense — you must be instantly recognizable by your profile image if you meet a special someone for coffee or a drink. If your image fails that test for any reason, it's time for a new picture, and possibly even a new approach.

Can we still do some slimming and trimming of the human form? Sure! A little tucking and shaping is very doable and definitely makes a big difference. A good photographer will (respectfully) let you know when it's time to stop, and why.

Posing

If you're serious about meeting someone, you've gotta be comfortable showing your full self. I love a tight headshot, but consider including images in maybe a 3/4 portrait look, too.

Lifestyle and beauty platforms have filled pop culture with all sorts of do’s and don’ts in terms of poses. Posing is one of the most challenging pieces to people photography. Great posing takes refined direction from the photographer. As the subject, you’ll likely feel odd or even uncomfortable, but will look effortless in the final image.

Women often pass along tips to take high-angle shots to hide double chins or make their eyes appear larger and more doe-like. But did you know this technique instantly puts you in a position of weakness?

Facial expressions are just as important when it comes to posing. Have you heard of the squinch?

Wardrobe

Dressy or casual? It’s up to you. There’s nothing wrong with a sport coat or being a little dressy. I don't think you need to go too formal, though. Wear what reflects your personality — what you’re most comfortable in. Remember, we’re trying to emphasize the parts of you that you already love, not try to create a whole new persona. Check out my FAQ page for more specific advice.

Selecting the Right Background for Your Portrait

Many online dating guides advise using candid or lifestyle photos — basically, having someone take a picture of you just living your amazing life and letting the setting speak for itself. It’s a good instinct, but it’s often easier said than done. A portrait studio, on the other hand, guarantees the weather will cooperate and the light will be just right any time of day.

I’m not here to discount outdoor images, but the logistics can become tricky if you have a busy professional calendar. A good photographer will portray you as fun and approachable in any setting, so you might as well show yourself off in the best light possible (in the studio) and not worry about bad weather ruining your hair or makeup.

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Keep these tips in mind for any portrait. Are there questions I missed? Let me know in the comments. If you’d like to discuss a sessions for yourself, let’s talk. If you’re ready to book, you can do that too!

A Portrait Studio Near You

Settling into the New Photography Studio

Time flies! I’ve been in my new Troy headshot studio for over a month. It’s hard to believe.

Portrait Photography Conference

To keep things interesting, I decided to attend a conference and tradeshow right after opening the studio.

I was at the WPPI Conference + Expo in Las Vegas. Check out the full post. I’ve been to this conference in the past, but attending this year so soon after the studio move has given me a different perspective as I grow my business. Besides getting the opportunity to enjoy some warmer, sunnier weather, I also learned a lot about new trends and advancements in the portrait photography industry. One trend was very clear — headshot photography is only getting bigger. Nearly everyone I talked to in the wedding or portrait disciplines either has started offering professional portraits or is seriously considering it. The jump is not seamless, though — I would encourage you to stick with a specialist.

I’m excited to integrate some new ideas or approaches as the year progresses. Stay tuned for a separate post on the conference and my takeaways.

Troy Portrait Photography — Finding The Perfect Space

Before moving to Troy, I shared a space in Rochester, which, while cozily located right in the middle of downtown Rochester, didn’t provide as much freedom for me to permanently set up equipment or create a custom layout. Of course the tradeoff was lower overhead. But with a growing client base, the tradeoff was outweighed by the need for a fixed space.

When I was first scoping out my current studio in the Mercantile Bank building, the open space immediately jumped out as a major perk. It needed almost no buildout. Just some new flooring and a fresh paint job, and I was good to go. Painting a studio is pretty easy — the choices are white, or black. Gray is an option too, if you want to live dangerously. The idea is to stay neutral and avoid any potential light contamination or color casts created by the studio lights reflecting off walls, floors or ceilings. So having a fun accent wall isn’t really an option.

And as more and more photographers have begun working either exclusively on location (like local parks) or out of their own homes, photo studios have become increasingly hard to find — so the good ones have to be really accommodating. The fact that my space can hold a vanity area, client meeting space, print display, and changing area is important in offering a full portrait experience. With the convenience, efficiency, and flexibility I can offer now that I’m right in the Big Beaver corridor, I know more great things are in store for 2019.

As far as the décor and finishings, there’s still work ahead, but I’ve aimed for a comfortable, minimalist style that allows my clients to relax and their personalities to really shine in the final portraits. With lots of new clients enjoying the space already, the value has come through in every shot.

As I continue to work on the first impression my studio conveys, how’s your first impression management coming along for the year? Has it been a while since your last business portrait? Make your appointment today! Or if your business is growing and could use a little marketing attention, I’d love to help you with some custom stock images.

How Photographers Network at WPPI 2019

Recently, I traveled to Las Vegas for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference (WPPI). It’s one of the largest conferences for people photographers. Attendance hovers in the thousands!

Aside from escaping the rough Midwest winter (although it did snow in Vegas a few days before I arrived), it’s an energizing event. February is typically a little slow for wedding and family photographers, but not for me, so I had to make a carefully timed break. Headshot photography demand remains this time of year. In fact, the beginning of the year always has a bit of a rush. Think gym memberships. The good news is that once you get a headshot, you don’t have to keep coming back to the studio a few times a week to maintain it.

The Print Competition

The conference hosts an international print competition where judges scrutinize every conceivable detail of printed work. Watching the process is a learning experience. This is an area I just haven’t pursued. With the daily management of my business, it hasn’t made sense for me. But who knows... I did attend a very interesting lecture on fine art printing of digital images. This is a discipline of photography that has so far escaped me. Accessible training is limited. And the experts are difficult to find.

Keynote Photographers

We heard from Alexi Lubomirski, one of the keynote speakers, and the most recent royal wedding photographer. He’s actually a fashion photographer. He acknowledged that he got a lot of negative social media feedback on a couple images. We photographers tend to get hung up on details that only matter to other photographers.

Photography Gear And More Gear!

The huge trade show is a great way to keep up with the latest trends and equipment. This is the best opportunity to pepper the manufacturers with questions. Nikon and Canon have made a huge push into mirrorless camera technology. Up until recently, they had been slow to the game. Sony, Fuji, and others have a solid head start. As a Nikon shooter, it was good to see they’re now in the game. Mirrorless is the future, there’s no doubt.

With Nikon technicians on hand, it’s a perfect time to get cameras cleaned and checked. We subject our cameras to a lot more wear and tear than a consumer camera. While they are quite rugged, a tune up never hurts.

Back to Business

I always try to attend as many business classes as possible. After all, when running a business, if I can effectively market my work, it doesn’t matter how good my images are. So topics like SEO and social media or video marketing are critical.

Among Friends

And of course it’s great to be among fellow photographers facing the same challenges I do each day. We can compare notes, share tricks, sympathize with struggles and offer a fresh take lingering business challenges.

Did you attend WPPI? What did you think?

If you’re in another line of work, what’s your industry flagship conference? I’d love to know.

Troy Photography Studio Update

It's been a crazy few weeks, but I'm excited to announce that I'm up and running in my new Troy studio. Here’s a quick update on what I’ve been working on and some thoughts on running a small business.

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On Outsourcing

Since my last update, the furniture has been delivered and assembled! Yes, I outsourced the furniture assembly. Me spending 3 days fiddling with boxes and instructions doesn’t make sense.

As a business owner, it’s critical to recognize when it makes sense to outsource. I try to outsource tasks when there’s something else I can be doing to build the business. Remember the idea of opportunity cost from economics? Bookeeping, for example, is a huge mental drain on my energy and time and I bring no additional value to the process. I can better use that time to generate new business through marketing efforts — blogging, networking or generating social content. Most importantly, that extra time is spent serving my clients — that’s why they hired me.

On Spreading the Word

Press releases have been submitted. Yes, some might say a traditional press release is out of touch with current media trends, but I believe in reaching people in the channels they already read. With a big corporate audience, press releases make sense. Plus, as a member of the Troy and Rochester Chambers, I can submit a press release as part of my membership.

I’ve updated the address in my Google Business listing and Chamber directories. Having a dedicated local presence is great for SEO — so I wanted to make sure to leverage that benefit as soon as possible.

On Soft Openings

I don’t think anyone is every 100% ready when opening a business. There’s always some little detail that could use additional attention. But the perfect opening that never happens benefits no one. So, my scheduling software is updated which means you can book an appointment in the new space right now! As I get settled, additional appointment availability in February and beyond will be coming!

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Have you recently moved a business? Or do you struggle with outsourcing and delegation? If so, drop me a note. I’d love to hear about the challenges you faced.

If you’re due for a new headshot, make an appointment today. I can’t wait to show you the space!

Coming Soon — Troy Photography Studio

What better way to kick off 2019 than to announce my new Troy Photography Studio!

In just a few short weeks, I’ll be moving in. All the details will follow. At the moment, I’m buried in all the planning details. Furniture decisions, space planning, technology considerations, internet access, light stands, backdrops and so many other random little details. Thankfully, my wife got me the most important detail — a coffee maker!

Thanks to your support, this past year was my best by far. The need for a dedicated studio space became very clear over the summer. It’s something I’ve been pondering for a long time. But this was the first time it just made sense.

Individual Headshot Clients

Individual clients will benefit from a fixed space where I can really refine the entire client experience. And with a location in Troy, right off I-75, I’ll be more accessible to the larger metro Detroit area.

Corporate Photography Clients

Corporate clients will benefit as well. I’ll still be available to travel to a conference room near you, but as my corporate base grows, the need for makeup and new hire sessions grow too. When photographing lots of people in a day or two, things come up. The dreaded fire drill email from the boss, a pressing client need, or illness all are quite common. Accommodating these last minute changes will be just a simple calendar appointment away.

The studio will also be a great meeting place. Client and networking meetings will be a snap. And I’m also looking at the possibility of offering small workshops. Do you have an idea for a workshop? Or would you like to partner on a workshop? Send me a note!

Look for appointments in the new studio very soon

If you want to pencil something in, let me know. The month will book up fast. Otherwise, keep an eye on the blog for updates. If you’re not already getting my newsletter, I’ll be sending an update there as well.

Thanks again for your support. Make it a great year!