dating profiles

Profile Pictures: Tips on Taking Good Profile Photos

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Your profile pictures are the first (and possibly only) thing that potential matches will look at it. You want your profile pictures to be effective so they aren’t the only thing that potential matches look at.

In my last two posts, I went over some dos and don’ts of profile pictures. If you feel like you don’t have a lot of good current photos, no worries! We’ll generate some! Here are some tips for taking good photos:

Taking Good Selfies

These are your headshots, or close-ups, so that potential matches can get a good idea of what you look like. The right selfie makes a great primary profile picture.

You don’t need a mirror to take a selfie, and I discourage bathroom selfies altogether. You want your photos to be effective, flattering, and to stand out to potential matches. A bathroom selfie isn’t “obligatory.” Rather, it comes off as trite and tacky. Just because a lot of people are doing it, doesn’t mean it’s obligatory, nor that you should do it. Better to be classy.

To take a selfie without a mirror, you’ll want the front-facing or selfie mode on your smartphone. If you don’t already know how to do this, simply google “front-facing camera” with your type of phone for guidance on how to access this mode.

I have a friend Dan, who when he posts selfies to Facebook, the image is always reversed–I can tell because the writing is always backward. My phone camera doesn’t do this, but if yours does and you want to flip the image so it looks correct, simply google “flip image” or “reverse image” with the type of smartphone you have for guidance on how to do this. You should also be able to go into the settings on your phone to turn off the “mirror” function.

When taking a selfie, consider your surroundings. You want the image to be inviting, not underwhelming (think: no car or bathroom selfies). If you’re inside, for instance, make sure that your background isn’t cluttered. Likewise, I have a picture of myself on a beach that I really like, except there’s a trash can in the picture that I find distracting (Admittedly, I have a strong visual aesthetic). I can’t look at that picture without seeing the trash can. Show yourself in an inviting context. Make potential matches think, “I can visualize myself in their pictures!” Are they going to think that if you’re dancing around a trash can?

Photo DON’T: I love the light in this photo and I’m at the beach! But I’m also dancing next to a trash can. Not the beach picture I posted on my profile.

To take the selfie, extend your arm, keeping it as much out-of-frame as possible. Position the camera/phone at an angle slightly above your head for a more flattering photo. Smile naturally, and start clicking away! Take several photos, experimenting with altering the angle of the camera, the angle of your head, and variations on your smile. By taking several photographs with slight variations you generate options from which you can choose the best one. Once you do, upload!

Photo: Notice how the man is holding the camera…his arm is extended with the camera slightly above his head. And what a nice smile he has. I bet it’s a great selfie! He’s a bit young for me though.

Take selfies on different days and in different settings, to generate several selfies to give potential matches a consistent idea of how you look across time and place.

Another selfie option is to use the camera on your computer. If you try this option, angle yourself and the computer for a flattering shot–unlike your phone you can’t easily angle your computer above your head. But, just like with your phone camera, do consider your surroundings, and take several pictures playing with variations on your smile and the tilt of your head. Choose the best one, and upload!

Photo: Here’s a photo that I took with my computer camera at a hotel room in Boston. Not bad, but I could’ve smiled more.

Taking a full-body shot

Full body shots are an important part of your dating profile because they give potential matches an idea of your body type. Your carriage can either be a detriment or a draw, depending on whether you appear awkward, poised, or confident. Let’s make it work in your favor!

One possibility for taking a full-body shot is to have someone else take it for you. My youngest son is good at doing this for me. He even knows to take several photos so I can select the best one–Momma likes to look pretty!

For a full-body shot, you want to stand tall without looking stiff. Your whole body is posing for the camera–use that to your advantage! In modeling school, I learned to pose with one leg slightly in front of the other, a simple and nice looking pose for a woman. I also think it looks nice to have one hand on my thigh.

Photo: Here’s the sequined dress photo again. This time notice how I have my weight on one leg, and the other leg is slightly bent and more forward for a soft look.

Photo: For men, a classic look is putting more of your weight on one foot for a comfortable and relaxed look, with one hand in a pocket. Notice that his forward leg isn’t bent like mine.

These are starting points, not rigid rules. Get comfortable–play around with your pose, your smile, and your body and head angles. Again, generate several photographs, then choose the best one.

If you don’t have someone to take your photograph, you can use the timer setting on your camera phone. Get familiar with it. Mine has settings for 3 seconds and 10 seconds. I like the ten second option. It gives me plenty of time to walk across the room in my sequined dress and heels, turn around, strike my pose, and smile. Yes, the sequined dress photo was done by me with the ten second timer on my phone camera!

Something you’ll need to be mindful of if you use the timer option, is where to position your phone. I have a bookshelf in my living room that I use. The third shelf is the right height for a flattering angle on a full body shot and I can lean the phone against the books. Consider a space where you have a flattering background for pictures, and somewhere to lean the phone for a flattering angle.

Some final words…

Keep in mind that you oughtn’t be following these tips for every single photo that you’re in, they’re simply tips on how to generate effective photos for your dating profile. While you’re out and about living your life, take some photos, and if you generate some that seem like a good fit for your dating profile, upload them!

This is my final post in the profile photo series. Hopefully, you found some useful tips. Good luck out there!

Up Next: When a (Wo)Man Tells you their Truth, Believe them

Dating Profile Dos & Don’ts: More Photo Tips

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Your profile pictures are the first thing a potential match is going to use in the screening process, so it’s important to represent yourself accurately and well. You want to put your best you out there, and you don’t want potential matches disappointed when they meet you.

In my last post, I gave some basic photo guidelines. Here are some more considerations:

Don’t: Have a lot of pictures sans you

Every once in a while, I’ll see a man’s profile that has several pictures he’s not even in. Usually the pictures have a focus–landscapes of places travelled; his pet(s); food; or quotes/mantras. Obviously, this is a reflection of the person’s interest, but when I’m looking through photographs, my purpose is to get a sense of what he looks like; if I’m physically attracted to him; and the context of his life (Can I imagine myself in his photos? Visualize myself in the context of his life?).

While I appreciate getting a sense of someone’s interests to determine if we have common ground (Scuba pictures? I’m probably not a good fit for them. Italy? I’ll grab my passport!), what I want to see is him in the pictures. So, have a pet you want to share? Post a picture of yourself with your pet. Are you a foodie? Post a picture of yourself dining out, or cooking, or both. Love to travel? Post a picture of where you’ve been with yourself in the photo.

As for mantras and quotes, your dating profile is probably not the best platform for sharing these; it strikes me as very Facebookey. If, however, your really thrive on getting inspiration in your life from quotes and/or mantras, choose one that you find especially inspiring.

Photo: This photo is in New York City! It serves to show that I like to travel, but as a full-body photograph it also gives potential matches an idea of my body type.

Do: Use a professional work headshot

If you have a professional work headshot, you’ve already been captured looking your best and putting your best self out there. Maximize on that! I’ve seen several men use a professional work headshot to good effect on their dating profile. If you have some good ones and they’re fairly current, choose your best one and upload it! A good head shot could also make an effective primary profile picture.

Don’t: Cover up other people’s faces

If you feel the need to cover up the faces of people in a photo that you upload, then you might ask yourself why you chose to upload that picture at all. When you cover up faces, it looks goofy and it’s distracting. That’s not the messaging you want to be sending to potential matches. Choose a different photo for better impact. Along with this, keep in mind…

Do: Keep the focus on you

You are the product that you’re marketing. Keep the focus on you. Don’t have a lot of pictures with other people in them. You don’t want potential matches to have to try and discern who you are in a group. You also don’t want them thinking that your friend is better looking than you are–you have plenty of competition already, don’t create more for yourself. And don’t, don’t, don’t post a picture of yourself with someone that potential matches might wonder if they’re your ex or if you have a FWB relationship. You don’t want any potential matches to be scared off that you might be emotionally unavailable or a player. If you do have posts with other people in them, make your relationship clear (ie., my sister).

If you look through the pictures on this post and my last, you’ll notice that I don’t have any pictures with other people in them. I want potential matches to focus on me, and if they’re a match, I’ll let them into my life and they’ll learn my people then.

Don’t: Have a sideways or out-of-frame picture

Take the trouble to make sure that your photos are correctly oriented. Sideways pictures present as lazy and inept, and no one’s going to take the trouble to bend themselves sideways to look at it. Don’t let the technology outsmart you. Orient your photos correctly before you upload. Ask for help if you need it. If you’re serious about finding a match, then you need to take your dating profile seriously.

Occasionally, I’ll see a primary profile picture where the man is out totally out-of-frame and you have to click on it to find him in the full picture. Your primary profile picture is your most important picture because it’s your lead. If it isn’t done well or correctly, many potential matches won’t bother to click any further. Make sure your picture is centered so that potential matches can see you. On Match, go to the “View” on your profile to see what your profile picture looks like. If it isn’t centered, go to “Edit” and try to re-center or better yet, choose another primary photo altogether.

Do: Stand tall in your photos

Confidence is an attractive quality. When I see a man slouching or who seems physically awkward in his photos, I’m turned off. Awkwardness and insecurity aren’t sexy. Your carriage can be a turn-on or a turn-off. Don’t let it be the latter.

My friend Evan was complaining the other day that one of the limitations of profile pictures versus seeing someone in person, is that you don’t get a sense of how they move, and that the way a woman moves can be a huge turn on for him. Or not. I told him to pay attention to the women’s carriage in their photos. How a person holds their body can give you a sense of how that person carries themself in space, even if they aren’t in motion. You want to project confidence in your pictures; your carriage can work for you or against you. Aim for the former.

Own the physical space that your body takes up, don’t be intimidated by it. I think more tall people struggle with this than short people, as if they’re apologetic for the vertical space they are taking up. Own every inch of yourself! Look through your pictures, are you slouching? Do you look awkward?

If so, make a point to address this. Take new pictures with your posture and carriage in mind. Grow an awareness of your physical body; how you carry yourself; and how you hold your body as you move through space. Notice and study how other people are holding their bodies and moving through space. And if self-confidence is an issue for you, remember the adage, “Fake it, until you make it.” “Fake it” is the practice; “making it” is the habit. Practice standing tall and walking with confidence. The world is your runway; walk it well!

Photos: Notice that in all my profile photos, both full body shots and headshots, I have a relaxed, not stiff carriage. I’m standing tall, owning the space I’m in, without it being forced. I’m 5’9″ and proudly claim all of my vertical space (In my 5-inch heels I claim even more!). My pictures are saying, “Here I am!” And for the right man I’ll add…”waiting for you,” with a wink.

Stay tuned! Up next: How to Take Good Profile Pictures

My last two posts have gone over some dos and don’ts of effective profile pictures. My next post will be the last in this series. In it, I’ll give you tips on how to take good profile pictures. The more effectively you market yourself, the more potential matches you are going to attract. And that will help you find the match you’re looking for. Good luck out there!

Dating Profile Dos & Don’ts: Some Photo Basics

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Dating is tough. The dating scene today is completely different than it was before I married. Back then, you met people through experience or connections. Today, the best bet is a dating app. My app of choice is Match and I’ve met some incredible men this way, though to-date (double-entendre, wink), none of these connections has manifested as the long-term partnership I desire. But the kind of man I’m looking for is out there, it’s just a matter of finding them, and hoping that one of them will be willing to do the work and enjoy the fun of a relationship with me.

To find the kind of match you’re seeking, it’s important to have a dating profile that represents and markets you well–honestly, favorably, and effectively. You are the product. You want your profile to stand out and to draw attention…in a good way, of course. And I’m here to help with that.

The first thing you notice about a profile is the photos. You want your photos to work like an effective book cover–to draw your audience in and make them curious in reading about you. When I’m looking through profiles I can click through them quickly based solely on the photos. If I don’t feel any potential sexual attraction to the primary profile picture, why would I linger? I click through quickly until I find a primary photo that gives me pause–one where I find them immensely attractive, or attractive enough that I want more information. So, how to market yourself to potential matches and get them to pause on your profile? Here are some basic do’s and don’ts:

Do: Have photos

I wish this could go without saying. Hopefully, if you’re savvy enough to be reading my blog (wink), then you understand this, but there are still profiles out there without pictures. On a dating website, an environment where physical attraction plays a significant role (I won’t read the profile bio if I don’t find the photos attractive.), I can only reason that this is fear-based (i.e., lack of self-confidence, anxiety) or the individual has something to hide and therefore remains hidden.

If you do have some anxiety about dating, that’s normal. Dating is hard, and has plenty of ups and downs. But if you’re interested in finding a match, you need to face down that fear. Fear will control as much of your life and happiness as you allow it. If you want the potential happiness of a match, you need to risk the potential pain of rejection. We’re all putting ourselves out there. You can do this and I’m here to help!

Do: Smile and be natural

Generally speaking, you want to be smiling in your photographs. It’s warm and inviting, and that’s what you want to be when potential matches are looking at you.

If a man isn’t smiling in his primary profile photograph, I usually won’t look any further. He’s selling a grim tale; I’m looking for a rom-com. The one exception to this is the occasional pensive photograph–I’m a sucker for intellectuals.

Do: Have your primary profile picture be a clear head shot

Your primary profile photograph is your most important picture, because it’s your lead. It should be a clear head shot so that potential matches can get a good idea of what you look like. This is not the place for a full body shot or to show yourself suited up for skiing or biking with your helmet on. Those pictures are great to have in your profile, but not as your primary photo. It’s annoying going through profiles and getting to a primary photo where I can’t tell what the guy really looks like. Consider this, if you looked at a book cover and couldn’t read the title, would you be interested in reading the book?

Above: My current primary profile picture.

Do: Have current photos

For the most part, the photos on my dating profile were all taken in the last year and a half. They accurately represent what I look like now. I’ve become skilled at discerning when a man is showing out-of-date photos or lying about his age, and it’s a real turn-off. Be better.

My oldest photo is from three years ago. I wouldn’t keep a profile picture much older than that without a good reason. A few years ago, I dated a retired astronaut/test pilot. In his profile he had an old picture of himself with one of his experimental aircraft and another of him in his astronaut flight suit. That was both a major accomplishment and an important part of his identity. Admittedly, it was also pretty hot. So, are you a former Olympian? Have you rung the opening bell of the NYSE? Share that special picture. But unless it’s really special, a profile isn’t where I want to see pictures that are several years old. Save it for when you’re getting to know someone. By then, you’ve already got their attention.

Photo: Another clear head shot, taken a just few weeks ago, giving a potential match a consistent idea of what I look like, across place and time. It also shows me dressed up, and that I’m fond of cocktails and sushi.

My oldest profile photo is a full-length picture of myself in a sequined minidress and heels. I keep that picture in for now because it gives viewers a good sense of my body type and shows off my legs, and it’s important to have some full length photos so that potential matches can get a sense of your body type. Market yourself honestly, but well. Make sure that the you in the photos is the you that will show up on a date. Surprises and false advertising will catch up with you later. You want your connections to be pleased, not disappointed.

Photo: The sequined dress! A full body shot that shows off my legs and that I like to dress up. As this photo is a few years old, I’ll probably remove it in the near future, but not until I have another photograph that serves the same purpose. Look closely–there’s still a tag on the dress! No one ever notices the tag…

Do: Have a minimum of 8 photographs

You want potential connections to have enough information about how you look across place and time so that they can get a solid sense of what you look like and whether they find you physically attractive. I usually have at least eight photographs; currently, I have fourteen. I share some, but not all of them here.

Don’t: Do a photo session

If you’re feeling like you don’t have enough current photographs, don’t panic, and don’t fall into the temptation to have a photo session to generate several photos at once. This comes off as artificial and contrived, or as a friend of mine once put it, “Like a JCPenney catalogue.”

You want your potential matches to see you in your natural element across place and time. So, if you feel you’re lacking flattering current photographs, make a point of addressing this. When you’re out in your life doing the things you enjoy, take some selfies or have a friend take some full body shots of you. I always take multiples, then select the best one. As you get some good photos, upload them to your profile. It doesn’t need to happen all at once if you don’t have enough photos right now.

Do: Have a good mix of close-ups and full-body shots

You want to give potential matches a good sense of what you look like, no surprises. This should include both clear pictures of your face as well as full-body shots to represent your body type. Different people are attracted to different types; you deserve someone who finds you attractive for who you are. Represent yourself honestly. No filters, no blurry pictures.

I’m an attractive woman, but I’m not to every man’s taste. I’m white, slender, tall, brunette, leggy, and nearsighted (I wear glasses). For men who are drawn to those attributes, I’m a fine specimen of a woman at 52. But there are many things I’m not, including buxom. I have my curves, but a man whose preference is for an hourglass figure probably isn’t going to be drawn to me physically. And, that’s okay. I want someone who appreciates me for the gorgeous me I am. You deserve the same, so put your best you out there!

Photo: Another full body shot to show consistency of my body type across time and place. This one shows me undertaking a home project. Handy isn’t a comfortable part of my range but as a single homeowner it is within my range. Sort of. This photo also shows me very casually dressed. I can go from short-shorts and a tank to a sequined dress (though I’d probably shower in-between)!

Do: Have a good mix of you in different settings

I get excited when I find a profile of an attractive man with a photograph of him hiking (I love to hike!) and another of him in a tuxedo (Yummy!). Two totally different settings, but they’re both me. I enjoy dressing to the nines in a cocktail dress and five inch heels; but I also love hiking in my tank, shorts, and Tevas. I have range. If you do too, represent that range in your photographs. Show yourself doing a range of activities you enjoy (i.e., travel, hiking, sports, kayaking, a museum, fine dining, etc.); and show yourself in both a casual setting (i.e., hiking) and a more formal setting (i.e., my sequined dress). Demonstrate your approachability and down-to-earthness (That’s if you are down-to-earth.), but also that you can kick it up a notch to go out (i.e., you don’t wear pajamas all the time….If you are wearing pajamas when you leave the house, please see my Contact Me page–we need to talk.).

Above: A close-up photo of me hiking this summer near Telluride.

To the side: A full body shot at the Hirshhorn Art Museum last summer. Admittedly, it’s my least clear profile photo as I’m being playful with the mirrors. It’s one of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms, and my visual joke. This one is titled “Phalli’s Field.” Laura surrounded by a bunch of phalli–seemed apropos for my Match profile.

These two pictures illustrate my range–close-up of me hiking in casual clothes; full body shot in a sundress at an art museum.

Don’t: Do “obligatory” photographs

If you feel tempted to upload a photograph because it’s obligatory, don’t. This includes: fish photos; bathroom selfies (No bathroom selfies, please, don’t do it! You really can do better.); motorcycle photos; car selfies (You can do better!); gym selfies, and shirtless photos (I’m talking to the men here…I’m assuming the ladies are refraining or censored.).

Now, this isn’t to say you shouldn’t include any of the examples above, but don’t do them because you think they’re obligatory; they’re not. Be intentional. Stand out; don’t blend in. If you have a motorcycle, gym, or fishing photo, it should be because you enjoy those activities. And if that’s the case, then great, post one, but choose one good one, because you still want to show the range of who you are. If you have a shirtless photo (Again, I’m speaking to the men here.) it shouldn’t be for the sake of having a shirtless photo, but because, for instance, you enjoy the beach and you have a good picture of yourself shirtless on the beach (and you look good shirtless). But again, you only need one. Don’t kill it. Show your range.

You’re doing great!

If you’ve got the basics mastered and didn’t learn anything new, then congratulations and well done!

If you had most of this covered already but picked up a new thing or two, you’re doing great and I’m glad you got a takeaway!

If several basics are new considerations, don’t worry! Address them gradually as you’re able and hopefully you’ll see a good payoff as a result.

If you’re new to all of this and it seems overwhelming, it’s okay. You can do this, and I’m here to help!

If you’re happily partnered and are reading this anyway, then I’m pleased that you find my writing so enchanting (wink)! And please…send those of us in the dating trenches some positive energy!

If you’re unhappily partnered and reading this, I’m going to leave that alone.

Stay tuned! More profile and photo dos & don’ts to come…