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I'm Shannon — a Twin Cities photographer and former single mom who found confidence (and connection) through updating her dating photos in her 40s.

This blog is for people ready to show up differently — daters, creatives, career-changers, and anyone in a season of visibility. Whether you're stepping into a new chapter or finally ready to be seen clearly — by people and by search — this space is for you.

From dating-app photo strategy and personal branding tips to interviews, confidence-building tools, and now visibility through AI discovery, this is where your story starts showing up.

Confidence-Driven Photography & Visibility Tips for Daters, Creatives + Career Shifts

Welcome to the blog

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Online dating profile photography isn’t just about finding a match — it’s about feeling seen. As someone who stepped into the dating world in her 40s — camera in one hand, vulnerability in the other — I learned quickly that the real connection starts before the first message is ever sent. That experience didn’t just change my […]

How I Turned My Camera into a Confidence Mirror: My Journey Into Online Dating Profile Photography

Portrait of photographer Shannon Kathleen holding her camera, representing confidence and visibility through online dating photography.

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AI discovery for service providers isn’t a trend — it’s the new normal. Remember when the golden rule of being found online was “just show up on Google”? Yeah… about that. The way people search has shifted dramatically — and AI discovery for service providers is now at the center of that transformation. These days, instead of […]

AI Discovery for Service Providers: How to Get Found in AI Search

Woman using ChatGPT to search for a photographer, with text overlay promoting AI discovery for service providers and a free checklist offer

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Online Dating Photos: You’ve Invested—Now Use Them Strategically You’ve invested in professional dating profile pictures—and trust me, that already sets you apart from 90% of people swiping. But what you do with those online dating photos next is what turns casual swipes into real dates. Let’s talk about how to deploy them, integrate them into your brand, […]

Online Dating Photos That Actually Work: 6 Real Ways to Use Them Smarter

Man confidently posing at brunch table with fruit french toast and milk – ideal example of online dating photos

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Minneapolis dating photography and coffee shop charm are intertwined. Let’s be real, nothing says “authentic and fun” like sipping a latte in cozy café lighting. Do you want to refresh your dating profile? You just want photos that feel alive? These Twin Cities cafés are perfect. They double as charming, camera-ready settings. Your best photo just […]

Minneapolis Dating Photography: Best Coffee Shops for Dating Photos

Smiling woman holding a coffee at Nina’s Café in St. Paul, showcasing a warm and approachable look for Minneapolis dating photography.

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Photogenic Dallas Date Spots aren’t just pretty backgrounds—they’re the secret ingredient to dates that don’t feel awkward and photos that make your dating profile look like you’ve got your life together (even if you ate cereal for dinner last night). Whether you’re getting ready to impress on a first date or just need fresh pics that […]

Photogenic Dallas Date Spots: 10 Stunning First Date & Photo Locations You’ll Love

Photogenic Dallas Date Spots – Dallas skyline at sunset.

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Business Branding Photography In a world where digital impressions often outpace face-to-face connections, business branding photography has become essential. It serves as a game-changer for small businesses. Business branding photography is more than just a headshot. It is how your future clients recognize your purpose, personality, and professionalism. They recognize this before they even speak […]

Business Branding Photography: 10 Creative Ways It Can Elevate Your Brand

creative branding photography for small business yoga session in St. Paul

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Confident dating tips aren’t just about striking a pose or crafting the perfect opener—they’re about owning your worth from swipe to IRL spark. Hi, I’m Shannon O’Malley, a Twin Cities-based dating photographer and founder of Shannon Kathleen Photography. I specialize in helping singles show up with confidence online—because your first impression shouldn’t be a blurry car […]

Confident Dating Tips from Carla Romo: Expert Advice for Breaking Patterns & Finding Real Connection

Confident Dating Tips from Carla Romo: Expert Advice for Breaking Patterns & Finding Real Connection

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Growing your business in slow season? Sounds like a plot twist, right? Especially when your feed is filled with posts like “Leads are ghosting,” “Bookings are flatlined,” and “Is Mercury in retrograde… again?” Trust me, I’ve seen it—and I get it. But while many are quietly panicking, slashing prices, or endlessly refreshing their inboxes, something different is happening […]

Growing Your Business in Slow Season: 5 Powerful Shifts

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When it comes to dating in the digital age, let’s be real—it’s a jungle out there. Swipes, likes, ghosting, “situationships,” and a whole lot of confusion. But in my new series, Expert Voices on Modern Dating, I’m cutting through the noise by highlighting the coaches, matchmakers, and experts who are helping people date with more clarity, confidence, […]

Expert Voices on Modern Dating: Blaine from Dating by Blaine on Agency

Blaine from Dating by Blaine, featured in Expert Voices on Modern Dating

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From Bumble to Quarterfinals: What We Learned Competing in America’s Favorite Couple 2025. Skip to: Thank-You | Our Story | Competition Timeline (Archived) | Archived Spreadsheet | Integrity | Work with Shannon | Media Post-Competition Update — Aug 22, 2025 The Quarterfinals ended at 9:00pm CT. We finished #8 in our group, and only #1 advanced […]

America’s Favorite Couple 2025: Shannon & René’s Story of Deaf-Hearing Love

Shannon and Rene, a Champlin Minnesota Deaf-hearing couple, smile together while leading America’s Favorite Couple 2025 competition, advocating for Deaf inclusion, blended families, and love after 40.

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On June 24, 2025, something pretty incredible happened:CBS News (WCCO) featured my work — specifically my niche in online dating photography in Minneapolis — as part of a segment helping Minnesotans feel more confident and seen in their dating lives. Since airing, the story has gained national attention, with the feature being picked up and shared by platforms including Yahoo! News, […]

Online Dating Photography in Minneapolis: CBS News Spotlights Shannon O’Malley’s Story

Alecia smiles during an online dating photography session in Minneapolis at Boom Island Park for CBS News feature.

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In a world that teaches women to be visible only when we’re “perfect,” I found healing through an unexpected path: my self-portrait photography journey. It wasn’t about getting the perfect shot or curating an image for the world — it was about finally seeing myself, with truth and tenderness, through my own lens. I didn’t start […]

My Self-Portrait Photography Journey: How I Came Home to Myself Through the Lens

Woman capturing self-portrait with natural light during personal healing journey