Before you take a photo for your online dating profile picture, listen to these tips…

We’re all a little self-conscious about the way we look. That’s why so many of us hesitate before adding photos to our online dating profiles. Unfortunately, ads without photos perform far worse than do others. Here are some tips for your online dating profile picture.

First, don’t rely on just one photo. Add several pictures of yourself. Include one professional headshot to anchor your profile. Then includes several other shots of you, whether they be posed or candid. The key is to add enough photos to provide an accurate picture of yourself.

Make sure all of the photos you submit are well lit and centered. You don’t want to cut off the top of your head or have shadows covering your face. Try to avoid such photo mistakes as red eyes or glare, too.

Make sure, too, that all of the photos show yourself off to your best ability. We’ve all seen photos in which we look either heavier or thinner than we actually are. Don’t choose those photos that make you look heavier, grumpier or more disheveled than you normally are.

Smile in your photos, too. Nothing lights up a face like a nice smile. It also shows off your inner warmth. A frowning photo will do nothing but repel viewers of your online dating portfolio. And that, certainly, isn’t your goal.

Avoid group photos, too. The fact that you have friends and family members who like you is a positive. But when viewers come to your online dating portfolio, they want to know what you look like. They also don’t want to spend time squinting at photos to decipher who in them is actually you.

Make sure that you’re dressed properly in all of your photos. Don’t submit any photos that are too risqu?. And don’t submit photos that show you in dumpy or frumpy clothing. Remember, the goal of your photos is to showcase you in your best light, not your worst!

Don’t fear photos. It’s best to be honest and show the world exactly who you are and what you look like. It’s best to weed out those people who don’t like your looks, anyway. Remember, if they don’t like what you look like in your photos, they probably won’t like what you look like in person.

With the right photos – professional, well-lit and friendly – you can help set your online dating profile apart from the rest. You’ll be competing with hundreds of other online profiles on most dating sites. Use these tips for your online dating profile picture and you’ll be happy with the results.