When it comes to taking pictures, there are dozens of rules to follow if you are set to make a perfect shot. Regardless of what your lens is aimed at, there are so many things to consider, from equipment to lightning and setting. Of course, not everyone wants to become a professional in photography, but if you want to learn some tricks on how to take a perfect picture of yourself for a dating profile, we have got you covered!
1. Know the required technical parameters of the pic
First things first, determine what the requirements for the photos are. Usually, on an average matchmaking website, these are quite low; the minimum is about 360×360 pixels. The reason for this is the fact that developers strive to adjust their platform to any user, making it as convenient as possible for everyone. So even if you have a smartphone with a moderate quality camera at your disposal, you can definitely get a pass with your selfie. On the other hand, keep in mind that photos that are too large cannot be uploaded to most sites. Thus, the maximum allowed image size is approximately 10-15 megabytes.
2. Mind your “target audience”
For example, if you are a young male seeking a cougar, what would your perfect dating profile picture look like? Cougar is considered a hot, fit, and sexually active woman over 40 who likes dating younger men, so that’s the starting point. If you want to attract the attention of such a lady, the picture must be at least of decent quality and show your best features.
If you hit the gym and take good care of your body, take a half-length photo showing off your abs (taking a selfie when lifting weights is also a pretty good idea). If you have an attractive appearance, use that to your advantage, too. Flirt with the camera, smile or wink; imagine that you are already trying to get that woman to want you. Cougars love a confident man with a handsome face and body, so keep that in mind.
3. Find a tripod or ask a friend for assistance
Whatever one may say, the quality of a photo plays a huge role. No matter the purpose you’re taking a picture – to find a hookup with a hottie or meet a future spouse – you’ll have to make an effort. Selfies are good, but a full-length picture in a beautiful setting is much better. You have a few options available at this point – ask a friend to take a photo of you, or, if you are camera-shy, purchase a tripod and try taking some pics at home. Just make sure to clean the room beforehand; a messy background will distract the attention and become a huge turn-off for potential matches.
4. Use the appropriate lens or portrait mode
For those taking a serious approach to the subject of making a really good photo for their dating profile, we advise buying a camera and choosing the lens that will suit the purpose. Thus, if you are a newbie, go for those lenses that don’t require much technical knowledge and skill. The best pick could be the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, as it has everything an average person might need. Apart from being relatively cheap, using it, you can take beautiful headshots, medium shots, and even take pics of small groups of people (for example, with friends or family). Install a camera and hit them poses until you get the best shot!
5. Choose natural poses
Talking about hitting poses… you definitely don’t want to look awkward on the profile pic. A strained smile and an unnatural pose can repel a potential date even more than a messy background. This means that if you are not used to posing in front of a camera, you should learn the basics first.
- Straight-up shots with a dry wit look sterile and can turn off people, so never do that.
- Avoid taking a close-up of your face, too; you’ll end up looking much older than you really are.
- If you’re unsure of the right angle, try using a guide that shows the “season” of your face and how your hair and skin tone will look better.
There are also tons of tutorials on the internet teaching how to look best in a picture, so don’t forget to make use of them as well! Or scroll some pictures of other users on the site, pick those that caught your eye, and try to recreate them. A little practice and, boom!
6. Do not over-edit your image
People always have that urge to mask a pimple on the cheek or add some color to a selfie. Some even manage to make their breasts or bums look bigger, which is crazy! But let’s be honest, who are they trying to fool with these manipulations?
Over-editing your photo won’t make you look better; quite the opposite. Adding too much contrast or brightness might ruin even the most gorgeous picture. And we all have bad skin or not-so-perfect bodies; our eyes are not that bright in real life, and our hair might seem dull. That’s perfectly fine, too! We’re all humans, after all, and honesty is much more valuable than perfect skin.
Learning how to take good pictures and edit them takes practice, even if you don’t strive for perfection. Arm yourself with a decent camera, try some poses, and soon, you’ll be able to make your dating profile glow!
