Kiren Photography

Dating Photography

With more than two thirds of single people in Sydney now using dating apps to find their future partners the need to stand out in the crowd has become more important than ever before. Having flattering and well crafted dating profile photos will not only increase your results (dramatically), it can also build self confidence and provide an opportunity for self renewal.

Enhance your online dating profile 

Social media is all about connecting with others. In order to create a more personal experience for the person viewing your photos it’s important to be authentic and use an up to date portrait.

Apps such as Tinder, Bumble, Grinder, Hinge or the League are primarily visual mediums. In order to create a good first impression your dating profile photo needs to instantly captivate your audience.

Having good profile photos will enhance the way other perceive you and add value to your personal brand.

Advice for first timers

The idea of undertaking a professional photo shoot for the first time can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming - this is very normal. For this reason, I provide step by step on-camera direction. I’ve been working with people who are new to being in front of the camera for over 25 years. I implement some of the very same techniques I use when I work with professional actors and models, including how to achieve a natural pose to how to project energy in your photos. 

Why choose Kiren?

Having worked as a portrait and fashion photographer in Sydney and New York for the last 25 years, one of the skills that I think is imperative in order for a photographer to survive is the ability to create flattering images of your subjects. In order to do this you really have to master a combination of skills - including the ability to put your subject at ease, provide good direction, camera work and lighting. I work every week with people who have had little to no experience in front of the camera. Building their confidence and watching them transform throughout the shoot is one of the things I still enjoy most about portrait photography. 

When it comes to shooting dating profiles, I’ve had the unique experience of being one of the early pioneers of online dating photography since those early days in New York. I’ve seen online dating evolve from discreet ads in Craigs List to something that is now a part of our everyday lives.

Kiren’s Portrait List

Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Hugo Weaving, Baz Luhrmann, Billy Connolly, Julie Delpy, Olivia Newton John, Isla Fisher, Ita Buttrose, Kieran Perkins, Ellyse Perry, Dick Smith, George Negus, Erine Dingo, Sandra Sully, John Laws, Julie Bishop, Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, Former Prime Minister John Howard

Booking a shoot for your professional dating photos is easy. Simply email me using the contact page on this website. I’ll get back to you with a range of dates and options. 

Investment

Dating Profile Portraits

Your Dating profile portrait session provides you with a set of individually graded high res image files which you can upload to any social media platform. The focus of the session is to capture a range of flattering looks and expressions across multiple poses. It involves a variety of set-ups at selected locations with up to 3 outfit changes. The price for both the session and 60 digital images is $689 + gst.

Dating Portfolio

The Portfolio is a more customised shoot that provides for multiple locations allowing you to include for example a mix of both urban and natural settings. Having a longer session allows time for lifestyle set-ups in cafes and can include up to 6 outfit changes. It’s also ideal for those who are a little camera shy and would like more warm up time. The shoot provides you with a complimentary coffee at one of Paddington’s local cafes - which we can use for one of your looks. You receive the session along with a set of 120 individually graded digital images for $1,189 + gst.

Turn around time

All files from your online dating shoot are usually ready within 3 business days. Simply download these to your computer and you’re all set to go!

Logistics

While I do offer customised shoots, the two options above are designed to provide you with the very best in terms of quality and value for money. The idea is to provide you with a set of images that appear like they may have been taken under casual circumstances, but just happen to be very flattering. They need to show range and diversity in terms of mood and expression and show you across a variety of settings and backgrounds. By doing this the aim is to create the feeling that the photos could have been taken across a number of locations and on different days. As you can appreciate there is a lot of logistical work involved in order to make this happen in the most seamless and efficient way. For this reason I use a number of specific locations in Sydney that provide all this along with access to refreshments, restrooms and a place to get changed.

What to wear

Having two decades of experience as both a fashion photographer and a model, I’ve spent a lot of time casting people as well as being cast myself for various TV ads and magazines. It’s given me a professional insight into what goes on in the minds of people when they are viewing profile pictures and assessing potential candidates.

When deciding on what to wear, my advice is to choose clothing that is flattering to your physique and colours that compliment your complexion. If you wish to look slimmer, wear darker colours, avoid white as well as horizontal stripes. If you wish to look more genuine and convey trust, wear blue.

If you're planning 3 outfit choices, aim to show diversity by styling them from casual to semi formal. Add more dimension to your outfit choices by layering your clothing. Include everyday props such as hats, scarves and bags. Remember, on-line dating is not meant to be like a job interview, so avoid anything too formal. Feeling more comfortable in your clothing choices will help you to feel more confident and relaxed in front of the camera. 

Hair and make up

For women, you’ll want your skin to look fresh and vibrant. A common mistake is for women to over compensate and wear too much make up. While wearing make up may make you feel more confident, wearing too much will make you look more formal. Try to avoid powder and foundation as it will make you look older and flatten out your features. Issues like skin blemishes can be retouched afterwards. Long hair is best left down or tied back in a low tail. Having your hair up tends to look too formal. 

Like clothing, hair and make-up for your dating photos is going to come down to your personal style. As a guide, simply apply the same amount that you’d wear if you were meeting a friend for lunch at a nice cafe.

For men, simply apply lip balm, some hair product and make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the day of your shoot. If you don’t already have a good personal grooming routine, try drinking up to 2 litres of water a day in the lead up to your shoot. Consider exfoliating and moisturising your skin. This will help deliver a fresh healthy glow to your appearance. 

If you intend to get a hair cut, book an appointment at least 5 days before your shoot. This will allow your hair time to settle back into it’s natural shape.

10 Tips on how to look good in online dating photos

If you’re reading this and am not yet ready to hire a professional dating photographer and just want to improve on your existing iphone photos I’ve compiled a list of helpful tips and advice for you anyway.

1. To smile or not to smile? This is going to come down to what you feel truely represents who you are. If you’re not a smiler, then don’t. People can tell straight away if a smile looks forced. In terms of gender, research has shown that women look more appealing when they smile and the reverse for men. I would only use this as a guide. That is, if you consider yourself to be the typical women or typical man. If in doubt, just be yourself. 

2. Avoid the bathroom selfie and be aware of what appears in the background of your photo. 

3. For men, shirt on or off in a dating photo? This is fine provided it’s done with taste and subtlety. For example where you are engaged in a sporting activity such as swimming. In the case where it’s a bathroom selfie or a posed shot at the gym - it’s best avoided as it can risk coming across as too showy or aggressive. 

4. Aim to show some diversity and avoid repetition. Try to show a range of shots from medium close ups to full length where possible. Generally to more photos the better, providing they’re flattering and do you justice. 

5. Avoid having too many group photos. Don’t make the viewer have to work through all your photos to see which one you are.

6. Avoid shots with your ex in them or worst still where they have been cropped out of the photo. Tell tail signs being the abrupt crop at the shoulder or the extreme grainy close up where they have been cropped out altogether.

7. Avoid using air brush filters to clean up your skin. The one’s I’m referring to are the one’s that can wash out all your features and make you look like an android!

8. Too many photos where you are holding a drink in your hand. Also consider what is in the background of your pictures. Things like food you are eating all contribute to the story about you and are the only thing the viewer has to go off. 

9. While sunglasses can look cool, I would suggest including them in 1 or 2 photos max. The eyes really are the window to the soul. Hiding them behind sunglasses can be a real missed opportunity. 

10. Finally, use up to date pictures! While I have clients that come back throughout the year to update their summer and winter wardrobes, if you’re not having your dating photos professional shot you want to at least make sure they are not more than 5 years old. While most of us wish we could rewind the clock, it’s not going to go well if you’re organising a first date and you don’t look like your pictures. Be proud of your life experience and embrace the opportunity for change. 

What people are saying

“Hey Kiren,

I've gone through the pictures and am really happy with them. I uploaded them to a dating profile a couple of hours ago and have had to turn off notifications I am getting so many. My family also all loved them and said you really captured my personality in them.

Thanks again!”

- DM, Sydney AU

“Hey Kiren – just letting you know I have uploaded some of the pictures to my online profile and they look AMAZING! 102 matches in 4 hours – OMG! Thanks mate – you made me look so good, I think the ladies will be super disappointed when they meet me (LOL).”

Dan, Sydney Australia

Hi Kiren, Awesome work. Many thanks, you did such a great job. You ought to charge twice as much! I hope you do wedding photos as well, because I'm bound to wife someone up really quick with these photos! Hahah thanks again mate, and stay in touch!

J.N. Sydney, Australia

“I want to say I’m very impressed with your work! You made me feel completely confident at every stage of the photo shoot. I will continue to recommend you to my family, friends and colleagues.

H.M. Sydney