Authenticity And Vulnerability
Removing the masks that protect you from the world is only possible if you are confident, and accept yourself for who you are—imperfections and all. You must have no illusions about your deficiencies and still love and respect yourself. A camera, just like a litmus paper and a magnetizing glass, brings to the surface all of your insecurities and self-defenses, peels off all the masks, and mirrors back every attempt to look better, prettier, younger, thinner, etc.
Being vulnerable, honest, and transparent means not being worried about the outcome of your exposure; and that requires courage and self-love. To be emotionally naked requires humility and being humble enough to admit that you don’t have it all together all the time. Emotional nakedness might seem tough, but it is absolutely worth it; it helps create real intimacy and true connections that all of us long for at the end of the day.
Signature Portrait Package
Your portrait reflects the best expression of who you are without any color destruction and while remaining timeless, versatile, subtle, and making a statement and evoking mood and emotions
- Daylight portrait on white background (showing the natural casual side of you)
- Nighttime portrait on the dark background (showing the deeper side of you, your soul, your inner world)
- Black & white portrait (classy, timeless & iconic)
A great image is a matter of the right lighting and highly depends on the professionalism of the photographer, his creativity, and his technical skills.
Our beauty team of hairstylists and professional makeup artists is specifically trained to give you the most natural hairstyle and “no makeup” look.
After your images are selected, they will be slightly retouched to realistically emphasize your natural beauty by professionals who work in the highest levels of the fashion and beauty industry.
Our Preferred Photographers
We are proud to introduce to you our team member Ron Beaver, an incredibly talented and dedicated photographer whose passion is creating classically beautiful, elegant, and timeless images.
Ron grew up on a Midwestern farm, earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from Stanford University, and now resides in the Pacific Northwest. He produces the vast majority of his professional fashion, beauty, and editorial work in New York City but is available for custom portraiture in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide.
In addition to his photographic work, Ron has started, led, funded, and advised an eclectic mix of technology and artistic ventures; and in the process built two market-leading, world-wide brands. He is a uniquely strong partner for his clients in interwoven creative and business conversations. He is also a master in the art of creating portrait experiences that fulfill the wishes of clients from any background.
World Renown Photographer and Men’s Health Cover Model Jack Guy is known for his variety of both nature and modeling images. He has photographed several celebrities such as Blake Shelton, Gigi Hadid, Eva Longoria, Charlotte McKinney, and Emily Didonato.
With a passion for photography at a young age, he attended the University of Oregon to pursue his career, eventually moving to Malibu to excel in his professional work.
In addition to his photography, he has experience directing with several credits under his name including the ABC series Dancing with the Stars.
Guideline For Featured Profile Photos
- If you prefer to use your own photos, we require that your photos match our club standards
- You do NOT have to look like a supermodel or a movie star, but you do have to provide us with professional, high-quality images that reflect your personality and show your inner beauty
The main purpose of the photo and your profile is to engage, provoke interest, deliver the right message, and attract the right person to you!
Most people hate having their pictures taken and feel they are not photogenic. The process makes them feel intimidated, as they have no experience and have a hard time getting relaxed and being themselves. Our team is trained and experienced to deliver you a comforting experience and results that will not be disappointing.
To Keep In Mind
- What’s grabs and drives attention to you is who you really are—not who you think you should be
- Your illusions and false self-perceptions are visible to everyone but you
- Where your mind goes is who you really are. And it shows up in your profile and photos!
Our goal is to make you look natural and youthful, as that is seen as beautiful by most people in this culture. The more youthful, natural, and healthier you look, the better.
- Facial attitude
Your energy will show through your eyes, smile, and facial muscles. Your confidence, spontaneity, and ability to relax and be present is crucial here
- Smile with your eyes
Just a smile is not enough. Your eyes usually will show whether your smile is fake or not. Even if you’re friendly, funny, or just plain happy, smiling is not necessarily the best way to go. Having alive energy in your eyes, speaking with your eyes to the camera, and being emotionally awakened is often more engaging than producing a fake smile—the authenticity and sincerity is what will make you more attractive.
- Eye contact
Making eye contact with the camera is effective for some facial expressions, but less so with others. However, when trying to connect with another person, avoiding eye contact is ineffective.
- Photo context
Create a story with your photos which reflects your personality with an accent on your eyes and lips; not by acting or adding details and accessories, but the opposite—through your facial expression that will highlight your inner essence.
- Professional makeup and hairstyle
We encourage you to show your skin and even your wrinkles. Don’t waste money on a professional photographer if you are planning to do your hair and makeup yourself. (use professional makeup advice – for example – any lip color darker than natural will add age to your face in the photo…)
- Different looks
Your portrait shall have a natural, youthful look; reflecting your personality with an accent on your eyes and lips, with no distracting details from your face. Make sure you have photos showing different sides of you or pick the one that represents you the most:
- Romantic look – sexy and attractive; like if you were going on a romantic date with your dream partner
- Casual look – showing you in your natural and comfortable environment
- Individual look – reflecting your personality, passions, talents, interests, hobbies, lifestyle, work, dreams
What To Avoid:
- Glamour Shots
Looking like a model in your profile may generate lots of responses, but is likely to disappoint when you actually meet. If you’ve been made to look glamorous by a good photographer and Photoshop applications, then your looks, in reality, do not match the created images. Hollywood Glamour Shots are welcome to be added to the gallery of your images but shall not be your profile photos. Glam shots tend to intimidate. They do not engage and invite connections, and that’s what your main purpose shall be.
- Pictures With Other People Or Cropping Them From The Photo
Not only is it not nice to have someone’s picture online without their permission, but at first glance, it looks a little strange. Is that your brother? Husband? Ex-boyfriend? Best friend? Which of the two faces belongs to the profile? It’s plain confusing. Cutting them off or blacking them out can look just as bad. Avoid pictures with anyone else in them. They’re buying into the idea of contacting YOU, not joining your family or social circle!
- Poor Quality Pictures
Photos that are dark, light, fuzzy, blurred, or taken with a phone, do not create a spontaneous interest towards you and don’t stimulate curiosity to get to know you better
- Hats, Sunglasses, And Hair In Face
Unless you really do have something to hide.