In this episode of The Portrait System Podcast, host Nikki Closser speaks with photographer Kelly Weaver, who is based just outside the Denver metro area. Over the last 19 years, Weaver has built her business around portraits she can do one-on-one with her clients, like personal branding, high school senior shoots, and online dating portraits. In this episode, she shares tips for making the most out of the online dating portrait market. 

Like many professional photographers, Weaver started out shooting weddings and every kind of genre she could book. Over time, she started tuning in to how each type of shoot made her feel. Did she dread going or feel excited? Did she feel in the flow with it, or was it a struggle? Did she feel energized by it, or exhausted? Weaver came to realize that working with large groups of people was a challenge for her, and when a friend suggested she explore creating online dating portraits, she realized it was a perfect match for her skillset and preferences, and she also finds it personally meaningful and fulfilling. 

Weaver says, “It’s so much fun, and it’ll fill your heart for sure. And when they tell you, I found my person, it’s just the greatest.” 

Weaver has been shooting online dating portraits since before the pandemic, but that segment of her business really exploded with the onset of Covid. Suddenly, daters could no longer go out to meet people, and ever since then, people have been more reliant than ever on online dating platforms. Weaver advises her clients to have at least six portraits on their profiles with the main portrait being a close up of their laughing face. She reminds them that just as she updates her website constantly to rank high in SEO, so should they keep their profiles fresh. As a result, many of her clients continue to visit her throughout the year with the changing seasons to keep their profile images up to date. 

You can learn more about the online dating portrait market, Kelly Weaver, and the services she offers her clients at Kelly Weaver Photography.   

The Portrait System Podcast helps portrait photographers navigate the world of photography, business, money, and much more. Hosted by Nikki Closser, the podcast is powered by The Portrait System, a comprehensive, online educational platform that teaches all aspects of running a successful portrait photography studio.