Online Dating Photos – What Not To Do
Your online dating photo is the most important aspect of your personal profile. If you don't post one, you will be luck to get a response. It doesn't matter how well you write your personal ad: most people simply pass over or even block profiles without a picture. Many articles on online dating photo tips have been written. This is about what not to do.
An example of what not to in or with your online dating picture appears on the Glamour website. Here's an excerpt:
Oh my. Yesterday afternoon, I spotted a fascinating Match.com profile picture and I just had to get your take on it.
I’m certainly not giving online dating a try (because, um, I’m married) but checking out all that computer love has to offer is sort of my job. So, when I spotted a profile picture that looked suspiciously like a family portrait, I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
I spied one fellow’s profile on the nifty Match.com banner right above the comments section in Smitten posts. Though the thumbnail image was on the small side, the profile in question featured a young man posed Sears portrait studio style with a mature man and woman. My first thought was “Are those his parents?!”
The general rule of thumb for online dating profile pictures is to select one that just features you. That way, there’s no confusion about which face belongs to the profile. See original story
I don't completely agree that all dating photos should feature only you (except the main photo, of course). As most dating sites now allow more than one picture, you can post one photo or two with friends or family (make sure they are okay with this). You see, you want to show some aspects of your personality. These should not be the main profile picture though. Your might wanna think twice about posting a picture with your hot cousin or friend in it though. Anyway, here are a few more don'ts for your online dating photo:
1. Don't post photos with exes: Yes, you would be surprised at how many people post dating profile photos with exes in them. But even more weird are those that cut off the ex, but can't do much about that arm around his/her or her waist/shoulder.
2. Don't post self-taken pictures (unless you are really good): you know, with one arm outstretched. Such pictures usually have a way of distorting your face.
3. Don't post pictures taken with your mobile phone or webcam.
4. Don't post over-exposed or under-exposed pictures.
5. A rather common one: don't post an old photo. Yes, you might be longing for them days when you were lighter or more youthful or both. But face it, you don't look that way now. And you want someone to love you as you are now.
Any other ideas out there? You can add them in comments below. Share this with your friends on Facebook too, will you?
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Filed under News, Tid-bits and Opinions, Online Dating, Personals by Dawg
Comments on Online Dating Photos – What Not To Do »
Hi, these are good tips. I think photo is the most important thing if you are trying to get a date or relationship through a website.
Haha, this is entertaining, but TRUE. When I did a little online dating I would absolutely not look at a profile of someone who had a self taken picture up. It told me right away, that they were insecure.
“Don’t post sell taken pictures” good advice!