Writing about confidence, connection, and modern dating
Online dating has a way of speeding things up — and for many people, this is exactly why online dating feels intense but unstable. You text every day.You share voice notes.You feel close — fast. And yet, so many people describe the same confusing experience: strong chemistry paired with uncertainty, anxiety, or sudden drop-offs that don’t […]
February 8, 2026

How to Date with Intention: What It Really Means (and What It’s Not) If you’ve ever googled “how to date with intention” and ended up overwhelmed by a mix of inspirational quotes, 90s rom-com advice, and a TikTok that told you to “manifest your soulmate via your skincare routine” — this post is for you. […]
January 22, 2026

Best dating apps for long-term relationships in Dallas—if you’ve tried a few, you already know the truth: not all of them work the same here. In a city where the dating pool is both huge and fast-moving, standing out isn’t just about being single. It’s about being intentional. Whether you’re navigating Uptown brunches, Deep Ellum […]
December 29, 2025

Online dating can feel like a full-time job of swipes, likes, and ghostings – all with zero guarantee of finding “the one.” If you’ve ever thought, “There’s got to be a better way,” and went searching for free online dating advice, you’re not alone. Modern dating apps bombard you with opinions and pressure from every angle: friends chime in with […]
December 19, 2025

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, […]
September 18, 2025

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, an 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 selfie. My […]
July 9, 2025

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, […]
June 30, 2025

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 […]
June 30, 2025

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, […]
June 25, 2025

Swipe culture moves fast. You have seconds to make someone pause long enough to think, “I’d like to meet them.” A professional online dating photographer does more than snap pictures; they translate who you are (and who you’re becoming) into scroll-stopping images that feel real. What to Expect from The Magnetic Portrait Experience with a Dating App Photographer If […]
June 10, 2025

If you’ve been searching for a professional photographer for dating profile near me, you already know just how important your photos are on dating apps. We’ve all heard it — first impressions matter. Before anyone reads your bio or checks your prompts, they’ve already formed an impression based on your images. If your photos aren’t doing […]
June 10, 2025

Updated for 2026 by Shannon Kathleen Photography | Dating Photos That Work™ It’s one of the questions I get asked the most — especially by dating profile photography clients here in the Twin Cities: “What are the best dating apps for long-term relationships?” And honestly? It’s a great question — because the online dating world evolves faster than most […]
June 6, 2025
