Full disclosure, this post is mostly aimed at reducing photoshoot anxiety for my shy introverts who get all tangled up with nerves about having their picture taken in public. It’s also a bit of an excuse to share some of my favorite Seattle dating photography photo bomber moments from the past year. If you want you can skip right to the end for those hilarious gems.
Ok, so you’re thinking about hiring a professional dating photographer (or you've already hired one, hopefully me!) but your stomach seizes up at the thought of having your picture taken. Add to that the thought of being out in public while someone is taking your picture – and maybe we’re at full-blown nausea.
I feel you, and you are not alone.
As is true with a lot of anxiety, there’s probably a fair amount of you imagining a scenario that is much worse than actual reality; conjuring up visions of strangers gawking at you while you stand stiffly with an awkward smile on your face just praying to be put out of your misery.
Let me put your mind at ease a little bit by describing what a Seattle dating photography session (yes, out in public) is actually like. If you can’t fully believe everything I’m about to say, at least give me the benefit of the doubt and stir these ideas in with your doomsday dating photography fears for a vision for something you can most definitely stomach.
First of all, 99.9% of the time I meet my dating profile photography clients shortly after sunrise (or as my dad says “the ass crack of dawn”). If you’re thinking “oh god, I’m getting my picture taken AND she wants me to wake up super early? Hear me out:
Picture it: the city is still waking up, meanwhile it’s you and me with my camera and just a few folks walking dogs or getting their morning coffee. Plus, morning light is gorgeous and so flattering for portraits. Plus PLUS, traffic and parking aren’t bad yet!
And, in case you’re imagining people stopping to stare, trust me that after more than a decade as a dating photographer and over 500 dating profile photoshoots…
The people who are out while we are doing your photoshoot are just normal folks, busy, and going about their day. Seeing someone having their picture taken is not unusual in Seattle. Plus, most folks are polite and make it a general practice not to gawk at strangers.
Now, we’re going to encourage this (being ignored) by being good pedestrians and courteous to those around us so we are not a menace to society by blocking doorways, standing in the middle of the sidewalk, or otherwise being a nuisance.
I always tell my dating profile photo clients “I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine”, meaning: if we’re in the way and somebody wants to pass, whoever sees that happening will alert the other person so we can politely step aside.
The good news is, (circling back here), it will be early in the day so not tons of folks out yet, and most shops and restaurants won’t be open for the day so we don’t need to worry about blocking their entry, leaning on their windows, and looking cute on their patio seating.
Seattle is not known for having the friendliest vibes but I promise you I’m being honest when I say that, when people are not ignoring us, they are being nice. In fact...
I’m not making this up! It’s almost always a variation of “lookin good!”, shared good-naturedly from somebody passing us on the sidewalk (or occasionally shouted from a truck, lol!). Sometimes it will be a specific compliment like “omg that coat is amazing on you”. Or a good 'ol fashioned cat call from a passing car.
One time a client literally got asked out on a date DURING her dating profile photoshoot in Bothell! Go Simone go! Here is the play-by-play:
Later during Simone's photoshoot a woman complimented her on her dress and wanted to know where she got it!
Getting asked out on a date during a photoshoot is not a common occurrence (though I wouldn't be mad if it happened more!) but you get the idea-- people generally politely ignore us and when they do interact, it's with words of affirmation.
And every so often (I love it SO much) a playful photo bomber will hop into the frame of an online dating photo.
Ok last but not least here, and not to be underestimated:
Not in a rom-com kind of way but in the way that time just flies by and you forget about everything going on around you when you’re hanging out with a good friend, deep in conversation and enjoying yourself.
My client Tyler (and many others) have said as much in their reviews about working with me:
“During the photoshoot Andrea was very friendly and super funny. She knows how to make you feel comfortable like you’ve known her for years.”
I know we haven’t known each other for years yet (or at all), but trust me when I say – a professional photoshoot out in public (with me anyway), not only isn’t bad, it’s FUN.
Book your dating profile photoshoot now
And if you’re not quite ready to book a professional dating app photoshoot, but your dating profile photos are weak, check out 5 photos to remove from your dating profile asap.
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.
