Looking for the absolute best San Francisco online dating photographers? You’re not alone.

A student recently asked me how important are my photos to the women of Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge?

That’s kind of like asking how important a bat is when trying to hit a baseball or how vital music is to a party.

Without photos — just like without the bat or without music — the thing you want to engage in simply can’t be done.

Without photos, you don’t even exist in the Tindersphere.

Actually, that’s not true.

Without good photos, you don’t even exist.

That’s because online dating is intrinsically superficial. It’s not like meeting someone at a party or even speed dating where you’re required to make conversation and get to know who they are.

Online dating is like speed dating but at warped speed. 

A recent study published in Frontiers of Psychology that examined data from 50,000 Hinge users found the average female user spends just 5 seconds looking at a profile before swiping.

Spoiler, they’re not spending those 5 seconds reading how you responded to the My most irrational fear prompt — even if your answer is hilarious.

Despite the common knowledge that photos are everything on dating apps, many men still resort to posting blurry photos, selfies, and yes, photos posing with their latest catch — I see you Dave.

There are the Daves of this world that will never quite understand the kinds of photos that make women swipe right.

Then there are guys like you.

The guys that know their profile is underperforming and need professional help — especially in a metro like the San Francisco Bay Area.

You know that the single best way to score more matches is to upload professional dating photos.

The thing is, you’re not a professional and no one you know is willing to walk around San Francisco with you for a few hours on a Saturday.

Luckily I know two of the best San Francisco online dating photographers.

Let’s meet them, learn what hiring a San Francisco dating app photographer looks like, and tips and tricks to help you improve your photo roster.

Best San Francisco Online Dating Photographers

For heterosexual women, San Francisco is the best place to find a partner.

In 2017 SF was awarded the top city for men worthy of marrying.

Though sadly this isn’t the case for men.

There are more than 20,000 more single men than women in the Bay Area according to Bloomberg.

It’s this insanely unbalanced gender ratio that makes the dating in San Francisco so competitive for single men.

That’s why it’s paramount that you team up with one of emlovz’s San Francisco online dating photographers to snap some new pics for your profile.

Let’s meet the crew.

Krista Kahl

Krista’s an equestrian, gymnast, and painter.

But most importantly — she’s one of the best San Francisco online dating photographers & the person that’s going to get you your next date. 

Krista has experience shooting the likes of Hollywood’s most glamorous, SF’s tech-heads around town, and yes even the finest racehorses the Bay Area has to offer.

As a professional photographer, Krista has a masterful way of capturing her subjects in ways that best display who they are.

Sounds nice and all, but how exactly does it all work.

How It Works

This is what a session with Krista looks like in her own words.

When it comes to snapping the right photo for your profile, Krista is the perfect match.

She’s empathetic, compassionate, and most importantly, doesn’t take basic photos that every other guy is using in their profile.

Even if you’re a little embarrassed about taking photos, Krista’s positive energy and years of experience will put you at ease. She’ll make this a fun and painless process that reaps results in the form of matches, dates, and ultimately a partner.

Package Details:

Packages:

Platinum: $1800 emlovz member rate/$1300

• 30 min phone/zoom planning consultation for styling & logistics, etc
• 2 hour session with as many outfits that will fit in time frame
• 2 locations of your choice (or ones I scouted) for multiple backgrounds • 12 retouched images, up to 12 web-sized images

Gold: $1000

• 30 min phone/zoom planning consultation for styling & logistics, etc • 90 min session with as many outfits that will fit in time frame
• 1 location with variable backgrounds
• 7 retouched images, up to 7 web-sized images

Post Photo Session:

• Best images from the session can be viewed as thumbnails in your own private online gallery on my website for you to choose your favorites. Final retouched images delivered in 7-10 days.

• Once they’re professionally retouched, they are available for download in your private gallery for up to 30 days as high-res JPG’s, ready for online use, print or publication.

Other Rates:

• $350 – Each additional hour
• $50 – Post-editing for every 1/2 hour
• Travel fees apply if over 15 miles from 94062

After The Session:

All images are uploaded, edited, and the best from the session are sent to you in lo-res via Dropbox for you to choose your favorites. Once favorite images are chosen, the photos are then edited/retouched, made hi-res images, and sent back to you. You’ll have access to all lo-res images and the chosen hi-res images to use however you wish. Images are accessible in Dropbox and Google drive for 30 days.

Jessica Ruscello

Jess is a transplant that’s lived in the Bay Area for more than 8 years now.

While Jess is an online dating photographer, it’s fair to say this wasn’t her calling.

It was only after helping a few camera-shy single friends get over their fear of the camera that she discovered that there was a problem that needed solving.

Single people need awesome pictures for dating apps but too often don’t have them and are too afraid to ask a friend to help them out — also people are mostly crap at taking pictures of themselves.

That’s where she comes in.

Jess is skilled at making you feel at home in front of the camera and showcasing your personality in through her photography.

But how exactly does it all work?

How It Works

This is what Jess told me.

Sure Jess is a technically skilled photographer but what really sets her apart is her ability to make you feel at ease while doing something that you’re not accustomed to doing (i.e. taking photos that complete strangers will judge you on).

Jess is not only a heterosexual woman but one that spent 5 years on dating apps before finding her partner. She knows “what women are looking for, how they think, what components of photos carry which type of meaning for women—because I was one of them!“

Sounds promising, but how much is all of this going to cost?

Package Details:

Price: $900 emlovz Dating Decoded member price, $1200 non-member price

Consultation

• 30-minute phone call for planning, questions, and story strategy
• Wardrobe recommendations and styling

The Shoot

• 2-Hours in SF in 1-2 scouted locations. Locations include a place to change clothes and fairly easy parking
• Shoots take place on weekend mornings, primarily outdoors
• 2-3 outfits + interest accessories

The photos 

• 75+ photos 
• Every image I deliver is edited to publication standards: This includes crop, brightening/darkening, adding contrast and clarity, adjusting the color temperature and tint, basic background and blemish cleanup. 
• Images delivered in a variety of aspect ratios cropped for use in multiple apps 

*Note: Jess does not share RAW files. A polished presentation is what helps clients see themselves in a new way.  As a professional, culling and cleanup is part of her job and shouldn’t cost you extra time to sort through unusable files. 

The Delivery: 

• Download from a personal, private, online gallery avilable for 30 days
• Full set delivered in 7-10 days
• Full-size, print ready JPEG files

Add-ons: 

• Additional Hours: $350/hr
• Additional SF Locations: $50/location (limits apply)
• Added retouching: $50/file (body contouring, additional blemish/wrinkle removal, background alteration, ect)
• Bring a friend to extend and share the shoot! $400 per person per hour
• Rush processing: $200 full set delivery in 3 days (subject to availability)

The photos above are proof that Jess knows what she’s doing.

But she isn’t the only San Francisco online dating photographer that we partner with.

Tips For DIY

Getting professional photos taken is 100% worth it. Ask any student of mine in Dating Decoded.

As Krista tell me, “Lots of people can get terrific results with a cell phone, however, with a DSLR camera, the difference in quality is pretty obvious and does come across even in a thumbnail dating app image. With a DSLR, the photographer can create special effects like shallow depth of field without using a filter. The pixel resolution is also much better when zooming in. Overall, having high-quality portraits for dating is like giving yourself the best possible opportunity for success.”

But even when equipped with this information, not everyone is going to want to get photos taken.

If that’s the case here are some tips on taking your own photos.

• Avoid selfies at all costs! Buy a tripod or set your phone 5 feet away
• Direct light can wash away your features, take photos in indirect light
• Check your 6. Background is everything
• Don’t forget to smile
• Be ready to take a lot of photos. You may only take one decent photo out of 50

When it comes to taking the perfect photo, Jess tells me it goes beyond the equipment you’re using, “It’s about everything else: finding the right light, the right position, the right angle, the right moment, the right expression, the right surroundings—those are the things that make effective images, and getting all that right in a frame takes years to master. And then there is getting it right 50 times in a row.”

What Are Photos You Must Have In Your Profile

Jess and Krista have been doing this long enough that they know exactly which photos work and which don’t, which photos are Tinder worthy, and which are best posted on IG.

When I asked Krista which photos are must-haves, she said:

“Guys should definitely have these basics: headshot, ¾ length, full length, fitness/healthy looking image, business (depending on career/profession), playful, sexy (but not cheesy) with a pet or animal, and something showing their personality – adventure, a hobby, music, camping/outdoorsy, artsy….whatever might show off a unique quality or personal authenticity.”

A professional San Francisco online dating photographer knows what your profile needs.

Even before your shoot, they’ll help you map out each photo so that your profile hits all the notes.

Now it’s time to dress your best and flex those sparkly whites.

Contact one of our photographers via this link.

Are Professional Photos ENOUGH To Land Your Dream Relationship?

No. But professional photos will get you in the door to land some amazing dates with women you’re really excited about.

Once you have an amazing roster of photos to choose from it’s time to learn how to round out your profile, message women online, ask them out (and get a hell yes every time), setup killer date ideas, increase sexual tension in between your dates, have lots of physical intimacy, and much more.

Interested in learning how we here at emlovz can help you?

We teach our students the shortcut to finding their ideal match by MegaDating. MegaDating is our dating philosophy and it shapes everything we teach here at emlovz. Simply put MegaDating is dating prolifically with the specific goal of going on 20 dates in 90 days. This will give you ample women to compare and contrast so you can refine your not only your dating skills but who your ideal partner is.

To teach you how to quickly find highly compatible women in just weeks and become the most eligible bachelor in town you’ll have a team of romantic experts, each skilled in their own unique area to support you.

• Emyli (me), co-founder, curriculum developer, head coach, and I host two coaching sessions every week
• Thomas, co-founder, and coach. He’ll lead the biweekly Man Cave event where men come together to talk dating, bond with one another, and support other single men
• Cat, Brooke, and Audrey are mock date specialists. Go on a practice date with them (and receive feedback) before your next date
• Hailey is your new stylist. She’s worked with celebs from every industry and is now about to raid your closet
• Tilly is our holistic sex & intimacy coach. She’ll help you get the most out of your sex life so you and your partner are happier between the sheets
• Aundrea is an award-winning fitness coach. Are you ready to eat right and build muscle?
• Mia is our SM specialist. Revamp your SM profiles with her help and start meeting women online

And look, we realize that the single life can be difficult. If accepted into our coaching program, Dating Decoded, you’d be joining a community of supportive men and coaches who are there to listen, support, and encourage you as you navigate the single life.

Our program offers every student a lifetime membership (as if you’ll need it) so the support won’t stop until you’ve found your ideal partner.

If you’re ready to find your forever partner, book a Zoom session with our team today. Together we’ll talk about your dating history, your goals and show you how our program, Dating Decoded, can help you find your ideal partner.

Learn how our students have already improved their dating lives.