Contributed by: Jet on Thursday, April 12 2012 @ 12:06 am
Last modified on
When it comes to an online dating profile, you can basically divide it mentally into two basic categories: the text and the images. The text comprises the self-summary, as well as the rundown of what you’re looking for. The images are the attention-getters, the bits that appeal to gut instinct and snap judgment (I’d probably include the headline in with images for that very reason). Images make the first impression before the first impression. They say more than what you look like; they can be literal snapshots into your personality. So how can you best take advantage of that fact?
Whether you leave the picture selection until after you’ve proofread your text or whether you want to use them to get jump-start your brain, choosing the right pictures can go hand-in-hand with your creative process. Instead of focusing on what pictures are taken at the best angle, think about what you want to say about yourself. What words, what concepts come to mind?
If it’s your adventurous streak, see if you have photos that represent it. They don’t have to be as obvious as something like skydiving; maybe you have a photo from when you tried octopus at a restaurant. Maybe you visited a major city solo. Maybe you’re working on opening your own business. Just remember: if you’re choosing a photo that tells a story, remember to include a brief caption somewhere so the viewer isn’t completely clueless! A picture of a pyramid might not tell them you literally went backpacking around the world.
Let’s say you’d like to convey honesty. Well, it’s a bit of a gamble, but one step could be posting a picture that’s honest about what you look like. This doesn’t mean that you have to deliberately choose unflattering photos; the camera can lie in one extreme as well as another. However, you could resist the urge to use the editing tool in one photo. Maybe it’s a full-body shot. Including one or two “dressed-down” photos as well as your favorites makes the reader feel like they have a better grasp of who you are - in both your physical appearance and personality.
Just remember, as you make your photo selections, you’re telling a story about who you are. It’s not all about getting the picture with the best hair or the most flattering lighting, or winning a beauty contest; it’s about identifying compatibility with a potential match. If every picture is worth a thousand words, why not make them meaningful ones?