Tag Archives: online dating

Dating Profile Session | Somerville, NJ

If I could have ANY job, I would love to own a candy shop…. you’re literally handing out “happiness” all day long… how could anything be better!?

I had a great time hanging out with Jason on an early weekday morning in Somerville, NJ! We were a little worried about the weather, but the sun showed up and helped us capture some awesome shots!

Jason has a demanding job, but he understands the importance of balance between work and family. He also is serious about finding the right person and was able to dedicate some time from his busy schedule to meet with me for our photoshoot.

While Jason’s job may be demanding, it is also extremely fulfilling. He is doing really important work that is quite literally changing and saving lives! But if he could have ANY job, it would be owning a candy shop so he could put smiles on other people’s faces. How “sweet” is that?!?

When I was younger I thought I had the right temperament to be a great doctor, but then I realized how much school was necessary! My current job brings me a lot of fulfillment and is rewarding.

I asked Jason what the last thing was that he wished for. His answer was the perfect amount of seriousness and humor, in my opinion. His initial response was:

I feel blessed to have my health, happiness, and a constant flow of opportunities coming my way to learn and grow. So, whenever I’m offered a chance to make a wish, I always say “I’m thankful for what I have, and I want nothing more.”

Which he quickly followed up with:

But I wish I could eat a pound of M&M’s a week and not get fat!! That’s my favorite candy by the way!

Jason has “the world’s most amazing 11 year old boy… he has no idea how much I love him”. But that’s not all! He also is the proud Dad to 3 pathos plants! He even named them! Gertrude (she’s a southern belle), Mariah (cuz she’s on fire!), and Suzanne. LOL!

I asked Jason what are the 3 most important things he is looking for in a partner.

Honesty, Trust, and Communication are essential for me.

Jason, I had a great time learning about you and exploring around Somerville. I hope you find your special someone <3 You may have to meet some frogs before you meet your princess!

So let’s get to the photos!

If you are interested in scheduling a dating profile session with me, fill out my contact form for more information!

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Montclair, NJ

“I’d like to buy the world a coke”

Aidan and I met in Montclair a couple of days after Christmas. It was chilly, but the air was crisp and exhilarating! We decided on a great little coffee shop to start out, grab a cup and ease into our shoot. Only one slight problem…the actual coffee shop side was under construction. Doh!

Luckily for me, and for the beauty of random street closures in our beautiful State of NJ, I just so happened to drive by a cute little section that I had never been to before. However, it had some major potential! And coffee…don’t forget the coffee! I looked at Aidan and asked if he was down to do some exploring and thankfully he was! That’s the thing, these sessions are very go with the flow. And the more “go with the flow” you are, the better the images will be! We hopped in our cars and drove over towards the Red Eye Cafe to warm up with some coffee.

After we grabbed some delicious caffeinated beverages we made our way to the streets to start our dating profile shoot. Why do I love these so much? Because people’s hearts are in this, because I met my partner online dating 6 years ago, because I simply love LOVE! And exploring and photography and meeting and connecting with new people. It’s literally all of the things <3

Learning a little bit about my Clients

All of my dating profile clients have to fill out a questionnaire when they book with me. Dont’ worry, it’s short and sweet and it allows me to have a little window into what you’re like. I think it also helps my Clients focus on what they are about, what’s important to them and what they’d like to find in a partner. It’s kind of an ice breaker in a way because it gives us some things to talk about too.

Aidan is active and into health and fitness, but not at the expense of having a good sense of humor and wanting to connect with someone who he can do fun active things with and then head home grab some takeout and wine and cuddle up on the couch to watch a good movie. And trust me, I know he’s cool because his favorite movie is Good Fellas. “What am I here to amuse you”? He listed his hero as Steph Curry. The reason why? Because he seems to have figured out career, family and happiness. MY HEART!!! Yes, these things are so IMPORTANT!

The one thing you can’t live without…

What is the one thing that Aidan cannot live without? Is it his favorite hat? His cell phone? Camera? No. It is his Coca-Cola 🙂 And since the last thing he wished for was Peace, it made me think of the old commercial:

“I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company
That’s the real thing”

Thank you, Aidan, for trusting me take your photos and I hope that just like Steph Curry, you too can figure out career, family and happiness!

“Joan Marie Photography was an awesome experience. Joan’s creative approach is not only incredibly effective, it’s also fun! 5/5 would recommend to anyone looking for high quality photography.”

Aidan

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Westfield, NJ | Andrei

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

  1. Kindness towards others
  2. Goal Oriented
  3. 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.

Dating Profile Photos | Scotch Plains, NJ | Me

black and white landscape photo of road in the woods on a foggy morning

Okay, ya’ll! We need to talk. We have a serious situation on our hands and I’d like to be the one to address it. I say this with LOVE. Your dating profile photos need some help. Like FOR REAL!

Here is the thing… I know that some of us (younger than me obviously) have grown up in a time where dating apps are their “normal”. Its like riding a bike. They are from a different generation than me. Maybe its more familiar to them. I don’t know…but regardless, I am talking to you. The one who has been out of the dating game for awhile. Maybe you’re divorced. Perhaps you were in a bad relationship for far too long. Possibly you were focusing on other things like your career.

But here you are. You find yourself wanting to find a real connection. You’ve heard about these “apps”. How people “use” them. That they are only for “hook ups” and casual dating. But you guys, stop with these limiting thoughts! These apps are whatever you make of them! And let me tell you, you CAN use them to find your special someone. To find LOVE. I promise you, I speak from experience. And it all starts with your dating profile photos!

I was married for almost 7 years. Dated for 5 years before that. “Out of the game” for twelve years. TWELVE YEARS! That is a LONG ASS time! I don’t even think there WERE dating apps when I was dating. And if there were, I had never used them. Actually, it was probably a year and a half AFTER I got divorced that I even started to consider dating again. So now we are talking about 13 years! I can hardly even believe it as I type it out.

Starting over

How do you start dating again? Mom of 2 boys, no idea even how to date casually, and a career to balance. But if you want to meet someone you have to put yourself out there. Yes, we all probably start out by saying “I just want it to be organic and natural” “we will meet in a cafe” “why couldn’t we just bump into each other at the grocery store”. And those dreams are fine and dandy, but the chances of that happening are probably pretty slim. So I think “organically” we start to consider the possibility of online dating. And it is a strange thing when you start to really consider it.

If you’re like me, you start off saying you want to do something that has scientific match making algorithms to help you find someone you are actually compatible with. These services are usually NOT free and so you sign up and start building a profile and yada yada. Honestly, I’m bored even thinking about it. But you know what I get excited about? The OTHER online dating apps. Free ones. Ones that you can literally swipe through hundreds of potential romantic partners a day.

And listen, this is a process. It takes time to figure out how to use these to find the right type of person or relationship with online dating. To decide who is worthy of YOUR time. Also, it takes time to realize that you should even be THINKING of it that way! YES!!! You need to be PICKY about who you are giving YOUR precious time to! Because you are WORTHY of someone who isn’t going to waste it. Unless of course that’s what you want because don’t worry, you can find that too LOL.

Let’s talk about the apps…

Now back to the apps. The initial matching process in every single one of these apps is based PURELY on looks. That’s right…your dating profile pictures! Which honestly is NOT a bad thing. I do think it is important that there be an initial physical attraction. But that is what this post is all about.

So many people are missing out on potential matches purely because they need a little help in the profile department. Don’t get me wrong, some of you have it figured out and your dating profile photos are good enough. But lots of you need some help. You need to be thinking of yourself as a product and you need to market the shit out of yourself! Why are you posting these pictures on an app where your FIRST IMPRESSION needs to be a stellar profile picture!?

I met my boyfriend on an online dating app almost 3 years ago. And while I don’t think my pictures were amazing in any way. But I also am a photographer so I put effort and thought into the types of pictures I put in my profile. I wanted them to tell a story about the kind of person I am, while also trying to make them somewhat cute 😉

Ultimately, not everyone has the same “eye” as me. And that is what I want to help you with. I really actually want to HELP you find LOVE (if that’s what you’re looking for). I think I can help you with your dating profile photos. No, I KNOW I can help you with your dating profile photos!

The Product – dating profile photos

So this is the NEWEST product I’m offering. Dating profile sessions. They will be awesome and fun and laid back and more of a documentary style session. We will talk and laugh and swap stories. And you’ll get images that will stand out in your profile; “right swipe” worthy pictures. I am all about using my super power (photography) to empower and help others and this is a department that I have experience in.

What do you say? Isn’t it time you invested in YOU???

Oh, and if you aren’t looking for love, just hookups, no judgement. I can help you with those too LOL

Want to see some of the pics from my dating profile sessions? Check them out here!

joan marie

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908.312.1788 | info@joanmariephotography.com

379968614