Posting your Dating Site Photos(which to choose, which to lose) |
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In a nutshell, the best choice for your primary photo is one which is realistic but flattering. Choose a current or recent photo (tip: 15 years ago is NOT “recent”!) - one in which you're having an average to good hair day. Your facial expression should be pleasant and inviting – you don't need to be grinning like a fool, but scowling at the camera isn't going to get you many dates ! Look for a shot which is in focus with good lighting – not too bright, not too dark. When browsing people typically see just a tiny thumbnail image - the sharper and clearer the original photo, the better it will scale down. Web cam portraits are iffy at best ... Rule of thumb: if it looks like a mug shot or your drivers' license, don't use it. Seriously! This may sound like a no-brainer, but the main subject of your profile photo should be ... YOU! Avoid photos with lots of extra scenery ,busy backgrounds or other people in them. Vacation photos are fine to post as additional or “gallery” pictures, but this photo should spotlight you, wonderful you. Never EVER post a photo of you with your “ex” or, just as bad, a photo where your “ex” has been inexpertly cut out of the scene. People WILL notice, and its really cheesy! Nudity and photos of body parts, no matter how impressive, aren't acceptable subject matter for most dating sites - and probably shouldn't be your first choice even on sites where this is allowed. At most internet dating sites, you can optionally post several other photos. Now that you're chosen a main photo, its time to hunt for these additional pictures. If your profile photo is your introduction, these other photos are where you begin to tell people the “story of you”. Now the rules get more relaxed – vacation pictures, pix with your pets. family and/or friends, photos showing you enjoying things you like to do - and yes, even more risqué shots if that's what you're into (assuming those are permitted and customary on that particular site). For safety reasons, its not a good idea to post photos which reveal personal details about where you live, where you work, the vehicle you drive or any other information you wouldn't want made available to the general public. Whatever pictures you choose, remember that posting a photo – ANY photo - greatly increases your chances of being seen. So dust off that camera, smile and say “cheese”!
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They say you never get a second chance
to make a first impression. Never is that more true than in
an online dating profile, where the photo you pick can make a
the difference between someone clicking through or passing you
by. It's said that even a profile with a bad photo will get
3-6 times more responses than a profile with no photo at all,
but remember you'll still have plentyof competition! A
GOOD picture can go a long way towards stacking the odds of dating
success in your favor.
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