Tips for Your Dating Profile Pictures in 2013

It's the beginning of the year, which means it's time to revise those old dating profiles and go for something new and different.

A good profile starts with enticing pictures, since they're the first thing people look at when browsing for dates. After all, in any romantic relationship there is physical attraction to consider. Not everyone's taste is the same, so if you feel like you lack in one area (like your height), make up for it in pictures by emphasizing those gorgeous blue eyes.

Following are some tips to help you choose the best photos - and attract the best online dating candidates to you:

Learn guitar. This may sound silly, but a recent study conducted by researchers at Tel-Aviv University and Ben Gurion University found that women were more likely to respond favorably to a picture of a man holding a guitar than the same man with his hands just folded in his lap. Maybe you don't have to learn guitar to get some female attention, but a picture of you playing an instrument, surfing, or doing something active is a better way to ignite a conversation than posting a plain old pic.

Emphasize your distinct features. Do you hate your pronounced nose, or your bushy eyebrows? Well, time to stop hiding them and show them off! OkCupid conducted a study last year that showed people who emphasized their unique features got more positive responses and were thought of as more attractive than people with "normal" features. So play it up!

Mix up the pictures. Most people want to see your face and your body type, so be sure to include headshots and full body shots. You don't have to post a dozen, but try to post more than one photo.

No blurry or old photos. How many times have you met someone and felt that she didn't look at all like her pictures? So don't be that person. Even if you think you look the same as you did five years ago, you don't. Have a friend take pictures of you now if you don't have anything more recent. Make sure photos are clear and of good quality - you don't want anyone guessing about you.

No photos with friends and exes. Maybe you really like that picture from last year when you were in Mexico with your girlfriend. But don't use it in your online photo. Same with that shot of you with all your buddies. Don't add to the general confusion when you're online dating - daters want to know who they will be meeting (you or your hot friend?), and they don't want to see who you've dated in the past.

Happy dating in 2013!