Your main photograph is your shop window on a dating site. If you get it wrong, people won’t even look at your profile.
Here are some to avoid:
1. The cutout
These are photos with your ex when you can see an arm or hand or hair of another person. Or perhaps it’s a recent breakup and this person is on the rebound.
Is the message here “Others find me datable”?
2. The selfie
They never look good. The arm stretch technique is my pet peeve for dating photographs. This could be interpreted that this person has no friends. There is no reason why anyone cannot get another person to take a photograph of them.
I know some people find having their photo taken uncomfortable. However, you just need to get on with it. Maybe make a joke in your profile about it if you don’t feel you are captured at your best in photographs.
3. With children
Personally, I think it’s careless for people to put photographs of children on the World Wide Web.
In my opinion, this should be avoided for the child’s safety, and the same goes for Facebook and any other public websites/accounts that are left open.
4. Nights out
Drunk photos with pints of beer and cocktails on stag/hen nights or boys/girls nights out – one of the lads will probably always put his friends first and for the female counterpart “good time girl.”
5. Professional
They are not realistic photos and are often airbrushed. This person could be taking things a little bit too seriously. Professional photos can also be intimidating.
“People actually want
to see what you look like.”
6. Dated photo not showing true age or weight
Why do people set themselves up for disappointment? Be proud of who you are.
Don’t try and sell yourself as something/someone you are not, as it will only end up with you reinforcing the negative view you have about yourself when you get rejected.
Not everyone wants a stick-thin young model, so be proud of who you are and make sure your photos show people what they will see if you turn up for a date.
However, if you are using inaccurate photos, then this could be because you are not happy with yourself. If so, this highlights that you aren’t in the right place to be dating anyway. Dealing with your personal issues would be a good place to start.
7. Sunglasses or hats
They obscure your face! Hiding behind glasses can be interpreted that this person isn’t trustworthy, as they are trying to hide.
The eyes being the window to the soul, people want to see them.
8. Photos of other people
Make sure they are of you! Shockingly, people do actually post photographs of someone else, once again ending up with consistently never getting a second date.
9. Far away and blurred photos
People actually want to see what you look like, so if you want to put a photograph in there with your favorite place in the background, make sure it isn’t your main photo and there are photos where people can see what you look like up close.
To use a blurred photo would suggest laziness or trying to hide something.
10. Cars and bikes
These can be off-putting, as some people who have a passion for cars and bikes will always have their piece of metal as their first love and you’ll always be second best.
