Shannon O'Malley
Online Dating Photographer & Confidence Coach
After a season of heartbreak and single motherhood, Shannon O’Malley stepped in front of the camera—and everything changed. What started as a personal act of visibility became the foundation of a photography business that now helps others show up more confidently, both online and in real life.
Today, Shannon is the #1 Google-ranked dating profile photographer in the Twin Cities and was recently featured on CBS News for her work capturing portraits that don’t just look good—they feel like you. Her sessions blend natural light, storytelling, and emotional intelligence to help people step back into the spotlight after life’s harder chapters.
From newly single dads and career-driven women to hesitant first-time daters, she’s helped hundreds of clients feel magnetic, authentic, and proud of how they show up in photos. Her work has been featured in Bella Grace, Rangefinder Magazine, CanvasRebel, VoyageMinnesota, and now CBS/WCCO.
Shannon is available for interviews, podcast features, creative collaborations, and expert commentary on modern dating, visibility, confidence, and portrait psychology.
Following her CBS News feature on dating photography, Shannon’s story was shared on MSN, Yahoo!, ABC17, LocalNews8, KESQ, KEYT, KRDO, and other major news platforms — reaching readers nationwide through local and national outlets.
Recently featured on CBS News for helping real people feel magnetic on camera.
Shannon O’Malley is the #1 Google-ranked dating profile photographer in the Twin Cities, known for helping people feel confident and seen—both in front of the lens and in their dating lives.
Her journey began after a season of heartbreak and single motherhood, when one self-portrait changed everything. Now, she helps others show up with authenticity and confidence in every frame.
Shannon’s work has been featured in CBS News, Bella Grace, Rangefinder, CanvasRebel, and more.
She’s available for interviews, collaborations, podcast guesting, and media commentary on confidence, modern dating, and visual storytelling.
Following her CBS News feature on dating photography, Shannon’s story was shared on MSN, Yahoo!, ABC17, LocalNews8, KESQ, KEYT, KRDO, and other major news platforms — reaching readers nationwide through local and national outlets.
Helping people feel magnetic in front of the camera — and in their lives.
Google Ranked
trusted by
#1
Clients Photographed
300+
client success rate
(clients report higher match quality and confidence within weeks)
(real people, not models - from 25-65+)
(top result for “dating profile photographer Minneapolis” + “dating photographer near me.”)
(Proudly recommended by Blaine, one of the top dating coaches for men.)
94%
Let’s Be a Good Match
- Women navigating reinvention — from dating again to rediscovering their identity
- Professionals and creatives who want to show up online with confidence and clarity
- Coaches, therapists, and service-based founders who care about emotional intelligence, not just optics
Whether your audience is post-breakup, post-burnout, or just ready to be seen in a new light, I bring both the heart and strategy to help them step in front of the camera—and into their next chapter—with pride.
as seen in:
Let’s Talk About...
The Confidence Effect
Popular topics I love to explore with hosts, panels, and media audiences
Why stepping in front of the camera changes everything. Let's Dig Into:
From Heartbreak to Visibility
How I went from single mom to magnetic photographer.
Let’s explore:
- How does stepping in front of the camera challenge the stories we believe about ourselves?
- What’s the connection between photography and personal growth?
- Why do so many people say “I’m not photogenic,” and how do you help them move past that?
- The moment that changed everything (and how it led to dating photography)
- Reinvention after loss—how self-portraits helped me heal
- What I’ve learned from photographing hundreds of people in their glow-up era
The New Rules of Visibility
Why self-worth—not strategy—is what really makes someone stand out online. Let’s talk about:
- How to stop over-curating and start connecting
- What “authentic presence” actually looks like
- How I help everyday people show up online with intention and pride
Featured Conversations
Dating with Confidence & Seeing Yourself in a New Light
Podcast Feature: Navigating Your Twenties (and Thirties & Forties)
Aired March 2024
In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Shannon shares what sparked her journey after a breakup—and how picking up the camera helped her rebuild confidence, re-enter the dating world, and eventually meet her husband. A candid conversation about visibility, self-worth, and why the right photo can help you see yourself (and your future) differently.
Listen on Spotify
Magnetic Profiles: What Really Makes a Dating Photo Stand Out
Featured on: ShannonKathleenPhotography.com
Published May 2025
Read the Feature
This behind-the-scenes feature unpacks Shannon’s signature approach to dating profile portraits—why her clients walk in nervous and leave glowing, and how photos taken with care (and real light) lead to deeper confidence, stronger matches, and a whole new mindset around visibility. A must-read for anyone curious about modern dating, personal branding, or the power of a good photo.
Empowering Women Through Photography
Podcast Feature: The Empowered Woman Show with Lisa Carmichael
Aired April 2024
Listen on Apple Podcasts
In this inspiring conversation, Shannon shares how photography became a tool for healing, confidence, and connection—for both herself and her clients. She discusses what it means to help women feel seen, why self-worth and visibility are deeply linked, and how showing up in front of the camera can be a radical act of self-trust.
A Confidence Boost, On the House
You don’t need to book a session to start showing up with more confidence.
Download my free Self-Love Workbook + Affirmations Audio — created for anyone stepping into a new chapter and wanting to feel good in their skin (and their photos).
No pressure. No pitch. Just a gentle nudge back to yourself.
🎁 Grab your free download »
(You'll also get occasional, heartfelt notes from me — zero spam, just good vibes.)
How To Reach Me
Email: hello@shannonkathleenphotography.com
Need downloads or assets? → View my full Press page
connect on social
Social handle: @shannon_kathleenphotography