Tinder and dating profile photography is a trend starting to emerge and I think it will become more popular in the future. They’re some of my favourite photoshoots to do. But why are they so popular? Who is getting them done?
Recently I put an advert up for dating profile photography as one of the services I offer. And, it’s becoming one of the main sources of work I get as a photographer in Dublin, Ireland. Some of my favourite photoshoots have been dating profile shoots. They’re wonderful one-to-one sessions where I feel I really connect with the client. I’m not sure what it is exactly that makes it easy to deal with such a client but I have a hypothesis!
When I tell people I’m becoming an expert in dating profile photography they sometimes look at me with a startled expression. It’s a relatively new concept. Our modern age is full of selfies and phones now have excellent cameras. Oftentimes I question my own relevance as a photographer! Why should anyone need a photographer when their mobile phone takes great images? While there’s some truth to be found exploring this question, the answer is really more complex and simple at the same time. One reason a photographer is relevant outside of the photographic skills of a photographer is of course objectivity. We’re bad at choosing our own photos!
We don't see photos of ourselves the way others do
That’s right. We also don’t choose the most flattering images of ourselves. A recent scientific study published in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications called, “Choosing face: The curse of self in profile image selection” shows we don’t choose the best image of ourselves. Basically, participants were asked to choose their own best photo and strangers rated them based on traits such as attractiveness, trustworthiness, dominance, competence and confidence. The photos people chose of themselves were different than the photos deemed most flattering by strangers.
I brought this topic up with a particularly friendly and engaging client. He said he uses photofeeler.com where your photos can be rated by strangers on the web. They’re rated by 3 metrics; competency, likability and influence. I think that is a superb way to get unbiased and objective feedback. I think it’s important as these dating apps are all based on immediate physical attributes. Before you even think to engage you are presented with swipe-right or swipe-left. Attractiveness is the first gate. So much hinges on the first impression based on appearance.
Who are the men getting their dating profile photos taken?
In my experience, it’s only men that have come to me for this service. And I can only think it’s because, with conversations with women and my own observations, I think they get more attention than men do. There isn’t a need to really get ahead of the competition as they’re usually a steady stream of men, trying to connect with women. One video that comes to mind is this experiment where this woman, posed as an attractive man and still struggled to get dates. Her expectation would that it would easy because the gentleman whose images she was using is very handsome. However, the reality is so much different. In the YouTube comment section, top comment by user Guembo writes:
“Dating for girls is like shopping. Dating for guys is like a job interview.”
If you are interested in enquiring about getting your dating profile photos, please get in touch.
info@kapturelab.com