A Dating Photo Is a Window to the Soul

Dating app portraits. I've only been asked by 6 people in the last 3 years. Each person over the age of 60! So what goes through my mind when working with this population?

I feel like I need to personally connect with them so I can help create a portrait that exemplifies who they are and how they want to be seen. And then I take their vision and express it for them in the portrait.

This gentleman, for example, wanted to look youthful but mature. If I remember correctly he said he wanted the woman on the other side to know he could still ride roller coasters. So the one leg step forward made sense to us.

He wanted her to know he's intelligent as well. Therefore the glasses in the frame. He wanted them on his head. But I wanted to show him in movement. I wanted to tell a story. The glasses are there, but he took them off to "look at her."

He wanted the woman to know he's a caring and attentive man. So you see that I've positioned his head at an angle. The head tilt demonstrates all of his intentions.

And that big smile? What he's most proud of are his granddaughters. So I asked him to imagine his granddaughters telling him how proud they were of his accomplishments and how much they love him. That's a proud grandfather face.

That's the strength of an introvert. I'm listening. Listening to not only their words but their intentions. I'm listening to their hearts. And I'm bringing their visions to life.

I have such a fun job.