When Jihad reached out to me, his divorce had been finalized and he was stepping back into the dating world for the first time in more than a decade.
He was 51, an entrepreneur living in Belltown, and open to finding a real partnership again — but he had never used dating apps before.
Online dating felt completely foreign to him. And, like a lot of men in this stage of life, he didn’t have usable photos.
So when he tried setting up a Bumble profile, he stalled out.
That’s when he reached out.
Jihad’s situation is one I’ve seen countless times over more than a decade as a dating photographer.
Objectively, Jihad is an absolute catch:
He's smart, mature, handsome, professionally accomplished, financially stable, owns a beautiful home. He's also well-dressed and an absolute gentleman.
But photo evidence of all this? There was none.
Jihad needed photos that showed his
So we set out to fix that.
We shot Jihad’s dating photos in and around his home in Belltown, capturing moments that reflect his real day-to-day life so the right kinds of women are drawn in. His photoshoot plan included:
Nothing about this had to do with transforming Jihad or making him look like someone he's not. It was 100% about highlighting who he actually is, giving an authentic glimpse into his world, and showing women what spending time with him might feel like.
Wondering how a Seattle dating photoshoot like this takes shape? Check out How it Works.
When his new dating photos were ready, Jihad launched his first-ever Bumble profile.
These were the six photos he used:
This was May of 2023.
Stepping into online dating for the first time, Jihad had no idea what to expect. (He used the name Gianni since that's what most of his friends call him).
The response was immediate.
He started getting a steady stream of likes and matches from smart, interesting women who wanted to meet him.
Several commented on the quality of his dating photos.
His calendar filled up quickly.
A couple weeks after launching his profile, he sent me a thank-you note:
He told me the photos were helping him meet amazing people and feel again — something he hadn’t been sure would happen after his divorce.
(if you've been through a divorce, you can probably relate. I know I can.)
In June, about a month after launching his Bumble profile, Jihad met Anastasia.
And soon his calendar was full — but only with her.
On NYE Jihad sent a picture — he and Anastasia have been exclusive for seven months!
Early in 2024 Jihad sends pictures from their vacation in Fiji.
In September I get a text from Jihad — he and Anastasia are getting married!
Not in some distant future — in a few weeks.
And he wants to know if I'll photograph their wedding.
Of course I said yes.
On a warm October afternoon, Jihad and Anastasia exchanged vows at the Seattle Municipal Courthouse, surrounded by close family and friends.
After the ceremony we walked over to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel for portraits before their celebration dinner at the George. Below are a few of my favorite photos from their wedding:
I’ll never get over the honor of being trusted to photograph both a client’s beginning on the dating apps and their next chapter in love.
From newly single and not sure if he'd ever find love, to building a dating profile with authentic, high-signal photos, to meeting the love of his life, to saying “I do.”
All in less than 18 months.
🐝 May 2023 — Launches Bumble with new dating photos
❤️ June 2023 — Meets Anastasia
🌴 March 2024 — Trip to Fiji together
💍 October 3, 2024 — Married in Seattle
See more Seattle dating photography results — or read how David met his wife on Hinge (a very similar timeline).
Jihad was a great guy with a good life, he just needed photos that showed it.
If you're in a similar boat and curious what a Seattle dating photography session could look like for you...
Or read some of my 300+ 5-star Google reviews