Chicago dating
photos that
attract the
right person.

How much do dating profile photos cost in Chicago?

The session fee is $750 at Studio 25 Chicago. That covers your consultation, styling guidance, the guided session itself, posing and body language coaching, and same-day image selection. Images are purchased separately at your ordering appointment and start at $1,500, so plan for the session fee plus the images you choose. An on-location session that requires a drive adds $150, and wardrobe styling with our stylist is $350.

How long does a dating photo session take?

Plan on about two hours. If you add professional makeup, closer to two and a half to three. That includes your image selection, which happens the same day, so you are not waiting on a gallery afterward.

How many photos do I get?

You choose your own images at your ordering appointment, so the number is up to you. For a dating profile, five or six strong images is the right target, and that is what we plan the session around. Your final retouched files arrive within 48 to 72 hours.

Which dating apps do these photos work for?

All of them. Hinge, Bumble, Tinder, Match, Raya. The session is built around the set of images a good profile needs, so the photos work wherever you post them.

How is this different from a headshot?

A headshot says this is who I am professionally. A dating photo has to show a life someone could picture themselves in. That is a different set of images, shot differently. We still start your session with a headshot, because it doubles as your strongest profile photo, and you can use it on LinkedIn too.

Do you photograph women for dating profiles?

Yes. Most of my dating clients are men, largely because men are the ones who tend to have no good photos of themselves, but women book these sessions too and are very welcome.

Can I fly in for a session?

Yes, and people do. Clients have flown in from New York, Boston and Miami, and others drive in from around the Midwest. Studio 25 Chicago is near hotels and is a simple Uber from O'Hare or Midway, and some clients fly in, shoot, and fly home the same day.

Do you travel to clients?

Yes. Most people come to the studio, but if you would rather I come to you, I travel for dating sessions within the US and occasionally further. It is quoted individually and covers travel, so reach out and tell me where you are and what you have in mind.

Do you help me pick which photos to use?

Yes. Choosing is half the work. We go through your images together the same day and decide which photo leads, what comes second, and what to cut. The order matters as much as the images themselves.

Are the images retouched?

Yes. Every final image is professionally retouched, in color. The goal is that you look like yourself on your best day, not like a different person.

What if I don't like how I look in photos?

It's completely normal to feel unsure going into a photo session. Many clients arrive with that concern and leave surprised by how much they like their images. During the session we review photos together and make adjustments in real time. More often than not, the challenge ends up being choosing favorites, not finding images you like.

Is this worth it if I already have decent photos?

Many clients come in with photos that are technically fine. The difference is not quality. It is how the images communicate personality and presence on dating apps. Small changes in expression, posture, and energy can completely change who responds to your profile.

What if I am new to dating or returning after a long break?

You are not alone. Many of my clients are stepping back into dating after a long relationship, a divorce, the loss of a spouse, or years focused on family or career. I guide you through the entire session so nothing feels awkward or forced. The goal is natural, confident photos that feel like you.

Where does the session take place?

Sessions take place at Studio 25 Chicago, at 220 E. Illinois St in Streeterville. It sits fifty-one floors up with the skyline out the windows, and the river, Michigan Avenue, and real city backdrops are a short walk from the door. Anything within walking distance is included in your session fee. If you are visiting from out of town, Studio 25 Chicago is steps from the downtown hotels.

Can we shoot at my place or somewhere around town?

Yes, and some of my favorite dating images have come from exactly that. Shooting at your place, your gym, your neighborhood coffee shop, or anywhere that is genuinely part of your life gives your profile specifics a stranger can open a message with. Anywhere walkable from Studio 25 Chicago is included. If it takes a drive, add $150.

Is makeup included?

Professional makeup is available on request and included with your session. Hair is yours to do, so come with it styled the way you love it, or book a blow-out beforehand and I am happy to suggest a few local salons. If you would like makeup, just mention it when we talk and I will arrange it.

How quickly will I receive my images?

You will receive your final professionally retouched images within 48 to 72 hours. You select your images during the session, so there is no waiting or second-guessing afterward.

Do I need to bring my own outfits?

Yes. You bring your own outfits so your photos feel like you. Before your session you receive a detailed style guide with specific guidance on what to wear, what to avoid, and how to prepare. If you would like help building your looks, wardrobe styling with our stylist can be added for $350.