Dating can be exhausting — especially finding a date — in Montgomery County, MD! I've heard from plenty of clients that dating near Washington, DC can feel more like you're making a LinkedIn profile than looking for an actual date, whether you're using Hinge, Bumble, Tinder, or something else. As a Rockville-based photographer and someone who's used their fair share of dating apps, I totally get where you're coming from. Luckily, I think I've cracked the code on how to make your profile as genuine as possible, avoid the LinkedIn comparisons, and find exactly what you're looking for.

I've narrowed it down to three main qualities that will make your profile pop:

1. Matching your photos to your intentions — what are you really looking for in a relationship?
2. Who are you — showing just enough about yourself to build intrigue.
3. Who you are looking for — demographics, interests, values, etc: you should know the kind of person you're looking for and build your profile to attract that person.

Finding the right vibes

The most important thing you can do with your dating profile photos is to nail down exactly what you're looking for. Are you looking for something serious? Something short-term? Something in-between? There's no shame to any of it, of course, but you'll be most successful if your dating profile photos help to establish your intent from the outset.

If you're looking for something shorter term, and you expect your partner to have the same intentions, you'll want to have less photos, say, two to three. The photos should be on the spicier side -- think cologne and/or perfume ads, but in a more human, real-life way! Mix in one of those with two other photos that you feel confident about, but that don't scream "I know I'm hot!" and you're golden.

The long-term relationship seekers out there may have a harder time building their roster of profile photos, but that's where photographers like me come in!

See that image? The loving couple? That's your end goal!

As a teacher by day and an ADHD'er by all hours, I'm all about figuring out the best strategies to reach your end goal, so let me introduce you to an evidence-based framework for how to be productive — and most importantly — to get the results you're looking for. The idea, called "get ready, do, done" is to structure your planning around the result you want and have an idea of what it will look like from the beginning, planning backwards from the end goal, to the process, to getting started.

As a client, you can apply this concept in your consultation with your photographer by sharing what you're seeking in a relationship, how you want to present yourself, and lastly, discuss planning to prepare for your photoshoot. This can mean choosing locations and outfits based on what you want to convey about yourself to a future partner. Want to show someone that you're cuddly and warm? Get a nice photo of yourself with a cup of coffee in a sweater. Bonus points if the coffee looks so good that someone wants to message you to find out where it's from — easy first date!

This is the true key to creating photographs that enhance your dating profile. But don't forget to mix it up: if all of your profile photos scream "professionally done," you may get the LinkedIn vibe allegations. This is where it's best to hire a photographer who can do both: someone who can make photos look like they were taken by a friend on their phone, but of high, high quality. My goal is always to build enough of a relationship with us that it ends up being a true statement that you "had a friend take these photos" rather than "I paid a professional to do it," since the former is definitely more casual and approachable.

Now, time for the "do" part: the session!

Now that you know what and who you're looking for in a partner, it's time to shoot! On your session, you'll want to achieve a nice balance of the following:

1. Accurate vibes — who you are as a person, what you want others to assume when they see you?
2. Interests — what is a good, fun first date for you? What would you want someone to ask about when they see your profile?

Thirdly (and this warrants its own paragraph), it's time to lean into the LinkedIn theory for a bit... you'll want a "call to action," or, in terms with more personality, a couple of "you'll want to DM me because of this photo" type of moments.

This can come a few ways: you can broadcast your interest and when someone sees their shared interest with you... boom, easy connection! Alternatively, you can be thoughtful with other aspects like your posing. An outstretched hand can beckon for a partner to interlock fingers, for example. A cozy sweater and seating position can encourage someone to snuggle up to you. It's really up to you and what you want your photos to say, so make sure to talk about that with your photographer.

Ready to put your best face forward? Let's make it happen.

You've got an idea of what you want in a partner, you've got a plan with your photographer and know what kind of looks and settings you'd like photos in... Now it's time to plan! Pack at least two outfits. You'll typically want to stick to warmer (orange, brown, tan) or muted colors and tones if possible if your goal is a long-term relationship, since this adds mystery to who you are and encourages more thoughtful conversation. A pro tip is to pack two outfits that look like they're from different seasons to give the illusion that the photos are taken in different times.

At the end of the day, your dating profile should feel like you… well, you, just with better lighting. A great set of photos can make a real difference, not just in getting more matches but in attracting the right people who vibe with your energy.

If you’re ready to upgrade your profile with photos that are authentic, high-quality, and designed to help you stand out, I’d love to help. As a portrait photographer based in Rockville, MD, I specialize in capturing people at their most natural—whether for dating profiles, headshots, or engagement shoots (because hey, we’re manifesting that, right?).