Why your location choice matters for dating profile photos
When it comes to dating profile photography, the location you choose plays a much bigger role than many people realise. It’s not just about having a pretty backdrop – it’s about choosing a setting that feels natural, reflects your personality, and helps you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Unlike brand photography, where the aim is to showcase your business, services, or products, dating profile photos are all about showing you as a person – your lifestyle, your energy, your story. That means your choice of backdrop should feel authentic to your everyday life and the kind of experiences you want to share with someone.
In Edinburgh, we’re lucky to have an incredible variety of locations that can bring warmth, personality, and a sense of story to your dating profile photos. From romantic old streets to lush green spaces and beautiful beaches, the city is full of places that can help you create relaxed, approachable, and real images that feel like you.
In this post, I’ll share my top recommendations for Edinburgh dating profile photo locations – along with a few extra tips to help you get the most from your shoot.
What makes a great location for dating profile photos in Edinburgh?
The best locations for dating profile photography aren’t always the ones you might expect. It’s less about dramatic landmarks or grand architecture, and more about settings that feel personal, relaxed, and reflect the life you live now.
Here’s what I look for when helping my clients choose locations for their dating profile sessions:
Top locations in Edinburgh for dating profile photos
City backdrops with charm and character
Edinburgh’s historic streets and neighbourhoods offer a wealth of settings that feel romantic, charming, and full of life. These spots work especially well if you’d like your dating profile photos to have a stylish, urban feel with plenty of personality.
Stockbridge and the Water of Leith
Stockbridge is a local favourite for dating profile shoots, and it’s easy to see why. The cobbled streets, colourful shopfronts, and leafy river walks create a beautiful balance of city life and relaxed charm. It’s a great wee spot if you want your photos to feel warm, down-to-earth, and a little bit creative.
Circus Lane
Probably Edinburgh’s most photogenic little street, Circus Lane is all ivy-covered stone, colourful doors, and cobbles. It’s ideal for adding a soft, romantic feel to your images – especially if you’re after that 'hidden gem' look that doesn’t feel too touristy. (Getting a quiet moment there usually requires an early morning start.)
Dean Village
Set down by the Water of Leith, Dean Village feels like stepping into a fairytale. The historic stone houses and quiet river views create an intimate, timeless setting. It’s a beautiful spot for relaxed, reflective shots that feel a little more private.
Dean Village has been featured by VisitScotland as one of the city’s most peaceful spots – perfect if you’d like your photos to feel a little more tranquil and romantic.
The Royal Mile (early morning to avoid crowds)
The Royal Mile might be packed with tourists during the day, but early mornings offer a completely different mood – quiet, atmospheric, and undeniably Edinburgh. If you love the idea of iconic Edinburgh charm but want to avoid crowds, this can work brilliantly at the right time of day.
Green spaces that feel natural and relaxed
For many of my dating profile photography clients, a natural setting feels more 'them' than a bustling city street. Edinburgh offers an abundance of parks, gardens, and leafy walks that create a relaxed, easygoing backdrop for your images.
The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links
These connected green spaces are perfect if you want your photos to feel casual and approachable. With open fields, tree-lined paths, and beautiful pink blossom in the spring, it’s ideal for relaxed walking shots or sitting on a bench with a coffee.
Princes Street Gardens
Right in the heart of the city, Princes Street Gardens is perfect for those wanting a classic Edinburgh backdrop combined with lush greenery. I particularly love it during cherry blossom season or in autumn, when the trees put on a show of warm tones.
DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK
A little outside the city centre but well worth the trip, Dalkeith Country Park offers wide open spaces, woodland trails, and beautiful old stone bridges. It's huge, and I know it really well as I'm there for a couple of hours with the dog at least a couple of times a week! It’s a brilliant choice if you’d like your photos to feel a little more natural and outdoorsy, while still being within easy reach of Edinburgh.
Hidden corners and quirky spots
Sometimes, the best dating profile photos come from locations that feel a little off the beaten track – places with character, texture, and a sense of story. Edinburgh is full of these quieter, tucked-away wee corners that help create intimate, authentic-feeling images.
Dunbar’s Close Garden
Off the Royal Mile, this 17th-century-style garden is an unexpectedly peaceful retreat from the busy streets nearby. With its elegant layout, carefully tended hedges, and soft stone paths, it creates a calm, romantic backdrop for portraits that feel gentle and reflective.
Dr Neil’s Garden, Duddingston
Often described as one of Edinburgh’s most tranquil spaces, Dr Neil’s Garden sits beside Duddingston Loch and is known for its beautiful planting, water views, and sense of quiet escape. It’s especially lovely for those who enjoy being surrounded by nature, flowers, and occasional wildlife, offering a really serene setting for your dating profile photos.
(You can read more about the garden on Edinburgh Garden Guide).
The Vennel steps
Looking for that classic Edinburgh cityscape without the crowds? The Vennel steps, just off the Grassmarket, offer one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. The stone stairway and old walls create an atmospheric, storybook feel. The Vennel is perfect for portraits that feel both dramatic and personal, balancing city energy with a hint of mystery, but it gets busy in tourist season.
Leith Shore and canalside walkways
If you’d prefer something a wee bit more modern and colourful, Leith’s waterfront has a completely different feel. The canalside walkways, bridges, and painted buildings around The Shore offer a relaxed, urban setting with plenty of personality and quieter corners for more candid, lifestyle-style images.
These less obvious locations can give your dating profile photos a distinctive feel, helping you stand out with portraits that feel genuinely like you, in places that reflect your personal style and interests.
Indoor locations for a relaxed, personal feel
While outdoor locations are often the go-to for dating profile photos, Edinburgh also offers some lovely indoor or covered spots that can create a cosy, relaxed atmosphere – perfect if you’re someone who feels more at home in a café or gallery than in the great outdoors.
Favourite cafés (with permission)
Cafés can make for wonderfully natural, lifestyle-style shots – especially if they’re places you genuinely enjoy spending time in. A quiet corner by the window, a favourite coffee cup, or simply chatting at a table can add a sense of warmth and everyday charm to your images.
Just be sure to check with the café first and aim for quieter times of day when you won’t feel rushed or crowded.
The National Museum of Scotland
With its beautiful light-filled atrium and elegant architecture, the National Museum of Scotland offers a striking but still personal-feeling backdrop. It can get busy, so early mornings are best, but it’s a great option if you’d like your photos to feel creative, cultured, and a little different.
Your own favourite haunts
Some of the best dating profile photos come from locations that mean something to you – whether that’s a bookshop, a local gallery, a cosy pub, or even your favourite record store. These kinds of personal touches help your profile feel more authentic and give people a glimpse into your everyday life and interests.
When we plan your shoot, I always encourage you to share any places that feel special to you – sometimes the best images happen in spots only you would think of.
Indoor and covered locations are particularly useful on those typical Scottish days when the weather just won’t play along. They also help create a sense of intimacy and personality that can make your photos feel more engaging and relatable.
I also have a blog post on the best locations in Edinburgh for brand photo shoots which might interest you - it covers more of the city’s photogenic spots, but for dating profiles, it’s often the quieter corners that work best.
Making the most of your Edinburgh dating profile photo session
Wherever you choose for your dating profile photos, a little planning goes a long way in helping you feel relaxed and confident on the day. Here are a few of my tried-and-tested tips for getting the best out of your session – especially if you’re feeling a little nervous about being in front of the camera.
Pick the right time of day
Early mornings or later afternoons tend to offer the softest, most flattering light – and they’re also quieter times in many of Edinburgh’s popular spots. This helps you feel less self-conscious and gives your images a calm, gentle feel.
Mix up your locations (if your package allows)
Choosing two or even three nearby locations gives you a nice mix of backdrops and helps your profile feel varied and natural. It also gives you the chance to show different sides of your personality – perhaps a few relaxed shots in a park, followed by some more playful images by the water or in the city.
Choose outfits that suit the setting
We’ve all seen profile photos where the outfit jars with the setting – heels or a little black dress in a forest, or walking boots in the city centre. Pick outfits that make sense for the locations you’ve chosen, and that you’d actually wear in those settings. For help with this, you might also like to read my blog post on what to wear for your dating profile photos.
Bring along a few small props if they feel natural
A favourite hat, a book that shows a glimpse into your personality, or even your dog – these little touches can help you feel more like yourself and add extra layers of personality to your images.
The right location for your dating profile photos isn’t about finding the most impressive backdrop – it’s about choosing places that feel natural and familiar. Whether that’s a leafy park, a quiet loch, a colourful street, or your favourite canalside walk, the best images come when you feel relaxed, confident, and at ease in your surroundings.
Edinburgh is full of spots that can help you create dating profile photos that feel natural, real, and completely personal – showing the best version of you, without feeling staged or formal.
If you’d like help planning the perfect Edinburgh dating profile photo session, I’d love to support you. You can find out more about my dating profile photography service here, or get in touch if you’d like to chat through what might work for you.
