With online dating, a picture’s worth a thousand words. Or maybe two. And sure, the bio is super important and you’ll want to describe yourself well. But if your photos don't motivate someone to dig deeper into your profile, all those poignant, funny, heartfelt words may get overlooked. Anyhow, you get the point. While photos aren't everything, they do matter.
Whether you’re on a dating app that revolves around wanting a family (we can suggest a really great one) or a more general dating app (that may or may not attract folks who enjoy casual hookups and the fine art of ghosting), here are ways to beautify your photos so you catch the attention of your potential future partner.
1. Choose Vertical Shots
Interestingly, research has shown that photos with a vertical orientation are more pleasing to the eye on dating sites. We’re not sure why this trick works, but it’s best not to think too much about it. Skip those landscape photos (or at least crop them to a 4:3 aspect ratio, the preferred size) and opt for portrait-style photos instead.
2. Consider Your Background
That same bit of research also found your choice of background can change your message rate on dating apps. Men in outdoor settings get contacted more often, while women have a higher contact rate with indoor photos. This might sound strange, but hey, humans will be humans.
What's most important though is taking a photo with a background that highlights your interests and passions. If you love to hike, snap a photo of you on your favorite trail. If lounging in your hammock is more your style, have someone capture you in your most relaxed recline. And if you enjoy dressing up in furry animal costumes, well, um, yeah.
But we digress.
Whatever background you end up choosing, make sure the setting is pleasing to the eye. That means cropping out randos and keeping that toilet lid closed if you’re doing a bathroom mirror selfie. Actually, just skip the mirror selfies.
3. Dominate the Frame
Make a bold statement right away on your dating app profile by choosing a pose that conveys confidence, also known as an expansive posture. The more dominant you seem in a photograph, the more likely you’ll make a good impression.
What does this mean exactly? Photos with outstretched limbs, like doing a cartwheel or raising your arms wide, scored as more attractive — for men especially. Think power pose, but instead of amping-up to confront your boss, you’re zoning-in to find a partner.
4. Skip the Flash
It’s been said that the burst of light from a flash can add years to your face. So unless your goal is to look older (not that there’s anything wrong with that), a better alternative is to use soft, natural light. This gives you a calm glow, eliminates the vampire-caught-in-headlights look, and helps your unique beauty shine through.
For an even better photo, try to take a snap during the Golden Hour. This is generally right after sunrise or right before sunset. Lean into the glow and you'll be set.
5. Smile!
Feel free to keep glaring at people who tell you to "smile more" in real life. Just take note — science has shown that smiling is the most attractive facial expression when you’re looking at the camera.
Plus, smiling is contagious. Your smile automatically makes other people feel good, which is a great place to start when you're hoping to make a connection.
Generally, the best smile to use is one that shows some teeth, so skip that sly, closed-mouth smirk. That being said, you do you. At the end of the day, you'll always look your best when you're the most comfortable.
Choose the Dating App for People Who Want Kids or Have Kids
One more way to make your online dating pics stand out? Choose free dating apps tailored to your interests. For example, if you have kids, try dating a like heybaby where everyone either wants kids or has kids. Putting yourself out there with others who are in the same boat will give you the freedom to be 100% yourself. Or 99% yourself as we all have 1 or 2% we could probably keep to ourselves.
We created heybaby as a dating app for people who want kids or have kids to make it easier for like-minded parents and future parents to find each other. When you’re here, you don’t have to fret about when to bring up the subject of kids because it’s already a guarantee that everyone you meet from heybaby is on the same page. Skip the hassle and start finding exciting potential for lasting partnerships today. Ok, that last line seemed a bit heavy-handed from a marketing standpoint. Let’s just say this. Try the heybaby app because it’s pretty darn good and we think you’ll like it. Thanks for reading.
