I don’t know what’s more nerve-wracking, putting yourself out there in front of someone you like in person or putting yourself out there in front of the internet to find someone you may or may not like! However, make a stand you must, if you’re thinking about playing your odds and finding someone you’d like to see yourself with in the long run or short run.
Slapping a low-res cropped image of you on your Bumble profile might be the best card to play in this game called Online Dating: Tinder Edition. Take a look at a few things to consider before you finalize your dating profile.
For More Matches
Show your Genuine Smile
NO FAKE SMILES! We can tell! A warm and genuine smile in your dating profile photo can instantly make you more approachable and friendly. Put yourself in a situation that can elicit real happiness and enjoyment for you!
Highlight you hobbies
Speaking of things that make you happy and full of joy, what are your hobbies? Are you an outdoors person? A gamer? Cat-lover? Dog-lover? We’d love to see where you thrive…and what makes you smile! Your dating profile photos would share more about who you are and the life you live if we see you enjoying your favorite activities!
Choose good lighting
Natural Natural Natural! Soft and diffused light can flatter your features and reduce the amount of harsh shadows you might get with studio lighting or harsh lighting. Also, having a less produced look shows you in a more authentic light!
Dress to Impress
Wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable. If you are not someone who wears high heels or chinos, don’t force yourself into a style you aren’t 100% you in. Your style of dress can also showcase your personal style and can help attract more like-minded matches.
Show Variety
Have different dating profile photos that show off the many sides of your personality and lifestyle. This includes close-ups, full-body shots, and definitely candid moments.
Must be Current
Your profile should be accurate in representing how you look in the present. I would go a bit further and add changes to hair lengths and changes.
For Less Matches
Using Mirror Selfies
Honestly, I find it very 2010s. It also comes off as lazy and lacking creativity.
Using Group Photos
It’s confusing to figure out who you are in a group image. I’d also add: avoid cropping yourself out of the group photo for your profile image. Again, it comes off as lazy and not fully invested.
Wearing Sunglasses
If you know me, you know this one is a hard one for me to advise. I wear my sunglasses on my head ALL.THE.TIME. But they are on my head! They rarely cover the eyes. In Japan, there is an extra layer to strong judgments against people who wear sunglasses. We want to see your eyes! That’s the key to making a connection!!
Overediting
Yes, I know what I said. We want to be as honest with our audience as we possibly can. Vintage Filter 05, and Sepia 26 aren’t going to help your cause if you’re trying to be authentic and honest. The same goes for retouching in Photoshop. Do you have freckles? Don’t edit them out, in fact, enhance them! A little bit! Show who you are and embrace what makes you, you!
Being too Saucy
Keep the image respectful. People are making quick judgments based on your image after all and you don’t want them to get the wrong message from Day 1….save that for Day 2.
Finding all of this a bit overwhelming? You’re not alone, some clients have 100% outsourced their dating profile session to a lifestyle or portrait photographer. You will have solid results and might even discover new things about yourself. The goal is to have fun with it and let your personality shine!
A photo speaks a thousand words; you’ll want to make it count!