14 Helpful Tips For The Best Online Dating Profile Pics

If you have been part of the dating scene over the last two or three decades, you may have at some point turned to the internet to find a partner. In today's digital world, online dating is more popular than ever.

Whether you're looking for a long-term relationship or just a friend to hang out with, having great profile pictures on your dating profile will increase your chances of engagement with others.

Your pictures need to distinguish you from the sea of possible suitors. In this article, we provide tips that you can use to help you stand out and get more people looking at your profile.

Have A Minimum Of Three Pictures On Your Online Dating Profile

You can say a lot about yourself in three pictures. Think of your pictures as a nonverbal first impression. Most dating apps recommend having pictures on your profile to boost engagement and increase your chances of interaction. Having at least three pictures offers potential mates a quick look into your life and what makes you tick.

Similarly to flipping through a magazine, if something interests you, you stop and look closer. When choosing profile pictures, think about ones that make you stand out and use those. Have at least one head shot, one body shot, and one of you doing something interesting. More pictures are better, but we suggest starting off with three if you are timid or shy.

Add Some Variety To Your Profile Pictures

Your profile pictures need to be appealing if you want people to stop and look a bit longer. Having pictures all taken in the same location isn't very appealing. Having pictures taken both indoors and outdoors in different lighting, changing up your clothing, and featuring various points of interest in the background will help you stand out a bit more.

Some types of pictures to avoid are:

• Holding up an animal carcass or fish from your latest trip – You may be trying to convey that you're outdoorsy and adventurous, but some people will inevitably find your photos of dead animals to be off-putting.

• Pictures with the opposite gender – For those looking for a heterosexual relationship, this could give the impression that you are promiscuous or have friends with benefits.

• Holding an alcoholic drink or illicit substance – No one wants to date someone irresponsible. Be presentable and responsible if you are going out drinking. Also, never drink and drive.

• Obscene gestures like using the middle finger – You may think you're being edgy and cool, but in actuality, you come across as immature. Don't flip people off in a photograph. That's just bad manners.

• Fully nude (or almost fully nude) pictures - No matter how good of a body you have, nude, or almost nude, pictures are tasteless. They can come across as desperate and seeking external validation, which are not traits you want to be displaying on your dating profile.

Avoid Group Pictures On Your Dating Profile

It can be tempting to add a group picture to your profile, especially if you play on a sports team or are part of a group or community. These types of pictures are great for your social media pages, but not so good for dating profiles.

People viewing your profile may mistake you for a more attractive friend or not even bother trying to find you in a group. Depending on the type of group and setting, they may lose interest if they see an ex or think your group of friends won't mesh with their group of friends.

If you absolutely want to post a group picture on your dating profile—for instance, if your sports team won a championship—state which person in the photograph is you and which award you won.

Have A Picture Of You Doing Something You Enjoy 

Adding a picture of you practicing an instrument or working on a painting, or even an action shot of you playing your favourite sport, can evoke interest. If you state in your bio that you love rock climbing and you pair it with a picture of you actually rock climbing, you just proved to others that you are passionate about it and not just casually dabbling.

People with similar interests now have an opportunity to message you and connect.

Use Props To Make Pictures More Visually Appealing

It may sound cliché to some, but holding a book, umbrella, or even pretending to button up the cuff of your shirt adds a bit more interest to the picture. Not only is it more visually appealing, but going back to the last point, you can showcase something you're interested in, like your favourite vinyl record or book.

Not knowing what to do with your hands can lead to awkward stances or to putting your hands in your pocket, which some people may view as indicating disinterest, nervousness, or even anxiety.

Do Not Flaunt/Flex Your Wealth On Your Dating Profile

Whether you travelled to a far-off destination, achieved a milestone, or purchased something you spent months been saving for, avoid showing it off on your dating profile. We aren't saying you should never show off your newest acquisition, but there is a time and place for everything.

Flashing expensive items in your profile picture may lead to unwanted attention from people looking for freebies or a sugar daddy. According to an article published by Psychology Today, "… you may want to be mindful that some of the status symbols that you wear might actually repel the very people you seek to befriend". 

There's nothing wrong with showing off your favourite watch or car, but please, be humble about it. And NEVER post the price. We explain in more detail in our article Why You Should Never Flaunt (Or Flex) On Social Media.

Do Not Post Shirtless Gym Pics On Your Profile

While some of us want to showcase how far we've come in our fitness or weight loss journey, there are other men who firmly believe that the way to win a potential partner's heart is by posting photos of their abs.

In study conducted by the University of Colorado, the people surveyed tended to assume that men who post shirtless pictures were less committed to relationships, and more likely to engage in riskier sexual behaviours (unprotected and/or with multiple partners). In the same study, researchers discovered that women often viewed these men as being lower in competence and social appeal when compared to someone wearing a shirt.

Pictures like these can give the impression that the person posting them is arrogant and self-centered. The poster may, unintentionally or intentionally, be seeking validation from others, as if saying, "Look at my hot body; want some of this?"

Some people may also perceive the man in a shirtless selfie as an immature individual who is more concerned about his body and how much he can bench press than he is about sustaining a relationship.

Be Sure To Smile In Your Pictures

This may come as no surprise, but smiling in your pictures is a good thing. Smiles are inviting and have been proven to be contagious. A big, heartwarming smile shows that you are an empathetic, generally happy person.

Genuine smiles are the best; fake smiles are easy to spot. If you are struggling to get a decent smile for your image, try a Duchenne smile. What is a Duchenne smile, you ask? A Duchenne smile involves raising your cheeks and creating wrinkles around your eyes. If you laugh when you smile, you will experience a Duchenne smile.

Smiling has also been linked to stress reduction. Combine that with the fact that smiling is contagious and you may just put someone scrolling through profiles in a happy mood, leading to a possible connection.

Show Off Your Sartorial Knowledge And Style

If you are looking for a serious relationship or want to showcase your sartorial knowledge, add a picture of you dressed up either semi-formally or formally. A picture of you in even a sport jacket and patterned button-up shows you have at least some level of style.

Being able to dress for different occasions shows that you:

• Can actually dress yourself.

• Pay attention to your hygiene.

• Are conscious of your appearance.

Adding a splash of colour to your ensemble can show your playful side. Our article on how to use a colour wheel can help you pick out the right colours to create a harmonious look. According to the American Psychological Association, adding the colour red to your outfit can boost your confidence and your appeal to women.

Use Recent Pictures On Your Dating Profile

As a rule of thumb, if you are going to post pictures on your dating profile, they should reflect how you would look if you were to go on a date right now. If you have changed your hair, noticeably lost (or gained) weight, or even had plastic surgery, your pictures should reflect that.

The dating trope of someone being disappointed when their date arrives looking nothing like their pictures is all too common. This can result in an immediate end to that date and a slim chance of there ever being another.

If you really wish to share an older picture of yourself (say you won an award or were featured in a movie or television show), state in the caption when the photo was taken so that potential dates know that it isn't recent.

Pay Attention To The Background 

Backgrounds can be just as important as the focal point of the picture (you!). No one wants to see a pigsty messy room or something you just left in the toilet. Before posting pictures, double check your background and ensure you didn't accidentally leave a dirty dish or an unmentionable in sight.

If you are taking pictures in a public setting, be mindful of those around you. A child standing near you could be mistaken for your own. Also, be conscientious of people who may accidentally end up in your picture. If they are in the camera's field of view, wait for them to move or find another location.

Background picture ideas:

• Scenic landscape

• Movie or concert poster

• Your hobby (eg. a music store if you play an instrument)

• Art gallery or museum

• Landmark

Use Lighting To Your Advantage In Your Photos

When taking pictures, try a few different angles for the right lighting. You want to avoid shadows. Shadows may make your face look disproportionate and may exaggerate the size of your nose or other features. Try your best to ensure your entire face is evenly lit.

If natural light isn't working for you, use a ring light. Most ring lights have multiple brightness settings and a cool/warm switch to change the light temperature. Experiment and find what works best for you.

Warmer toned lights will emit a yellow-orange hue that complements most skin types. Cooler lights emit a blue tone that can make your skin look sickly.

Avoid Using Filters On Your Dating Profile Pictures

This may spark some debate since many women (and some men) wear makeup to cover imperfections or to highlight certain areas of their face. Filters can help adjust and enhance lighting, shading, and contrast, but the more you use, the less authentic your picture will be.

Similarly to our earlier point about using recent pictures, if your date notices that your real skin tone is several shades lighter than it appears in your heavily edited photos, they may feel catfished.

Ask A Friend To Help You Take Pictures

We can be our own worst critics. We may notice the tiniest flaw in an otherwise great picture, but that can be avoided if we ask a trustworthy friend to help choose pictures for our dating profiles. Your friend can tell you why they'd pick certain pictures to give you a better idea of what people see in you.

Summary

The pictures you use for your online dating profile should be carefully curated to reflect who you are as a person. Implementing the tips in this post will help you to stand out and get more interaction. You'll set yourself apart from the sea of shirtless gym selfies and rented Ferraris.

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