Anita McElroy, owner of A Sweet Day Photography, starts by blindfolding the clients and taking their photo together. After a few photos, she takes the blindfolds off and does another round of pictures before allowing the couple to enjoy each other's company and get to know one another.

An East Texas photographer is taking her skills and turning her photography into a way for clients to meet for a “blind date” photography session.

Anita McElroy, owner of A Sweet Day Photography, said she came up with the idea after a potential client asked her if she did “stranger sessions.”

“I was approached by a potential client about whether or not I did stranger sessions. I had not known about them so I looked it up and made a post about it to get some interest,” she said. “As it progressed , I liked the concept of matching people for potential love rather than just as strangers. So the blind date sessions came about; I will plan a small date activity and just let the couple connect.”

McElroy starts by blindfolding the clients and taking their photo together. After a few photos, she takes the blindfolds off and does another round of pictures before allowing the couple to enjoy each other’s company and get to know one another.

The photographer turned matchmaker said most of her sessions have turned into second dates.

“Most sessions I’ve done have turned into second dates so far. I know of one becoming pretty serious,” she said. “I try to give each person space and only get information that is openly given; I try to be respectful. But I also encourage all of them to tell me all the details.”

McElroy, who started as a professional photographer in 2011, said she has loved photography for as long as she can remember.

“I’ve loved photography since I was young. I was the girl with the disposable camera taking photos of friends in middle school,” she joked. “Then putting the photos in my binders; old school Facebook.”

McElroy shared another one of her passions — seeing people happy — and said she has always believed in “love at first sight.”

“I met my husband and married him six months after meeting. I believe in ‘when you know you know’ so being able to hopefully help someone find their person; it fills my heart,” she said. “Love fills the soul. I’ve had people say, seeing my posts make them happy. I have so many people invested in these couples, I love it.”

“To have gained popularity because of love is my favorite part,” McElroy said. “ I always loved being a photographer but my newfound passion is matchmaking and photography.”

McElroy said she never would have thought to combine her photography with matchmaking and is grateful the opportunity presented itself.

“The blind date sessions seem to really set me apart from other photographers and I’m so grateful. This has all happened so genuinely,” she said. “To have gained popularity from love and my work as a photographer truly fills my heart; I love what I do.”

While A Sweet Day Photography serves both Tyler, Longview, and several communities in between, McElroy said she hopes to expand to reach even more potential couples through her photography.

“I’m actually trying to broaden my reach so I can connect with a larger audience of potential matches,” she said.

In addition to the blind date sessions, A Sweet Day Photography also offers sessions for families, maternity, children, graduates, small events, and more.

For more information, visit the A Sweet Day Photography Facebook page.