I can’t tell you how many profiles I have reviewed that I have had to request that my client get new photos done. I have seen a man with a frown, a woman in a sleeveless dress who did not have attractive arms, a guy in a sweater that was big and baggy, a woman wearing unflattering shorts, a man who was wearing a formal tux as his main picture, and the list goes on!
I would have to say that 8 out of 10 times, I recommend that the client either use a different photo as their spotlight photo or have an entirely new photo taken by a more professional photographer.
So what’s important here?
First, does the photo show an inviting facial expression with a warm smile? Are you looking up? Can they see your entire face? One client, an attractive woman, was playing the guitar and was looking down.
Second, wear a dressy-casual outfit for your premier photo. Not too formal (I suggested my client put the tux photo in his photo gallery), nor too casual. Wear something that is a flattering color and something you would wear on a date. My dating advice is to wear a nice shirt for a man and an attractive top for a woman. Women, I suggest you wear some makeup and lipstick- it shows a well-groomed look.
Third, you want the photo to be recent, that is, within a year or two at the most. How would you feel if you showed up to finally meet the date and the man was ten years older than his photo, with more weight and less hair?
The photo seems to be the gateway to the rest of the profile. If a guy or gal doesn’t see an appealing photo, he or she will move on to the next profile.
One of my male clients almost missed meeting his wife because of the photo. I had the opportunity to look at a woman’s eHarmony profile with him. I told him that I thought that the photo was a horrible photo of this woman. I told him, “I bet she looks better in person.” After my urging, he did go to meet her, and the rest is history!
How important is the photo for you in online dating? What do you like to see in a photo for an online dating profile? What are your pet peeves?