Last updated on June 9th, 2020 at 01:12 pm
When creating your dating profile, your picture is the most important part. When taking pictures for your dating profile, you want to stand out from the crowd. A picture says a lot about you and is a great way to showcase your hobbies and personality.
Wondering how to take dating profile pictures that make an impact? Keep reading to learn the best tips and tricks to make your dating profile pictures look fabulous.
Show Your Natural Smile
Did you know there are different types of smiles? There are ten main types, in fact. Smiles like the Duchenne make your face light up and make you appear more friendly. There’s also the flirtatious or coy smile, which is a great way to show interest in someone.
People smile for a variety of reasons but there’s a big difference between a genuine smile and a forced smile. When deciding on the right dating profile pictures, pick a photo where you’re genuinely happy.
Studies show that people with a natural smile in their photo make good first impressions. A genuine smile that involves the muscles around the eyes increases trust in others and makes you look more approachable.
Avoid any pictures where you’re forcing a smile or if you look annoyed. People can tell when you’re being real even in your photos.
Be Creative
Millions of people use dating websites to find a partner. Chances are that they’re looking at multiple photos and profiles every day. If you want your profile to stand out, you have to think outside the box and get creative.
Look up the best online dating profile pictures examples and you’ll see a lot of cute and quirky poses. Using a prop in your photo is a good way to show people what you’re into and make your picture stand out.
If you love dogs, take a photo with your pet. If you play guitar, include a picture of you playing. A photo really does say a thousand words about you. The right prop in your photo can tell the world what kind of person you are.
Avoid Group Shots
Good dating profile pictures focus on the individual. The more people in a photo the more confusing it becomes when someone clicks on your profile. They might wonder which one you are, especially in a large group.
Posting a picture with many people in it is one of the major dating photo mistakes many people make. Some people might draw the wrong conclusions about you. If you have all group photos, people might think you’re not confident enough to put yourself out there, for example.
Don’t Use Masks or Filters
Snapchat masks can be a lot of fun to play around with, but they obscure part of your face and distort your appearance. Leave the mask picture on Snapchat instead.
You want your profile picture to accurately reflect your appearance. So even though it might be tempting, skip the filters, too. Too much filtering can alter your appearance, making that first date awkward.
You want your photo to reflect yourself as much as possible.
Ask a Friend for a Second Opinion
Sometimes it’s best to ask for a second opinion on the perfect photo. You might love the way you look in that one vacation selfie, but other people might see it differently.
It never hurts to ask a friend for their advice. After all, a good friend knows you well and can give you tips on how to show off your personality and traits.
Wondering how to take a good profile picture? Have someone else take your photo.
Take a day to have a photo op with your friend. Consider going to a park or somewhere outside with good natural lighting. Have them take some candid photos where you’re not looking at the camera and see if you can get a good natural smile.
Take Advantage of Golden Hour
Have you ever noticed that your photos look better in a certain light? You’re not imagining it. Light has a huge impact on the way we look.
Avoid taking pictures by LED or fluorescent lighting because this cold type of light makes us look harsh. Warm lighting is the most flattering for skin tones, making it the ideal time for photos.
Wondering how to take dating profile pictures that draw everyone’s attention?
Take advantage of golden hour. This is the period after sunrise or before sunset where daylight is reddish and soft.
This short period of time gives your photos a warm glow, making them more interesting. It’s also the most flattering type of lighting for portrait photography.
Use Photo Editor Apps
Although you shouldn’t rely too heavily on filters and editing tools, a photo editing app can be useful. For example, you could edit out someone’s face in the back of your photo or brighten up a dark picture.
Photo editing tools are good for enhancing the clarity of a picture or cropping out unwanted details. Just don’t edit too much or it becomes obvious.
Guys, Skip the Selfie
People love taking selfies, but are they good for dating profile pictures? That depends on whether you’re a guy or a girl.
When taking dating profile pictures for guys, avoid taking selfies for the best results. Guys that take gym pictures or shirtless selfies in front of the mirror tend to get fewer messages.
Women with selfies get roughly the same or a small percentage more messages. But avoid poses that look too forced or misleading angles.
How to Take a Good Profile Picture for Guys
Guys that include an outdoor photo on their dating profile generally receive more messages. Try to take photos in interesting locations. Travel photos tend to do well because you’re conveying that you’re adventurous and interesting.
Avoid taking pictures in or around your car. People want to connect with you, not see your car.
How to Take a Profile Picture for Women
Most men like pictures of women when they’re smiling or looking flirty. In fact, smiling can make you look more attractive to potential partners.
Women should also include a recent full body shot for best results. Providing a full body shot proves you’re open and honest about what you look like and who you are. It can also make you seem more confident and it’s a good opportunity to show off your personality.
