Dating portraits help show potential mates the face behind the chat. Give them something attractive to look at with this guide to creating unforgettable online dating profile photos. Learn the tips pros use to develop better connections with new people and stand out from the crowd.

So, you’ve decided to join the online dating scene. Dating portraits will be required of you soon. Take grainy pictures on your cell phone to upload but face potential rejection from not showing your good side. Or use this guide to look your best in online dating profile photos while your soulmate is still single.

Dating portraits are essential when introducing yourself to people online. But whether you’re a frequent flyer or a first-timer, you probably feel a little nervous about getting in front of a camera. Meanwhile, making a good first impression isn’t always easy. How do you make meaningful connections with like-minded people without wasting your time or feeling silly? The answer lies behind your bio and in your dating portraits.

Table of Contents

Why Looking Good in Your Online Dating Profile Photos Is Important

What Makes a Great Online Dating Profile Photo?

10 Tips to Look Your Best in Online Dating Profile Pictures

#1. Take Photographs in Well-Lit Areas

#2. Utilize A Self-Timer

#3. Include A Full-Body Shot

#4. Try a Variety of Poses

#5. Avoid the Filters

#6. Capture Your Hobby or Favorite Activity

#7. Wear Bright Colors

#8. Share a Group Shot

#9. Show Your Silly Side

#10. Hire an Online Dating Profile Professional

Conclusion

Why Looking Good in Your Online Dating Profile Photos is Important

Choosing the perfect profile picture can be a challenge. What you think looks attractive might not attract your ideal mate. However:

“Picking a suitable photo could be the first step in your ‘happily ever after.'”

This is not the time to take chances or play with the odds.

Figuring out which dating portraits to use should be something you put a great deal of time and effort into. After all, your photos will be the first thing your one-and-only sees when you virtually meet. This is also the primary way for your other potential matches to get their first impression of you. Hopefully, you’ll send out good vibes that inspire a lasting bond.

Showing yourself in the best light is critical in online dating, so there are multiple things to consider. First, decide whether to make your dating portraits more visually appealing. That could mean conveying different aspects of your personality or simply showing yourself as authentically as possible. Then update your dating portraits often to help hopeful mates feel connected.

Attractive dating portraits communicate a lot of information about a person in a short time. They can also make introductions and conversations more memorable than words ever could. Here are five more reasons an excellent online dating profile photo matters:

1. According to research from Smithsonian Magazine, people often associate attractiveness with trustworthiness. Make yourself look hot to appear more approachable.
2. Studies show that online daters seek specific photographic evidence of the other person’s appearance and personality before reading their bio.
3. Nobody wants to date Photoshop, social media filters, or AI-generated images. Put your genuine face on the market to find someone who thinks it’s good-looking.
4. Empirical beauty is still appreciated but not always the most important thing. Many online daters report swiping right because of interesting dating portraits.
5. You have about half a second to capture someone’s attention on a dating app before they move on to the next profile. There is no time to waste.

Not sure if your current dating portraits are up to snuff? Ask friends and family for feedback. Or consult an online profile professional to determine what you could do better.

What Makes a Great Online Dating Profile Photo?

Do you have any well-lit images with clear shots of your face, body, and smile? Those might work as dating portraits for online romance. Skip the pictures that are out of focus, noisy, grainy, or featuring your ex.

“People want to see photos that look like you do right now, not five years ago when you were out with friends.”

You need close-ups of your face, full-length images, and maybe some captions to help explain the context. Daters want to see your body type, smile, and social group to evaluate their impressions. Chaotic imagery, far-off photos, and filters can be too distracting and counterproductive to your love life. Look more inviting and be unforgettable with natural expressions and realistic dating portraits.

DID YOU KNOW: Between 50-80% of people lie about themselves on online dating apps. Be different and unapologetically you?

10 Tips to Look Your Best in Online Dating Profile Pictures

Here are ten proven strategies to help make your dating portraits outstanding:

#1. Take Photographs in Well-Lit Areas

Your online dating profile photoshoot should begin in a well-lit location. This helps the camera capture all the unique details that make you who you are. Don’t worry if you’re not a professional photographer with a massive studio lighting setup. You can go outdoors for natural light if you avoid harsh direct sunshine.

Optimal lighting also keep you – the subject – as the primary focus. Shadows can hide aspects of your appearance or make them look different than they really do. Meanwhile, too much light can wash out your best traits.

“You want to make sure you’re clearly visible to all potential viewers so they can see exactly what you look like.”

Use this chart to determine where to set up your profile photo booth:

#2. Utilize A Self-Timer

The days of the shameless, one-armed bathroom mirror selfie are over. Give the timer on your camera its chance to shine. Most smartphones have automated self-timing modes on the camera’s built-in features menu. You don’t have to download anything or learn new software to take advantage.

Set the scene and check the lighting. Look at the background, and then set the timer for a few seconds to get in position. You can even buy wired remote controls and selfie sticks to help capture the perfect angle. And while DIY photo shoots take more time and effort than professional photography, this option gives you the freedom to tailor images, try on different outfits, and play with poses.

Excellent photography can happen anywhere if you’re prepared. Dressed to the nines for a special occasion? Use it as inspiration for your dating portraits. Take pictures when you’re feeling your best, so the positive energy radiates from your profile. This also helps add variety to your set. You do not have to snap the entire album in a single day.

#3. Include A Full-Body Shot

A full-body photo is one of the most important images you can include in your online dating profile. These shots show off your figure and help ensure the person contacting you is genuinely attracted. They know what you look like from head to toe before ever introducing themselves – no catfishes here.

You never want to hide parts of your body or conceal half of your figure. Dating prospects want to know what to expect when the two of you finally meet up for a date, so providing as much visual information as possible will ensure that you both can be honest with each other from the get-go.

Including a full-body shot in your dating profile doesn’t mean you need to have any specific body type or shape in order to be attractive or find the right match.

“People of all shapes and sizes have something beautiful to offer, so this photo is your chance to show off all of what makes you who you are.”

Taking a full-body snapshot is also the perfect time to show off your favorite outfit. If you’ve got a fun sense of style or simply have a favorite look that makes you feel your most confident, this is your chance to get dressed up and show it off.

#4. Try a Variety of Poses

Capture a variety of poses, so your online dating profile doesn’t look repetitive. Then choose which ones you want to include in your photo album to attract potential mates. Don’t let your collection look dull or appear as though you only have one good angle.

If your go-to image is a selfie and you only have a carousel full of close-up face images, it will be difficult for potentially interested partners to get a good idea of what you truly look like. While you should show off your face in your photos, try not to include more than two selfies in your lineup.

If you find yourself feeling less confident than you normally would when straying from your go-to poses, think of it this way: when you meet someone at a bar or other public place, you have little to no control over how the other person perceives you. They can see your “good side,” “bad side,” and all other sides in between. At least with photos, you have some control over the final image, so creating as realistic and natural an image as possible will help you recreate that feeling of meeting in person, but in a more flattering light.

#5. Avoid the Filters

In the same way that you want to show your most authentic appearance with a full-body photo, you will want to avoid disguising yourself with any sort of filters. Here again, authenticity and full disclosure are crucial.

Show your potential love interests what you really look like without any effects that alter your facial features. While you may feel more attractive with a face filter on, you aren’t being completely honest with people.

“How would you like to show up for the first in-person date to meet someone who doesn’t look anything like their picture?”

Save the filtered photos for social media or for sharing with friends, and stick with authentic pictures for your dating profile. Filters don’t have to be a complete deal-breaker, though. Add some interest to your carousel of photos, use a black-and-white filter, or try a color vibrancy-enhancing filter on just one of your pictures. This can help break up the monotony.

#6. Capture Your Hobby or Favorite Activity

A dating profile picture is a great way to show some of your interests, hobbies, or personality traits. Don’t be afraid to show yourself off doing something you love. Regardless of if you enjoy playing sports, rock climbing, painting, or doing stand-up comedy, showing yourself doing those things can make you appear more attractive and interesting to potential partners.

These images also give matches a better understanding of who you are and what your personality is like before the two of you even have a conversation. This leads me to another point about online dating conversation starters: Showing off your skills and interests gives matches more of a reason to reach out. It inspires questions, provides visual information, and offers an exciting starting point for a flirty chat.

#7. Wear Bright Colors

Avoid neutral and muted colors when deciding what you wear in your online dating profile photo. Dating portraits should feature bright, colorful clothing and accessory pieces. This adds appeal to your pictures and speaks volumes about who you are as a person.

The color red, for example, communicates power, passion, romance, and sexuality. Conversely, blue says you’re cool, calm, collected, and trustworthy. The influence of color on a person’s perception of you is surprisingly significant. You can use those subconscious feelings to your advantage with vibrant dating portraits.

Other colors that can communicate positive feelings and emotions are yellow, orange, and pink. Yellow alludes that you are cheerful and self-confident, both of which are strong qualities when making a first impression. Meanwhile, wearing orange says that you are creative and energetic. And those who wear the color pink are said to be loving and compassionate. These traits are great for drawing people in and creating deep connections.

#8. Share a Group Shot

Many people assume group photos don’t work for online dating profiles, but they’re wrong. Again, you can’t overdo it, and you shouldn’t post pictures of yourself with exes. However, you can use group shots to answer the question “Who’s the hot friend in the middle” with “Oh, that’s me.”

Group pictures on your profile demonstrate your charismatic side and give potential matches a look into your social life. A novelty shot or funny scene may be another option for sparking conversation with matches. When deciding, remember that not every photo needs a cryptic meaning. Showing that you have a supportive group of friends or family members gives enough information away for now.

Pictures with others demonstrate that people enjoy being around you. It shows you’re not difficult, dull, or rejected by normal society. Skip the pictures with children, though. Display your values in other ways, like speaking about it in your bio or conversations.

#9. Show Your Silly Side

Most people want to date someone with a sense of humor and enough confidence to laugh at themselves. Comedians, this is your time to shine. Show off your funny side with dating portraits that demonstrate your personality. You don’t have to wear costumes or make yourself look strange to get a laugh. Perhaps pose with your pup or choose a group photo from a fun night out with friends.

Make sure your jokes and funny references aren’t offensive because they could push away potential mates. Wait until you get to know someone before assuming their tolerance for sarcasm and other forms of humor. Wear a silly hat, a whimsical pair of glasses, or anything else that might make viewers pause and smile.

#10. Hire an Online Dating Profile Professional

When all else fails, ask a professional to help. Photographers often specialize in taking headshots, dating portraits, and online dating profile photos. They know what to do to make you look your best from every angle and regardless of the light or location. Many also use high-end photography equipment to make you feel comfortable and authentically captured on camera.

Oftentimes, you need an outside perspective to see what your eyes can’t. After looking at yourself in the mirror your whole life, you might not notice some of you your best features anymore. You could also fail to see how attractive you are or recognize the fascinating traits that make you appealing.

Hiring a photographer who has gone through training and certification will make it easier to put your best foot forward. Especially if you are very serious about finding your perfect match, taking care of the images in your profile that will serve as your first impression is well worth the investment.

Conclusion

Dating portraits are tricky to take and can be challenging to choose. But let’s face it, there is a lot more to the art of line profile photography than most people realize. For those looking to overhaul their dating portraits, capturing new and professional pictures is best. Taking selfies only works for social media and text message chatting, and people want to see what you look like today.

Wear something that makes you look and feel confident. Choose the most flattering lighting, and don’t hide any of your features. Include full-body shots, throw in a group photo, and always share your smile. Then seek online profile services or a professional photographer to help you try different poses and find the best images.

Take your first step to the next great relationship by getting professional photos taken for your online dating profile. Soon, you’ll see why your old photography techniques weren’t cutting it. Make lasting connections with like-minded singles using attractive dating portraits and a winning personality.