NJ Dating Photographer | Westfield, NJ

June 23, 2023

“There is a saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”

I heard from Howard today and realized that tomorrow will be ONE YEAR since we did his dating profile session! And he also just celebrated his ONE YEAR dating anniversary! If you are saying “wait, that doesn’t make sense. How did he have a one year dating anniversary BEFORE the one year anniversary of his dating shoot”, then you’re right! It doesn’t really add up!

But let me explain…Howard and I scheduled his shoot when he was still doing the online dating thing. In fact I think we started talking about scheduling something about 2-3 weeks before our scheduled shoot date. And when he showed up on the day of our session he confided in me that he had started dating a woman that he really liked. But you know what? That’s the thing about these shoots! When people contact me about dating profile sessions, what they have in mind is getting some good shots that they can use for their online dating profile. But every single time they leave with much more than that. These sessions are a confidence booster. It is an amazing feeling to have someone (me) completely excited about capturing YOU! Like the REAL you! Genuine and true and really having your personality shine through. And even though Howard had a really good feeling about the woman he had just started seeing, he went forward with our session. Because this was not just an investment in his dating game, but an investment in HIMSELF! And we had a great time!

I could write all about Howard and his likes and dislikes, but really I’m just super happy that he is still with the woman he met over a year ago. Because ultimately my goal for these sessions is to help people find love. And whether these pics helped with that or not is not important. But that he is happy and in a committed relationship, that’s what makes me happy.

Here are some shots from our shoot almost a year ago!

NJ Dating Profile Photography | Summit, NJ | Rahul

June 20, 2023

“Another one rides the bus”

If you know where those lyrics are from, then you are probably a fan of Weird Al Yankovik. Which means you’d probably have a great time hanging out with Rahul who has seen Weird Al multiple times! I thought that was an interesting bit to find out about him.

I always ask my clients if they could live anywhere, where would it be? Rahul’s answer? Toronto! And if he could choose between the city or the country he would pick the city. While he enjoys the beauty of the country, he is really drawn to the culture you find in the city.

When I asked Rahul what it is that makes him happy, he responded as I would imagine a psychiatrist would:

I mostly find joy in helping others feel better.

Imagine that!? A man who finds joy in helping others feel better. Rahul is generous and is looking for the same in his partner(s). He is smart, interesting, skeptical, and enjoys connecting on a deeper level. He even enjoys yoga and has experience with salsa dancing!

We had a beautiful day for our dating shoot and we even got to experience the 11AM Pack Walk with Wonder Dog Studio! Imagine turning a corner to see a sea of Golden Retrievers coming towards you!? It was so awesome and impressive!

Thank you Rahul for trusting me to capture YOU last week and I can’t wait to hear how things work out for you!

Dating Profile Session | Westfield, NJ

June 8, 2023

“Ditto”

I’m shocked to realize that it was more than 4 months ago that Colleen and I got together for her Dating Profile Session! But yes, here we are! I hope she updates me on what’s going on in the love department since our session! Because I legit get invested! I’m a romantic and I do truly want my dating profile clients to find love! Seriously!

Colleen is adorable and she is also ambitious. She’s one of those women who sees what she wants, and with focus and determination, reaches her goal. I think she also KNOWS what she wants. And she isn’t going to settle for anything less.

What are the most important things you are looking for in a partner?

That they are loyal That they enjoy traveling That they are employed That they are ready for true love and know it when they see it.

Colleen loves her job, but when she comes home she enjoys relaxing on the couch and getting into a good documentary. Now she just needs to find a good man with character who she can snuggle up next to.

Colleen! I had so much fun on our shoot! I love meeting strong and ambitious women who know not only what they want, but what they deserve. Thank you for our time together and I am wishing you find someone amazing!

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Westfield, NJ

January 6, 2023

Who you Gonna Call…to up that Dating Game?!?

How serious are you about meeting “The One”?

In my original post (from a couple of years ago now) I shared that there is a need for dating profile picture help! I know this from my first hand experience surfing the dating app scene. I was in it. And I saw the photos people CHOSE to represent themselves when they have a very unique opportunity to make a conscious choice of the first impression others make of them! And boy, it was very interesting.

Now don’t get me wrong, if you’re online dating for random hookups, it probably doesn’t matter all that much what image you choose to define you. Or maybe it does, and perhaps you want to contact me to setup a Boudoir Shoot. That’s cool too LOL! But if you are looking for lasting love, then that’s when you need to make yourself standout. And there is really so much you can do in this online dating world.

Tom reached out to me awhile ago. He inquired about my Dating Profile Sessions and investment details. But he didn’t book during our initial conversation. Quite honestly, I understand people’s hesitation! It is an investment! Not everyone is ready to invest in a dating profile session. I get it! But, a few months later he got back in touch with me. He was ready to schedule his session and get serious about meeting that special someone.

Online Dating is a Process!

I think of the dating process as exactly that; a process. And all the people in the world can give you advice about what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s normal. And it all comes from a good place. Because I think genuinely everyone wants happiness and love for others. But what I can tell you with absolute certainty is that a dating profile session is so much more than hiring a person to take some shots of you. I find it to be empowering, fun, exciting, and so much more than a photoshoot. When you book a dating profile session, you are not just investing in dating profile pictures. You are investing in YOURSELF, in your FUTURE, in your CHANCES at finding and keeping lifelong love (if that’s what you want of course).

I found love online. I opened myself up to step outside of my comfort zone. I even eventually let go of my preconceived ideas about Tinder and created my own Tinder profile. I reworked my profile to include things that I am interested in, and removed anything that catered to what I thought OTHERS would want to see. I TRANSFORMED the experience to be about ME! And that is exactly what my dating profile shoots are all about. It’s all about YOU and capturing the absolute BEST but also REAL version of you so you can attract the person who matches YOU! Am I making sense? HAHAHA!! Well anyways, I had a great time with Tom during our session and I know that he is destined to meet someone who will game with him and watch Ghost Busters with him and even appreciate his taste in Metal! 😉

I asked Tom some questions, I do this with all of dating clients. He had some really great answers 👏 😊

Do you have any hobbies?I play guitar. I like to travel. Play video games. Go to concerts.

What kind of music do you like? Do you have a favorite band or concert you’ve been to?Metal. Love Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden to name a few.

If you could have any job, what would it be?Hospital Patient Care Work Coach. As a health care worker, I am very passionate about how to care for patients. I would like to be able to teach and guide others, in order to set a better standard when it comes to care for those in need.

What was the last thing you wished for? For my family to be happy

What is your ideal date? Go to a nice quiet bar, have some drinks, and get lost in conversation.

Do you have any turnoffs? Texting and looking at your phone during conversation. Every so often is fine, but when it’s constant? Nope. Not happening.

Favorite book? Salems Lot

Any pets? A cat

What is the one thing you can’t live without? 2 things: Music and Hibachi. You take those away, then what’s left to live for??

“Joan is awesome! When doing the shoot I felt a little nervous, but Joan made the experience very pleasant and fun. She pays attention to the little details and genuinely cares about getting you the photos you need. Thanks Joan!”
Thomas

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Westfield, NJ | Andrei

April 12, 2021

I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Andrei to take pictures for his dating profile. We had a blast! He is genuine, kind and confident. The first thing I noticed about him was his height! He is TALL! I think one of the first things I said was, “Dang! I should have brought a step stool!”. The next thing I noticed was his accent. Although he has lived in the US for a long time, he still has a slight, but distinct, accent from Romania. Gotta love an accent, am I right?

Before my dating profile sessions I send out a questionnaire that helps me get to know my clients. I have to admit that I think it might be a little lengthy right now, but Andrei had no problem entertaining me by filling it out. I consider myself a bit of an empath and I am intuitive by nature. I honestly feel that when I read the answers to these questions I get to know each individual at a deeper level and this helps guide me through our session.

When I read Andrei’s answers to the questionnaire I was moved; he knows what he wants and what is important to him. I even got the chills when he mentioned that he recently asked for something and The Universe listened! I love that so much because I do believe that when you ask for something the Universe does listen. One of my favorite quotes comes from Paolo Coelho’s book “The Alchemist”. It reads, “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it”. Andrei is a Spiritual person who likes meditation and exercise. He is also goal oriented and is on the path to fulfilling those goals!

For Andrei, the 3 most important things he is looking for in a partner is

Kindness towards others
Goal Oriented
Open Minded

Andrei is looking forward to scheduling another shoot with me, but honestly? I’m pretty sure that he is going to meet that special someone really soon and won’t be needing my services come Summertime. He is living his life in alignment, knows what he wants, is spiritual and he understands that when you ask the Universe for what you want, you usually get it. 😉

Here are some shots from our session in Westfield, NJ.