Dating Profile Photography in Chicago

 📸

Get authentic, high-converting photos for your online dating profiles in Chicago. It’s the best way to improve your match rate and meet more amazing people on Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and Match.com.

Learn More
As seen on:
StarStarStarStarStar
Rated 4.9 out of 5 (1,000+ clients)
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
iPhone mockup
📍 
Chicago, Illinois

Dating Profile Photography in Chicago

Get authentic, high-converting photos for your online dating profiles in Chicago. It’s the best way to improve your match rate and meet more amazing people on Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and Match.com.

  See how it works
Rated 4.9/5 (from +1000 clients)
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
tinder photographer
Online Dating Photography in Chicago, IL.
"My matches on all dating sites have increased dramatically over the last 72 hours."

- Nick, Chicago

Dating photography in
Chicago, IL

Photography for Dating Apps in Chicago.

Chicago can be a tough city to date in. There's a lot of amazing people, so competition is fierce. We have a tried & tested method for improving your success to help you stand out on dating apps.

  Not getting the matches you deserve?
  Don't have great photos of yourself?
  Not into taking Instagram selfies?
  Recently single or divorced?
We build the best dating profiles in
Chicago

Get the best Tinder profile in Chicago.

Imagine having a new and improved dating profile that highlights all your best attributes. Not only can this improve your matches, but the boost to your self-esteem can help you actually enjoy dating again.

  Get new photos that look incredible
  Show your charm, charisma & confidence
 Stand out from all the bathroom selfies
 Instantly improve your match rate
We're laser-focused on results.

What kind of results can you expect to see?

📈  Increased Match Ratio
Most clients see a noticeable increase in the very first week, and your new match rate should stabilize by week 2-3.
😍  Higher Quality Matches
Match with people you're actually excited to talk to. Level the playing field and meet people in your league (or above).
👨‍🔬  Algorithm Improvements
When your match rate goes up, the algorithm will automatically start showing your profile to more people.
💬  Better Conversations
Tired of starting conversations only to get 1-word answers? A fine-tuned profile turns your charisma score to +10.
🥂  More Dates
Turn matches into dates more easily, and start meeting up with fun, interesting people on the regular.
👻  Less Ghosting
Conversation going great, then all of a sudden... *poof*? You won't be the profile they want to ghost anymore.
Spencer Photos For Tinder Client Holding Coffee Cup
click to
‍see more
SVG Arrow
Text Message Showing Results Photos For Tinder
We've analyzed the top profiles in
Chi-town

We take a data-driven approach to photography.

We follow up with past clients in Chicago to see what worked (and what didn't), then use that data to craft a better profile for our clients. to capture stunning, authentic photos that are uniquely you.

How do you measure results?

We've worked with well +1,000 clients since 2018. In this time, we've learned a LOT about what works (and what doesn't). We continuously try to improve our understanding of effective dating photography, including:

  • Conducting local surveys from both men and women
  • Asking people to swipe & walk us through their process
  • Using sites like Photofeeler to test photos
  • Hiring panels of people to vote on photos

Dating apps don't have built-in analytics, so we've built a custom testing framework that shows our clients how to measure the performance of their photos.

After 6 weeks we follow up to learn what worked (and what didn't). This helps us better understand current trends, seasonality, location factors and more. It also helps us fine-tune our approach, allowing future clients to benefit from the learnings.

What photos work best for dating?

After all our research we've developed a recipe that produces high-performance dating profiles. It's not rocket science, but here's the secret sauce:

  1. Your photos must be believable & authentic. No heavy filters or touch-ups. No external lights, flashes, studios or soft boxes. Don't pose too much. Don't act unnatural.
  2. You have to laugh & smile. In almost every test we've ever performed, the smiling photos typically perform 2x better. That's why have a LOT of fun on our shoots to make sure you're laughing and smiling naturally.
  3. You have to show confidence & charisma. Nothing is more attractive than these two elements combined. We'll coach you through the proper body language and facial expressions, to help you communicate this naturally.

Basically, people just want to see that you're a good, trustworthy person. They want to see that you have a life (hobbies, career, etc.) and they want to know they're going to be safe with you.

We'll find all of your best angles and photograph you looking your very best. Your photos will showcase all of your best assets, while highlighting your charm, personality and confidence.

What kind of photos do you take?

Our style is often referred to as "candid lifestyle". It's natural, unposed, unstaged, authentic and in the moment.

It's not supposed to look like you hired someone to take photos of you all day. Instead it will look like you were out enjoying your day, and one of your friends just happened to snap a photo with their fancy camera.

We're going to be your best friend on shoot day.

We'll get you to laugh, open up and not take yourself so seriously. These natural laughs will help the photos look authentic and genuine.

We also let you change outfits during the shoot, giving you multiple different looks from one session. Each time you change your outfit, we'll bring you to a new backdrop nearby that suits what you're wearing.

When the shoot is done you'll have a private gallery of authentic, high-converting photos to use on your dating apps.

There's so many photographers...

Why work with us?

Here's a few key reasons you should work with us to optimize your dating profiles.

🏆

+1k Profiles Optimized

We've helped over 1000 clients optimize their profiles, collecting data & insights along the way.

👨‍🔬

Proven Formula

We'll show you exactly how to structure your profile for the best results. We're always optimizing.

📝

Bio Copywriting

Our copywriter will write a witty, original bio to make your dating profile even better.

🎓

Guides & Resources

Get access to our member portal where we share detailed guides & tips to increase conversions.

📸

Expression Coaching

We'll provide coaching on posing & facial expressions to ensure your photos look amazing.

⚡️

Fast Turnaround

Want more matches fast? Most of our shoots are wrapped up and delivered in less than a week.

🥇

Rated 4.9 / 5

We ask for feedback every step of the way to make sure you're having an incredible experience.

🔐

Secure & Confidential

Bookings are 100% confidential. We won't share your photos unless you give us explicit permission.

Photos optimized for all major dating apps

We're proud to offer a

Super simple process.

Dating shouldn't be this difficult. When you sign up we'll take care of everything, including a detailed onboarding, preparation guides, shoot reminders and more.

🗓️

1. Book Online

Find a time/date in our calendar that works for your schedule. Can book 6 weeks in advance.

📸

2. Get Photographed

We're great with beginners, so we'll coach you on areas like posing & facial expressions.

🚀

3. Implement

We guide you how to structure your photos & custom bio for the best results possible.

👨‍🔬

4. Test & Optimize

We teach you how to measure & optimize your profiles so you can find your upper limit.

"Made taking photos feel easy and not awkward."

- Louis, Royal Oak

The best backdrops in
Chicago

Super convenient location in Chicago, IL.

All of our photoshoots take place near Palmer Square in Chicago, which is perfect for semi-private photoshoots.

Where do the shoots take place?

We'll meet at Dayglow Coffee; a trendy coffee shop near Palmer Square.

Dayglow is steps away from trendy backdrops, city life, parks, cafes and overall situated in a solid area for photos. This is great for outdoor shoots that can still be somewhat private, since we're away from the hustle and bustle of a busier parts of the city.

Who is the photographer?

Hi, I'm Vanessa 👋

I'm a photographer based on the Northside of Chicago who primarily specializes in lifestyle portrait photography.

I've worked as a professional photographer for the past 5+ years, but my interest in photography bloomed in early childhood.

As a kid, I was initially fascinated with polaroid and film cameras, spending countless hours scouring online forums to find camera manuals and answers to my boundless questions.

I still shoot a high volume of film but enjoy shooting digital photography just as much! You can usually find me googling the latest camera tech.

My role as a portrait photographer offers me a special opportunity in which I can exercise my love for photography and my passion for connecting with others. I take pride in helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera and, of course, delivering stellar final photos!

"As I mentioned, I've spent hundreds of dollars on Tinder Gold and always had mixed results. I didn't actually want to spend any more money on dating but I took the leap based on a friends' recommendation and hired you guys.

Here's a quick update: First day with the new profile: 20+ matches (and still going). Girls are messaging ME first and being flirty with their responses. Conversations no longer feel like I'm pulling teeth.

This changes the whole dynamic of online dating. I will sing your praises to everyone that will listen to me lol. Y'all have restored my faith in humanity. 🙏 "

Cody M, 28

"She was easy to work with. (...) She also had great inputs in making my photoshoot great!"
Hemant
Schaumburg, Illinois
"Vanessa was able to capture the best angles of me and allowed me to showcase my best features. My matches on all dating sites have increased dramatically over the last 72 hours."
Nick
Bartlett, IL
"The overall experience could not have gone better! I was very hesitant going in what it would be like, but I could not be more satisfied with how the pictures came out. The photographer was very kind and the whole process from easing my anxiety to finalizing the date to going through was difficult for me but a great decision that I made."
Brandon
Chicago, IL
"Vanessa was awesome! Made me feel super comfortable with the whole process. 5/5"
Nick
Chicago, IL
"She was great to work with and made it a fun experience. She did ask for many smiling pictures which worried me due to not having a great smile, but they all turned out great!"
Mohak
Springfield, IL
"Noticed an immediate uptick in match quantity and quality."
Dylan
St. Charles, IL
"Thank you Vanessa!"
Hatem
Orlando, FL
"Very kind and professional, She really knows what she's doing. Thank you for your time!"
Cristian
Chicago, IL
"Great to work with. Made taking photos feel easy and not awkward."
Louis
Royal Oak, Michigan
"My photographer was great to work with! A+++ across the board."
Gilberto
Elmhurst, Il
Made getting pictures taken as non-stressful as it probably can be with me as the subject.
Blaine
Oak Park, IL
Vanessa is fantastic at her job! She really knows how to make a client comfortable and feel relaxed and natural for the shoot.
Victor
SCHAUMBURG, IL

Pricing

Choose the package that works best for your goals.

Pricing

📸 Starter

$450
Enough to get you started
5 Edited Images

Images will be edited to "pop". This includes color, sharpness, blemishes and aspect ratio.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
30 Minute Session

We will guide you through the whole thing, including posing & facial expression coaching.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
1 Outfit

You can bring 1 outfit to the shoot.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Implementation Guide

A step-by-step guide with examples to teach you how to implement & test your photos for the best results possible.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Get started →

🚀 All-Star

$850
Our all-inclusive package.
30 Edited Images

Images will be edited to "pop". This includes color, sharpness, blemishes and aspect ratio.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
90 Minute Session

We will guide you through the whole thing, including posing & facial expression coaching.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
4-5 Outfits

You can bring 4 or 5 outfits. Make sure to wear your first outfit to the shoot, then we'll do the outfit changes throughout the session to switch up your look. This gives your profile some variety and makes it look like the photos were taken on different days.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Implementation Guide

A step-by-step guide with examples to teach you how to implement & test your photos for the best results possible.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Custom Dating Bio  🔥

📝 Our copywriter will learn about you & write an original, custom bio for your online dating profiles.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
All Raw Images 🔥

Download ALL original, unedited photos from the shoot (200-500 photos). Downloads available in either RAW or JPEG formats.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Dating Coach Consult

Get a FREE 15-minute consultation with Kimberly Hill; recently awarded Top 10 Dating Coach in North America and host of The Self-Confidence Project.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Get started →

📈

Increase matches

Most clients see a 20-300% increase in the first week.

😍

Look confident

Photos that show your charm, charisma & confidence

❤️‍🔥

Meet more people

Add a few more date nights to your weekly routine.

🔐

Secure & confidential

We won't share your photos unless you say we can.

Frequently Asked Questions

We get that this is kind of a new concept, but we're here to answer any questions you have along the way. Check out our detailed FAQ  or get in touch with our team.
Should I hire an online dating photographer?
Photos are the single most important part of your dating profile. So hiring a dating photographer is one of the best things you can do to improve your experience with online dating in Chicago. If you’re not seeing the results you think you should be seeing, we can help.
What are the best photos for dating in Chicago?
Our data shows that candid, lifestyle photos with minimal editing work best for online dating in Chicago. Good quality photos with natural outdoor lighting work best. Your photos should highlight your confidence, charisma and personality.
Do you offer shoots in Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, etc.?
We have clients all over Illinois, but all of our photoshoots take place in a central part of Chicago - specifically near Palmer Square. We know this area like the back of our hand so we can ensure you'll get awesome shots in a short amount of time.

We stick to this location because we've learned it inside and out. We know exactly what the light will be light at different times throughout the day, and we also know where to go if it starts raining. This way we can make sure our clients get great photos every single time.

The arts district has LOTS of variety in such a small radius, including unique architecture, cute coffee shops, red brick character walls, graffiti and so much more. This way we can pack a number of unique looks into a single session; every clients' photos are guaranteed to be unique.

During our session we might pop by Cafe Jumping Bean to grab some pics of you casually sipping a latte out front on the bench. After that we might head over to Pilsen Art House to add a splash of uniqueness to your photos, blurring out the colorful artwork behind you to capture a truly memorable profile pic. The possibilities are endless in the Arts District; we can't wait to show you!

Why hire an online dating photographer?

Because every online dating app prioritizes photos. You could look like Brad Pitt in real life, but if your photos suck and people can't see that - then you're not going to be matching with many people.

Most people don't have great photos. So we scrap together whatever old photos we can find, add in a few bathroom selfies and hope for the best. We know these awkward photos don't do us justice, but it's all we have.

An online dating photographer will help showcase all your best features. They'll highlight your charisma, charm and confidence. The'll find all your best angles, help you look natural and deliver stunning photos that will stop people in their tracks.

Is this service right for me?

Do you feel like you're getting the matches you deserve? Do you find yourself endlessly swiping and only getting a few matches?

We work with men and women of all ages, orientations and backgrounds. And while we think everyone could benefit from having great photos of themselves, there's a few areas where photos can really make a difference:

  • Recently single or divorced: We get it. The last 5 years of your life were spent with your ex, so every photo has them in it. You're getting back into shape, trying new things, but your photos are old and tired. We can help you.
  • Brand new to online dating: This feels like a whole new world. Where do you even begin? Don’t sweat it - it’s not as complicated or scary as you think. We can show you the ropes and make sure your profile is set up for success.
  • You're super career focused: You have your shit together and are building a life that you're proud of. You're not spending your days snapping instagram photos with friends. You don't have time, desire or patience to take the perfect selfie.
Do you offer any other dating services?

Our core offering is dating photography, but we have a few more related services that might help.

Bio Copywriting - Our copywriter Vanessa is a pro at writing witty, high-converting bios for dating profiles. This is included in our Pro and All-Star packages, or can be purchased separately here.

Better Matches Academy (Coming soon) - We're building an online learning resource that shows you how to optimize your dating profile for the best results possible.

How does the bio copywriting work?

Fill out a short survey and our copywriter will create a 100% custom, original bio for your dating profiles. Choose the tone, tell us what kind of person you're trying to attract and we'll take care of the rest.

Do you only work with men?

Nope! 20% of our clients are women who want to improve the overall quality of their matches. We believe everyone deserves to find connection and love.

Photoshoots

FAQ's about the photoshoot process.
What if I've never had a photoshoot before?

Don't sweat it! We're great with beginners.

For 90% of our clients this is their first photoshoot. e've taken extra steps to ensure you are well prepared and comfortable for your shoot, including:

  • We send you onboarding emails that cover what to expect, poses, etc.
  • We give recommendations on what to bring & wear
  • We coach you through the shoot, including poses & facial expressions
  • We put you in realistic poses (ie. not super artsy or awkward). Can you stand, sit or hold a cup of coffee? If so you'll be a natural!
  • We give you real-time feedback on how to look more natural and authentic

We're experts at working with beginners. In fact, most clients end up telling us how much fun they had on their shoot. We also routinely get clients who re-book with us simply because they enjoyed the first experience so much.

Bottom line? You're in good hands.

What if I'm not photogenic?

This is one of the most common questions we get asked. Trust us, everyone has a good side. You just haven't worked with a photographer who is dedicated to finding yours.

Our superpower is being able to break people out of their shells and make them smile, laugh and look confident on camera.

You don't need to be a professional model. We'll coach you through poses and facial expressions to help you natural and confident. We can make normal, everyday people look fantastic in photos.

What should I bring / wear to my shoot?

We ask clients to bring a few changes of clothes in a duffel bag so we can switch up their look throughout the shoot.

We will photograph you in the outfit that you'll arrive in, then you'll do two outfit changes during your session. We recommend bringing a few different looks:

  1. Date Night
    If you were taking a date out for the first time, you probably already know what you're going to wear. Maybe a button-up shirt, your favourite pair of chinos? Maybe a jacket? This is going to look different for everyone, but this is the one outfit you should plan to do the majority of shooting in.
  2. Casual Saturday
    Some of the photos that seem to work best for our clients on dating apps are the casual pics. These are the photos were our clients typically feel like they're themselves; confident in their own skin. Bring a T-shirt or Henley, pair of jeans/khakis and your favourite sneakers. Basically whatever you would wear to meet up with your friends for beers on a Saturday.
  3. Wild Card
    You can have fun with this last outfit. For some people, they have a favourite hobby (like guitar, yoga, gym, juggling, etc.). For others, they might have a great career that they want to include in their shoot (ie. if you're a developer maybe some shots of you working on your laptop in a coffee shop, or if you're a real estate agent maybe dressing up in a suit and tie).

    If we can work it into your shoot without it looking too forced/cheesy, we'll do it. For example, if you're in really good shape you might think a photo of you posing in a tank-top would do well. Unfortunately, this is going to look "try hard" and could probably backfire (especially in The Six).

    Instead, we'd get a photo of you in a tighter t-shirt, with your gym bag over your shoulder, walking through an alleyway confidently smiling. This shows that you're really into fitness without being overly obvious about it.
Where will I change my outfits?

Outfit changes are quick and easy. We just hop into a local coffee shop (such as the one we're meeting you at) and use the restroom. Or if you prefer, you can do the outfit changes. inyour car.