Better Dates with The Match Artist

What does it really take for a man to date intentionally, heal after heartbreak, and prepare himself for a God-centered relationship?In this episode of The Match Artist Podcast, Nick sits down with John — entrepreneur, speaker, and host of the Jesus in Business podcast — to talk about what Christian dating looks like beyond clichés and surface-level advice.John opens up about:Why jumping onto dating apps right after a breakup is a disservice to women and to yourselfHow he took a full season to heal, grow, and become the man he would want for his own future daughterWhat prayer, solitude, and journaling revealed about the true condition of his heartHow to know when you’re actually ready to date again — not just lonelyWhy intentional men must raise their standards, not widen their netThe underrated power of community, mentorship, and “peer-reviewed dating”How values, mission, and long-term vision determine the qualities of the woman you should pursueWhy becoming a godly man is the real prerequisite to finding a godly wifeThis is one of the deepest conversations we’ve had on Christian dating, masculinity, calling, and what it means to pursue a relationship with purpose.Whether you're:healing from a breakup, wanting to date more intentionally, struggling with modern dating culture, or hoping to find a wife in a world full of noise……this episode will challenge and encourage you.📌 If you’re a Christian man serious about finding your future wife, this one will hit home.#christiandating #onlinedating #selfimprovement https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me

What happens when two photographers create a company to help men find love—and then use the same process to meet their own wives?In this heartfelt founder episode of The Match Artist Podcast, Nick Friesen and Shane White share the story behind The Match Artist and how their own online dating photos led each of them to their partners.They open up about:How a single photo changed everything and inspired the businessThe early days of shooting and what’s changed sinceWhy professional dating photos are more important than everThe real story behind both of their proposalsHow playfulness, surprises, and intentionality keep their marriages strongThis is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the journey that started it all—from two best friends who turned an idea into hundreds of success stories (including their own).If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind The Match Artist or what it really takes to find your person, this episode will inspire you to take dating—and love—a little more seriously.🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple📸 Book your shoot → https://thematchartist.com/book-a-shoot📱 Follow on Instagram → @thematchartist

After losing his wife of 20+ years to cancer, Gunnar found himself starting over in one of life’s most difficult areas — love. In this raw and honest conversation, he shares:-What it was like to grieve while raising kids during Covid-His first steps back into dating (and the stories along the way)-The role photos and intentional dating played in meeting his fiancée-Advice for men navigating dating after divorce or lossThis episode is part of The Match Artist Podcast, where we highlight real men’s stories of resilience, growth, and finding meaningful relationships.If you’re feeling stuck in your dating life, this story will give you hope that it’s never too late to find someone who truly fits.👉 Subscribe for more conversations on dating, confidence, and building a lasting connection.https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me

How does a struggling photographer and a programmer with terrible Tinder photos turn a single "aha!" moment into a nationally recognized business?In this special episode, we pull back the curtain on The Match Artist. Co-founders Nick and Shane sit down to reminisce about the company's unconventional beginnings—from freezing Midwest winters and cheap studio rent to the exact moment they realized they could change the online dating game.They share the story of how Nick's photography transformed Shane's dating life overnight (leading him to his wife), the hustle of the early days (including Shane acting as the hair stylist), and the mix of strategy, luck, and timing that helped them survive the brutal first years. They also dive into the crucial topic of modern masculinity and finding the balance between self-improvement and the toxic "alpha" culture.Join us as we dive deep into:The "Aha!" Moment: How Shane went from zero matches to a 60-70% match rate overnight, eventually leading him to his wife (who thought his profile was fake).Surviving the "Brutal" First Year: Nick's story of surviving in Austin on just $24,000 while getting the company off the ground.The Antidote to Andrew Tate: Defining the middle ground between toxic "alpha" culture and the useless advice of "just be yourself.""Thoughts, Words, Actions": The founders' philosophy on authenticity and what it means to be a "good man" today.The $499 First Sale: Renting an Airbnb, Shane acting as the hair stylist, and the moment they knew the business was viable.The "Lucky" SEO Strategy: How they accidentally ranked #1 for keywords years before anyone was even searching for them.The original (terrible) business name: Why "Online Dating Bootcamp .com" thankfully never happened.This episode is a raw look at the reality of entrepreneurship, the power of a great photograph, and the journey of building a business rooted in helping men find genuine connections.https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me

Are your dating profile pictures for men actively hurting your chances? In this episode, a professional dating photographer reveals the 5 photo mistakes that are killing your matches on Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble.In this deep-dive conversation, Nick sits down with The Match Artist photographer Mike to deconstruct the art and science of taking the best photos for dating apps. If you're struggling to get matches or want to improve your dating profile, this is the essential guide you need. We cover why your bathroom selfies and group photos are immediate red flags and provide actionable dating advice on how to create a photo set that showcases your lifestyle, confidence, and personality.Learn how to fix your dating profile pictures today and understand the subtle visual cues that make women swipe right. This isn't just photography advice; it's a masterclass in visual storytelling for modern dating.http://thematchartist.com

What does it take for an analytical man to re-enter the dating world after a decade-long relationship and completely transform his results? In this episode, we talk with Ted, an engineer who approached dating like a project—and achieved incredible success.After ending a 10-year relationship at 39, Ted started from scratch. He lost over 100 pounds, embraced his baldness by shaving his head, and developed a data-driven system to find his perfect partner in under a year. He shares the exact spreadsheet-driven strategies and mindset shifts that led him from having no dating profile to building a lasting connection.Join us as we dive deep into:The "Exit Strategy": Why knowing your end goal is the most crucial step in online dating.A/B Testing Your Personality: How Ted created two different, authentic profiles to attract the right kind of woman.Market Researching Your Photos: Ted's brilliant strategy of asking 30 female friends to choose his best pictures (and the confidence boost that came with it).Finding a Wingman on Bumble BFF: How to practice your social skills and build a support network of other single men.The "Cheesecake Factory" Problem: Why endless options can be paralyzing and how to know when to get off the apps.From Confrontational to Connected: How being direct and honest—even when it was uncomfortable—filtered for the right partner.If you're a man who appreciates a clear plan and wants to stop wasting time on dead-end dates, this episode is your blueprint for finding a relationship with intention.https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me

What does it truly take for a career-focused man to find a deep, lasting relationship in today's dating world? In this episode of the Match Artist Podcast, we sit down with Jake, a former client who went from struggling with online dating to meeting the love of his life.Before working with The Match Artist, Jake was laser-focused on his career in finance, leaving little time or energy for dating. He shares his story of feeling like the "odd man out" among his married friends, his frustrations with dating apps, and the pivotal moment he decided to invest in himself.Join us as we dive deep into:The feeling of being "invisible" and the longing to be truly seen by a partner.Jake's hilarious and heartwarming first date story (which involved a friend secretly eavesdropping from a nearby table!).How a single, unconventional photo in his dating profile changed the game for him.The transition from casual dating to building a committed relationship.What men really want in a partnership: the freedom to be their authentic selves.This is a raw and honest conversation about the journey to finding not just a partner, but a true companion. If you've ever felt like your career is holding you back from finding love, or if you're looking for inspiration to take your dating life more seriously, this episode is for you.https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me

In this episode of The Match Artist Podcast, we sit down with recent client James, who went from being new to a city after a ten-year relationship to pausing his apps for someone special in just a few weeks.James shares his entire journey of starting over, from his initial nervousness about the photoshoot to the "overwhelmingly successful" experience that followed. He details how our facial expression coaching helped him gain confidence in front of the camera for the first time in his life.He explains his mindset of "dating with intention" and how his new photos communicated that he was a "man who knows what he wants and has his s**t together," a direct quote from the woman he's now dating. His profile became an asset that attracted exactly the kind of partner he was looking for.We dive deep into his "job search" analogy for modern dating, the strategy behind a multi-location first date, and how finding a great connection gave him the confidence to put all other prospects on hold.If you're ready to stop wasting time and find a real connection, this is a must-watch episode.https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me

Are your dating app photos getting you the results you want on Hinge and Bumble? In this episode of The Match Artist Podcast, we sit down with former client Rohit, who went from using a bad selfie to getting 5-6 matches a day and ultimately finding his fiancée.Rohit shares his entire journey, from his initial hesitation about working with The Match Artist to the details of The Match Artist experience, including the unique photoshoot with facial expression coaching and the shocking flood of high-quality matches that followed. He explains his mindset shift from viewing professional photos as an "expense" to seeing them as the single best investment he ever made in his dating life. His photos are now an asset. We dive deep into the moment he knew his fiancée was "the one," the surprising differences between American and Indian dating cultures, and how having a supportive partner can skyrocket your confidence in every area of your life.If you've ever felt stuck in online dating or lacked the confidence to succeed, this is a must-watch episode.https://thematchartist.com/online-dating-photographer-near-me