Contributed by: kellyseal on Sunday, October 31 2010 @ 09:17 am
Last modified on
You may be hesitant about choosing photos for your online dating profile. Since this is the first glimpse potential dates will get of you, it's important to look and feel your best. But that doesn't mean posting a photo from 10 years ago or having your friend take a picture of you next to your new car.
In fact, most people gravitate towards pictures that are consistent, clear, and honest, regardless of how photogenic you think you are. Following are some tips to help you make your selection.
Choose current photos. If you don't have any photos taken in the last few months, ask a friend to take some. If you are self-conscious for some reason, like you've gained a lot of weight recently or your hair seems to be thinning, take pictures anyway. It's better to be honest about who you are so that your dates don't feel misled. Would you want to date someone who didn't look like her picture?
Make sure the quality is good. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to decipher a grainy picture. When I was online dating, I would assume the person didn't want me to know what he really looked like, so it was a bit of a turn-off. Make sure you post clear and recent pictures.
Don't hide behind props. Maybe you don't like the way your ears stick out, but please don't wear a hat in every photo. If you post pictures of yourself wearing sunglasses, in hats, behind cars, in costume, or in any other form of disguise, it's a turn-off. People will assume you have something to hide, and you may lose some good prospects.
Take a full body photo. Even if you feel your hips are a little too big or your stomach is bulky, you'll get more responses when you post a full body shot. Attraction varies from person to person, so don't assume everyone will notice the negatives you notice about yourself.
Have fun and post active shots. One of the best ways to attract people searching through online profiles is by posting pictures of yourself doing things you love. If they don't bother to read your profile, at least they can see you like to surf because you posted a picture of you surfing. If you are a musician, post a picture of you performing. This will also help initiate conversation over email.