Have you ever looked at your dating profile pictures and thought, “Why is this so hard??”
We know the feeling. We’ve all been there. But there’s a way out of that dark place, starting with the right headshot.
It all comes down to lighting, angles, and facial expressions. When you master these three elements, your profile picture will be ready for its close-up!
This guide will walk you through each step of taking great profile pictures so that you can get more dates!
11 Tips for Taking Dating Profile Pictures
A good photo can help you stand out from the crowd, but a bad one can have people running for the hills!
So how do you take a great dating profile picture for the dating app? Here are some tips:
Don’t Worry About Being Perfect
Don’t worry too much about being perfect. It’s okay if you don’t have makeup or your hair isn’t styled perfectly.
It’s not always possible or necessary to look perfect in every photo, especially when creating your dating profile.
Your profile is a snapshot of who you are, not an entire catalog of your best moments or an indication of how flawless your life is outside of that one image.
Take Plenty of Pictures
Take lots of photos. You never know which one will be the best for your purposes.
Some people even use different filters or editing tools to find their favorite shots before posting them on their dating profiles.
Wear Something Good
People are more attracted to people who look like they have their life together.
You don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but something that looks like you spent some time getting ready will help your chances of impressing the girl or guy easily.
Show Your Best Side
It’s a cliché, but it’s true. If you’re looking at your profile from the left side (or right side), take a photo from the other side of your face.
When you do, make sure to tilt your head slightly toward that side so that the angle doesn’t look weird on camera.
Put Yourself in a Natural Environment
Don’t pose awkwardly; just act like yourself and let the camera do its job.
If you’re uncomfortable showing your face, try holding something that represents who you are and what interests you, like a book or a guitar (but avoid props that look too staged).
Smile Naturally
It’s tempting to put on your best ‘model pose’ face when snapping pics for online dating sites, but don’t overdo it!
People want to see genuine emotions in their fellow daters’ photos, not forced grins or blank stares.
According to a study in 2012, researchers found that smiling can make you more attractive.
Smile with your eyes, not just your mouth: that means looking directly at the camera but not looking like you’re going to eat it alive.
Keep Your Hair Out of Your Face
Keep your hair out of your face so that people can see it clearly in your photos; if there’s no other way around it.
Ask someone else to help pull back hair that tends to fall over your eyes when you smile (this is especially important if you have long hair).
Set the Right Angle
Don’t use a photo of yourself taken from above or below, as this doesn’t flatter anyone’s face or body type. Instead, take it from eye level or slightly higher (but not lower).
Pick Photos That Feature You Only
“Only Photograph what you love.” – Tim Walker
Everybody loves themselves most; that’s why it’s essential to feature yourself in the picture only.
If you have a friend or family member in the photo, remove them by cropping out their faces, bodies, or both.
It’s best to show the world who you really are and what you love to do and not someone else.
Use High-Quality Images
Make sure your photos aren’t blurry or dark — both of which can make it difficult for someone to see what you look like.
Use a Tripod
Having your photo taken with a DSLR, mirrorless, or high-end point-and-shoot camera is excellent — but only if you use a tripod.
Click here to get your hands on a quality tripod.
How Many Pictures Should I Put on My Dating Profile?
Having 4-6 photos on your dating profile is a good idea. But generally speaking, the more pictures you have on your dating profile, the better.
The right number of photos depends on your situation and what you’re looking for in a partner.
If you want to meet someone who wants to settle down right away, you’ll probably want more photos than if you’re looking for someone who wants to play the field.
Getting the right balance of photos is essential, too. It’s not just about quantity. It’s also about quality.
You don’t want to post pictures of yourself that aren’t flattering or that don’t show off your best assets.
What Kind of Pictures Do Guys Find Attractive?
Guys like to see a girl who looks like she’s having fun. They want to know that you’re enjoying yourself and having a good time with them.
So, if you’re taking pictures with your friends, ensure you smile and have fun. If you’re in front of the camera by yourself, show off your personality with some goofy faces.
Make sure that your hair is clean, neat, and styled nicely. Guys don’t want to see greasy hair or fly-aways in their pictures!
You don’t need to be dressed up in high heels and fancy clothes for these pictures. Guys will be just as attracted to a cute girl wearing jeans and a t-shirt as they would be if she wore something more formal.
Just make sure that whatever you wear fits well and looks lovely on you!
Should I Smile in My Dating Profile?
The answer is yes. You should smile in your dating profile.
You should be smiling in real life too. Smiling is contagious, and it’s been proven to make you more attractive to other people, including the ones you’re trying to attract.
It’s also a natural way to bring positive energy into your life, which can help you attract good things like love and happiness into your life.
Smiling in photos makes us look more attractive and approachable, which is what we want when we’re looking for a potential mate.
This isn’t just because it makes us look happy; it also conveys warmth and trustworthiness, which are attractive traits in a partner (and person).
Smiling can also make us appear younger than we really are, which can be an advantage if you’re older than your date.
Do Guys Like It When You Post Selfies?
Guys like selfies but don’t post a lot of pictures. They want to see your personality more than what you look like.
If you’re constantly on Instagram making fun of yourself, your guy will get bored and leave you.
According to a study, a lot of selfies posted on social media platforms certainly can ruin your romantic relationship.
If you want to keep him around, make sure he knows he can see you without all the filters and makeup.
Conclusion
Practice profile pictures often, and you’ll master it soon. Most of the time spent on a dating profile is usually spent taking and editing profile pictures.
Remember that not only do you want to look nice in your photographs, but you want to convey a realistic picture of who you actually are.
Be yourself and get out there to meet people because the most important thing about dating profile pictures is if they will help you meet someone you connect with, whether face-to-face or online.
