There’s a lot to love about the Ballard area of Seattle for professional dating photography. Ballard is just a little north of Seattle downtown and has it’s own totally unique vibe with tons going on in terms of shops and restaurants, night life, and the Ballard Farmers Market on Sundays – so many opportunities for shooting some rad dating photos!
Plus, the king of all Seattle waterfront parks is in Ballard – Golden Gardens. *Discovery Park and Alki Beach are also fan favorites but c’mon, that sandy beach at Golden Gardens on a summer afternoon? Dreamyyyyy.
Another solid reason to choose Ballard for your Seattle online dating photoshoot is if you live in nearby! Online dating photos at home are especially great because they give people clues about what your life is like.
The best dating photos don't just show people what you look like, they tell a story about what you're like as a person.
If you want to shoot "out and about" dating lifestyle photos AND dating photos at home, all in one photoshoot, it's best to choose locations that are near each other, like we did for Kellan when he was ready to ring in the new year with some updated Hinge profile photos.
We began Kellan’s Level-Up dating photoshoot with lifestyle photography along Ballard Ave, Market Street, and Leary.
We got graffiti, date vibes, and sunshine (in Seattle. In January! a true pacific northwest miracle✨). When we were done shooting photos around town we headed to Kellen’s home, just a couple blocks north of downtown Ballard, for some dating lifestyle photos that show off his musical side.
By the way, if you’re an audiophile like Kellan, Ballard is the home of one of my favorite record stores in Seattle: Sonic Boom Records.
Are you in love with Ballard for online dating photos yet? If not, you will be soon 😘.
(this not an exhaustive list by any means, more like a “Seattle Dating Photography: Ballard Highlights Reel” situation )
Nine times out of ten I do my work as a dating profile photographer in the morning, before the city is fully awake yet (fewer people around + gorgeous morning light = killer dating photos). So, I often meet my dating photography clients at a cafe or coffee shop to begin.
On the corner of Market St & Leary Ave NW, Victrola Coffee Roasters is in the perfect central location for Ballard dating photography. Victrola has good coffee, classic PNW coffee house vibes, and a very photogenic storefront with a distressed wood bar. Tom and Emily both started their online dating photography sessions at Victrola Coffee.
For tea enthusiasts, Miro Tea in Ballard is a total gem, plus the atmosphere feels a little bit like Paris with big picture windows and a set of cute little bistro tables out front – perfect for dating photos that invite your ideal matches to imagine sitting across from you on a first date.
Speaking of French cafe vibes, Sabine Cafe & Bar is my favorite brunch spot in Ballard and has a truly lovely interior for Seattle lifestyle photography. There’s an outdoor patio with a fireplace and colorful floral murals, an indoor bar and restaurant area, even the front entry is photogenic.
David and I met for coffee at Sabine to start his Seattle online dating photoshoot. Sabine’s location on Ballard Ave set us up nicely to shoot a wide variety of dating photos in a relatively short amount of time (since we were never walking more than a block or two from his car).
When David and I wrapped up shooting lifestyle photos around Ballard Ave, we made the quick drive over to Interbay Golf Center.
Whatever you enjoy doing to stay physically fit and active, it’s a good idea to show that in one of your online dating profile photos. Almost everyone wants a partner who takes good care of themself and is physically healthy.
Speaking of sporty...
Golden Gardens Park is an iconic Seattle landmark and has soooo much going on in terms of dating photo opportunities (it's also a beautiful spot to take a date!). When it comes to locations for outdoor Seattle dating photography, Golden Gardens slays. It has:
A sandy California-style west facing beach complete with beach volleyball courts...
A rugged, tree-lined rocky north beach...
A basketball court + a dog park...
A lovely little cove of trees in the sand...
Woodsy areas + a walking path down to the Shilshole Bay Marina...
AND…Golden Gardens Park has BATHROOMS! 🙌🏻 Not a spot I'd shoot dating photos but a serious perk for a Seattle park.
. . .
Whether you choose to have a friend shoot new online dating photos for you, or hire a professional dating photographer (me!), it’s worth giving Ballard a shot (woot! photography pun 📸 )
Give me a shout when you’re ready to start planning your Seattle dating photography session.
I help people find love on dating apps like Hinge and Bumble. My superpower as a professional dating profile photographer is less about photography skills and more about my way with people. I make regular folks look confident, warm, totally genuine, and effortlessly magnetic in their online dating photos by making them *feel* confident, warm, and magnetic in real life.
