Profile Pictures: What Ladies Should Skip

Online dating can definitely be an adventure and profile pictures make it even more fun. You and your potential matches get to see one another in a variety of poses clothing, attire and situations and vet both the physical and emotional side of things before you’ve ever met.

Profile pictures are a double-edged sword, however, and especially for women. While I am confident that you can never reveal too little in your pictures, I’m completely sure you can reveal too much. Most gals on online dating sites are looking for a boyfriend. If they just wanted to hook-up, they’d be trolling the local bars with their girlfriends on a Friday night. If you’re one of those gals looking for a solid and loving partner, I’ll make my case for omitting certain types of pictures from your online dating profile.

The Swimsuit Shot

Unless you’re a competitive swimmer sporting a one-piece suit, ditch the bikini shots. The men in your life need to earn the right to see you in revealing attire. Every time I see a picture of a girl in a bikini on an online dating site, I think: wow – she’s putting that out there for everyone. Why not save a little something for your future sweetie – something that not everyone gets to see? After all, the guys you attract with a bikini shot are going to be looking at you for one thing, and that one thing isn’t (hopefully) going to happen on the first date. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re wasting your own time by attracting the wrong kind of guy. You’re gorgeous and look great in a bikini, so let your future sweetie relish the fact that he’s the one who gets to share that, not everyone else who stumbled across your online dating profile.

Wedding Shots

You may be the world’s best bridesmaid, maid of honor or really love how you looked in your own photos from a previous marriage. Honey – guys don’t want to see that. Guys want to get to know you, date you and enjoy having a girlfriend before imagining you in bridal attire. If you really want to use a wedding shot where you’re a complete knockout, crop it to show only you and from the waist-up. Men want to picture themselves with you, not view pictures where you’re with a former flame. Don’t scare the good ones off before you’ve even had the chance to meet.

Cleavage Shots

Some women are blessed with gorgeous breasts. Even if you’re on the smaller side, the right bra and top can make your figure a stand-out in photos. Those pics don’t belong on your online dating profile. Just like with the bikini shots, men need to earn the right to see what you’ve got on underneath your clothes. Men have active imaginations and if you show them what they’re getting before they have a chance to unwrap the gift – guess what? Interest wanes. Keep your kittens under wraps and choose photos that accentuate your positives but prevent you from looking like a nightclub floozy. Crop photos to show just from the shoulders up if you really want to include them. There’s not a guy out there who doesn’t appreciate a beautiful girl, but guys want to know that what they’re getting, once again, hasn’t been shown to everyone and their brother before you came along. Make yourself look like a prize and let your prospective matches know that you’re sexy but not skanky.