Flashes can be harsh if not controlled properly so if you are taking the profile picture yourself or with a friend, try to avoid flash and compensate with natural light. Have the sun behind, or to the side — the result will be much better.
The final thing you may like to consider when having a profile picture taken is investing in some high-quality professional portraits. Aiken adds that going pro is the best way to settle any nerves you may have about putting your image online. The lighting will flatter, the background will not distract, and they can make sure you look yourself — very important for your online profile!
Ready to get started with the online adventure? Register with EliteSingles today. Toby Aiken is a freelance photographer and PR expert with extensive portrait experience. You can find him on Twitter or on his website at www.
Online dating tips: how to nail your profile picture
If you have any questions or tips about how to take better profile pictures, please let us know below or email us at editorial elitesingles. Sophie Watson is an editor for EliteSingles. You can follow her on Twitter See more articles written by Sophie Watson. Online dating with EliteSingles is about meeting someone with whom you are truly compatible.
However, getting to that stage requires more than just good fortune. Indeed, to really make the most of your online experience, it is vital to know how to best put together a dating profile. Photos are one of the biggest parts of this equation — so we have created a master-class in how to take the best profile pictures. Why profile pictures are so important The only thing worse than a bad profile picture is no photo at all.
Online dating tips: how to nail your profile picture
How to write a successful dating profile in 5 steps 1. At the end of the study, women who wore red received more contacts from men than those who wore blue, green, yellow, white, or black. In fact, the largest difference was between women who wore red vs. In their experience, the experts recommend wearing dark blue or black particularly a dress shirt and avoid loud patterns sorry, Hawaiian shirt.
You should take that same consideration with your dating profile. You want every single photo to be sharp, tight, and clean. The same OkCupid study mentioned above found women with photos showing cleavage will get more responses , but are they the kind of responses they want?
Strike that balance between sexy and restrained, ladies. On the other hand, the facts prove most female online daters dislike racy photos. Also from results highlighted in that eHarmony article , women are most drawn to men who show pride and are least drawn to men who show happiness — while men are most drawn to women who show happiness and least drawn to women who show pride.
Group photos should be used sparingly because you want people to know which one you are. Normally, we tell readers to stay away from group pics because they make it harder for people to determine which one is you it would suck to have someone become attracted to your friend. You should always be the only person in your main pic. A lot of guys mistakenly think that including a group shot is mandatory, because it makes them look more social and outgoing.
Most group photos fail on one or both of those fronts, and it ends up working against you in the long run because it actually lowers your perceived attractiveness. Remember, this is all about letting her imagine a lifestyle. Many women looking for a mature, established man want to know you can hang at a company event or cocktail party.
A picture of you dressed nicely at a rooftop bar, a restaurant on the beach, or a yacht could have the same effect. Anyone can look good once, right? You want to convey that you look this good all the time. If you're lucky enough to be a guy in his early 20s, good news — you can skip the suit shot — it might actually hurt your chances by making you seem too serious or even uptight.
Yup, you want to be interesting. Everyone has hobbies, so pictures of you doing something you enjoy are a great idea. But make sure the photo doesn't look faked. They go hunting and fishing.
2. Mix Up Your Shots (Portrait, Full Body, Action)
They own the dance floor. If you enjoy cooking, that's an interesting thing to showcase — unless of course, the kitchen in the background is a disaster area. No one wants to be with a slob. You also want to highlight multiple facets of your personality, so choose a range of photos. Pro photos can be a great investment.
After all, a pro photographer with an expensive camera knows how to manipulate the lighting, help you pose in a natural way that doesn't look forced, and generally bring out your best qualities. Basically, a pro will make you look better than your buddy with an iPhone ever could. This means no studio shots with you posing in front of an obvious backdrop. Have the photographer take them in an interesting natural environment, preferably in a few different locations. Remember, the trick is to make it look like your photos were taken while you were out and about, doing fun, interesting things that align with your interests and personality.
When you use more than one photo with the same background or article of clothing i. If your photos also look like they might have been professionally taken, women will suspect you probably hired a professional photographer for your dating profile.