Online Dating Photographer San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose

Dating Profile Photographer San Francisco: Dating App Photographer San Jose, Dating App Profile Photos Bay Area

Featured in the NYT, Women’s Health Magazine, WSJ, AskMen, SFGATE, ABC7News, Bumble and more. Read Testimonials Here.

As an online dating photographer and online dating coach, I love helping people feel their best, build confidence, take better photos, and get more quality dates. My clients come from all over the world to take photos w/ me, including LA, NYC, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Philadelphia, Vancouver, London, Sydney, Austin, Washington DC, Miami, Chicago, Tokyo and beyond. Option for photos taken by phone only possible for those who want more privacy.

If you are looking for stiff portraits, obviously professional photos or images that are boring, lifeless and staged in the same backgrounds, go check out other services.

 

Dating App Photoshoot San Francisco, Online Dating Photographer San Jose

No other service offers the complete range of offerings that span photos, image consulting, location scouting, app choice, privacy (sessions w/ smartphone are available), wardrobe consultation and photo order.

  • People hire me to feel relaxed and confident as if they were hanging out with friends.
  • People hire me because I value privacy and won’t post their photos online.
  • People hire me because I know backgrounds and places that get attention, likes, and comments.
  • People hire me because I know style and fashion and will do everything I can to make you stand out.

No corny, staged, stiff portrait sessions here. Don’t make the mistake of hiring a portrait photographer who will take photos that look obvious that you hired a professional photographer. Those photos are often photoshopped, repetitive/similar, stiff, and lack fun, interesting backgrounds, which are important conversation starters in dating profiles.

Check out my dating services here for those seeking help with their dating woes. Services span where to live, places to meet singles, grooming, styling, lifestyle choices, hobbies, interests, conversation skills, help with dating apps, photos, and identifying blind spots. Specialty working with introverted men, engineers, successful women, gay men, and those seeking relationships.

Contact me today for your online dating photoshoot!

San Francisco Headshots, Bay Area Dating Coach, Online Dating Expert

Dating App Photography San Francisco – Professional Photos For Dating Apps San Jose

Most “dating profile” photographers merely overextend their modeling, acting, portrait, engagement, and business photos, and nearly all of them have zero experience with dating apps. Repurposing portraits is a poor strategy that screams staged, stiff, cliche photos that lack personality, authenticity, and uniqueness. These photos are for strangers, not for you or your biased friends, or family.

I scour bars, cafés, hiking trails, street art, museums, hotels, scenic views, and fun places to get the best photos like if a friend took them, but better and in a private, efficient manner that doesn’t draw a lot of attention from bystanders (option for my camera phone exist for those that are shy, nervous around big, bulky cameras).

My approach to online dating photos goes beyond photos – it entails a holistic strategy: Wardrobe Tips, Review of Existing Photos (see which ones to keep/replace to understand photo experience), and analyzing lifestyle, hobbies and interests to capture photos that balance personality and lifestyle but also factor the type of person you want to attract.

For those that need help beyond photos for a profile, I offer add-on coaching sessions, including app choice, swiping etiquette (how often to swipe right), assistance with optimizing bios and prompts, timing/cadence for replying to messages, screening profiles, how to conduct background checks on matches/dates, and Offline Coaching i.e. questions to ask on dates, date spots, good places to meet singles (all steps needed to build social and dating fluency in the technology age), hobbies to make yourself more visible, interesting and more.

I have worked with CEO’s, widows, shy folks, those with anxiety, tech geeks, engineers, divorcees, recently single, gay, straight men and women as well as those new to online dating and those who think they are unphotogenicThink of me as a digital Hitch.

My focus is on working with those that are relationship-minded folks. If you are looking to hook-up or looking for someone to do all the work for you, please look elsewhere. 

Online Dating Photoshoot: Profile Review, Dating Portrait Photography Photo Shoot, Wardrobe, Location Scouting

A quick application questionnaire will help me evaluate photos, social media presence, and profiles ( will tell you which photos to keep, if any, and how many photos you need based on your demographics and recommended app choice.

I will use the info to plan a photo shoot highlighting your hobbies, essence and style so that the photos are natural, confident, playful and candid. I shoot outdoors and indoor public places with natural light.

A photoshoot might involve a cocktail bar, beer garden, hiking trail, park, coffee shop, street art, farmer’s market, cooking at home or more. I will observe your comfort level and check in with backgrounds and locations to ensure you feel good throughout the process. 

My images are purposefully taken to come out looking organic and natural like if a friend took them. They are not overly sharp nor feature a bokeh effect similar to professional headshots. They are taken to capture warmth, presence, attire, approachability, candidness, and imperfections in a flattering light.

If you are looking merely to hook up, are looking to get sharp glossy staged photos, please seek another professional. My focus is on character, not ego, prestige nor self-absorbed personalities. These photos are meant to attract strangers. They are not for yourself nor your friends, who are often times biased.

Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before and stay hydrated. We will spend the first 10-15 minutes sitting down and getting to know each other. I will observe posture, and mannerisms, look for stray hair, uneven collars, and untied shoes, make sure your glasses are clean, give you time to use the restroom to freshen up etc.

Give yourself plenty of time to arrive on time – don’t add stress to your day by arriving late, finding parking etc. TREAT THIS LIKE A FIRST DATE. After spending a few hours with me during the photo shoot, I will help you out with your bio, answers to Hinge Prompts / Coffee Meets Bagel questions / Bumble Bios and more etc.

It’s not just helpful to get good photos, but getting a deep dive into your personal life will help me understand who you are, what you are about and where you can improve with respect to candid conversations, 1st impressions, eye contact, vocal tonality, appearance, and more.

Unlike friends and family, I will be honest, direct and unbiased. My goal is not to be your friend (although it does happen quite often in my line of work) but rather help you get more, quality dates.

Online Dating Photo Example

PRIVACY POLICY, DISCREET PHOTOSHOOT – HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR A DATING PROFILE

Your photos are never online; your privacy is of utmost importance to me. I work with C-suite executives, high profile individuals, those new to dating as well as extremely shy/introverted individuals. I have worked with many clients dealing with social anxiety, adult attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD), photophobia etc.

I am extremely discreet with my photo taking process and have many places scouted ahead of time and will check in with you to make sure you are comfortable in the environments selected. I even have the option to take photos at your residence or pre-selected places and with my Google Pixel 5 camera phone.

Read this guide on how to maintain your privacy when online dating. I also work with clients from a range of interests and orientations: straight women, gay men, bisexual women, furry fanatics and those who are currently exploring their sexuality.

 

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE ME – DATING APP PHOTOGRAPHER SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

I have done my fair share of online dating and have been in long-term, healthy, successful relationships over the years. I have studied dating apps for over a dozen years across the major cities I have lived in (NYC, SF and Los Angeles). I am inspired by the movie Hitch to improve the dating field one individual at a time and help those that have a hard time revealing their true selves to others.

I come from an analytical business background studying marketplaces, product features, marketing campaigns, customer segmentation, competitive intelligence, user behavior, and analyzing profiles.

As a frequent traveler, I have significant experience couchsurfing which requires strong people reading skills and quick, analytical deduction to trust folks when staying at the homes of complete strangers, often within a few days or hours of notice.

Most photographers who claim to specialize in dating photos struggle with online dating themselves, don’t have much experience with dating apps, or don’t have years of experience closely following all the dating apps on the market to answer all your questions beyond just photos.

Photos are important, but bios, inappropriate messaging, and wrong app choices can sabotage your dating profile.

A significant portion of my business comes from clients who made the mistake of hiring an inexperienced photographer or a portrait photographer for this highly specialized type of photographer.

ONLINE DATING PHOTOSHOOT FAQ’S

Click on the questions below to learn more details about my offerings and get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the details of a dating profile critique, photoshoot and offline coaching looks like.

I don't want a profile review, help with my bio nor photo analysis, do you offer photos only?

Yes, that is an option, but photos alone usually are not enough (particularly for men). While photos are important, a bad bio, poor prompts and answers, lackluster messages, bad response time, unrealistic expectations, poor strategy, swiping right too much and using the wrong dating app can drastically hurt your chances for success. Different apps require different types of photos for optimal performance. My goal is not to take photos you will like but capture the photos that will help you meet more, quality people which can be less but higher quality.

In many cases, photos alone may not yield much improvement as items like app choice, photo order, grooming, lifestyle choices (religion, drugs, politics, hobbies/interests), swiping etiquette (liking vs commenting), communications skills (first lines, response time), location, realistic expectations (height, appearance, location), date planning skills. If you struggle with any of these I highly recommend adding on coaching sessions to get the most out of photos at the time of the shoot because new profiles are boosted and you don’t want to let that exposure go to waste.

How many photos should a dating profile have?

Bare minimum I recommend is 4 but 6 is an ideal number (6 is also required for dating apps like Hinge which I recommend to many clients). Just because a site like Match.com offers you the ability to upload 20+ photos, doesn’t mean you should. You are only attractive as your worst photo and too many photos can make you look narcissistic and self-absorbed. Using more photos (up to 6) can increase talking points and conversation starters if done well. 

Do you offer styling, wardrobe consulting or personal shopping services?

I will help you with outfits for a shoot.  Check out the Pinterest boards for inspiration on clothing, patterns and colors. Wear outfits that you are confident in, would wear normally either everyday or for a special occasion. ​Men’s Fashion Tips | Women’s Fashion Tips. Remember, styles shoot be unique to your personality, fit you well, and show some effort. You are dressing up for your future dates, not yourself.

In select cases, I offer shopping / image consulting services. You can learn more about that here.

Do you provide hair and makeup?

I do not, unfortunately. I highly recommend coming as you are so that you are not running around frantically the day of the shoot nor altering your natural appearance. You need to be comfortable in your own skin to be successful with online dating but I will provide guidance on makeup, clothing style etc. You can drop by your local Sephora for some assistance with makeup but keep it light, don’t cake up makeup.

If you are looking for a recommendation for women’s hair, check out Helen at Yo-Yo Salon.

How do you conduct your photo shoots in public?

I am the most resourceful, knowledgeable and discreet photographers around. I carefully select areas to accommodate schedules as well as maintain privacy. Half the time you will not know I am taking photos and if you are super shy, I have methods to be unassuming (you can view my events and editorial work to get a glimpse of my style). I am not like other photographers who use flashes with big stands and umbrellas nor make people hold unnatural poses.

I have extensive experience creating environments for those that are introverted, cannot smile or have social anxiety. I worked with engineers, PHD’s, statisticians, finance and accounting professionals for over 10 years in my previous career. With that said, you should approach the photoshoot as a first date, come dressed to impress, come with questions and come with a go with the flow mentality. I will use the session as a sounding board to provide feedback on first impressions, social queues, body language, eye contact and conversation flow so that you are better prepared on your dates going forward.

Do you Photoshop images i.e. eye brightening, teeth whitening, skin softening, etc ?

No, absolutely not. I don’t recommend you use such photos nor hire such a photographer. I focus on shooting in natural, flattering light. Photos should appear like how you appear naturally but with some guidance on posing, confidence, style etc. If you misrepresent yourself for date #1 it can significantly lower your chances of going from date #1 to date #2.

Do you have examples of online dating photos?

No, I do not. Privacy is super important to me. These are not meant to be portrait or glamour shots – these are meant to show a warm, candid side to you. The photos are less about what you want and more about what others want and are interested in seeing. I also do not publicize photos for competitive reasons. Most other photographers who dabble with online dating photos are portrait photographers who offer stiff, awkward headshot and modeling photos that are ineffective on dating apps.

Where do you primarily shoot photos?
I mostly shoot in the Embarcadero, Financial District, Mission Bay, Dogpatch, Japan Town, North Beach, Hayes Valley, Haight-Ashbury, Presidio, Mission District, Pacific Heights, Jackson Square, Union Square, Mill Valley, Downtown Oakland neighborhoods. I am super discreet in the locations and environments I select. If you need me to avoid certain neighborhoods or blocks due to work, ex or neighbors, just let me know.
I occasionally will be able to come to the client at an additional cost. I also travel for shoots to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. Follow me on Instagram or shoot me a note on the contact page to see when I am coming to a city near you. In the meantime, you can read up on my online dating profile assessment here.
How long does it take to see noticeable results after a photoshoot?
At least 7-12 days to see noticeable results, sometimes 3-4 weeks (Thursdays + Sundays are usually the busiest days of the week). That guideline is only for those that stick with the recommended photos I suggest and do not use self-sabotaging photos or don’t use the recommended order. This timeline for improvement is assuming you have optimized all the other areas that are necessary to get the most out of photos including app choice, first lines, swiping etiquette (% of profiles you swipe right on), strategy (liking vs sending comments with likes), location, realistic expectations including swiping on people exclusively outside your league i.e. distance, age, location, education, lifestyle choices (drugs, religion, politics, hobbies, interests, career), height, appearance, and more.
Do you provide offline or in the field coaching?
I offer a glimpse of this during the photo session as situations arise but I do offer more comprehensive one on one sessions:
-What bars and restaurants to check out based on noise levels, what’s trending etc. What drinks to order, where to sit at a bar, what your body posture communicates to others, how to get guys to notice you more and approach you.
-Personal shopping sessions: where to shop, clothes to wear (size, cut, style, accessorizing and color matching based on skin tones)
-How to approach someone organically at a cafe or bar, and how to start a conversation organically and techniques to become more confident in everyday situations. Contact me for additional information.
Do you ever travel to clients in Los Angeles, NYC, Seattle, Chicago, London etc?

Yes, on occasion. I travel to cities here and there. Itineraries provided to existing clients, remaining travel schedules posted on the contact page of my site if any slots remain.

I do however virtual online dating profile assessments. For more information, contact me for a review of your app choice, photos, bio, and more.

Do you offer matchmaking services?

Not upfront. I have introduced clients I have worked with to each other but that is after I have had a chance to work with them through a session in which I spend several hours getting to know them inside out and seeing if might match with someone I have worked with already. I also, will ask individuals if it is ok if I have their permission to share their information to someone I think could be a good match. If interested, I will make a note in my records and get back to you if/when I do begin this service.

What should I wear for my online dating photos?

Photos should reflect your style and who you want to attract. Clothing and wardrobe should match environments and not seem forced. Similarly they should show a range of looks (casual, athletic, stylish, professional, special event etc.). Read this guide for additional details: https://eddie-hernandez.com/what-to-wear-in-your-dating-photos/

What are the 10 types of photos one should not use and avoid in their online dating pictures?

Professional Dating Photos, San Francisco Bay Area

Read this about why you should avoid professional portraits for dating profiles

Online dating photographer San Jose, Online dating photographer bay area, Online dating photographer san francisco,

 

About Eddie Hernandez

Eddie is a dating coach for men & women in San Francisco (clients in NYC, LA, Chicago, & beyond ), as seen in the NYT & Bumble). He helps w/ profiles, photos, wardrobe, messaging, date ideas, red flags, lifestyle choices, hobbies, grooming/hygiene, communication, social skills & offline efforts.