Photographer Karen Vaisman Explains the Power of a Great Dating App Profile Pic

The Short Version: A great profile is the first step in online dating success, but creating a profile can be an overwhelming task. Singles have to collect great photographs, answer some pretty deep prompts, and convey their personality within specific limits. Professional photographer Karen Vaisman works with singles to take captivating profile photos to create amazing online dating profiles. She talked to us about the best approach to photos and online dating profiles, along with some tips for navigating the ups and downs of online dating.

The best dating app profile shows off your personality, and there’s no one right way to express yourself. But there are certainly still a few rules of engagement, especially if you want your profile to pique the interest of others and get you matches.

There is an art to a great dating app profile, and mastering that art can have a huge positive impact on your dating game. One of the foundations of a stand-out profile is great photos.

Exclusively using group photos, blurry pics, or photos that don’t clearly show the face are common profile missteps. These pitfalls distract other users from the most important aspect of your dating app profile – you – and can stop potential connection before it even gets the chance to spark.

Karen Vaisman is a professional photographer and Master Retouch Artist based in Los Angeles. Karen works with a variety of clients, from corporate professionals to hopeful singles looking for profile photos. Her work with singles focuses on storytelling and helping singles translate their personalities and interests through their photos.

Karen discussed which photos make for successful dating profiles and gave singles some tips for navigating every step of the online dating journey, from creating a profile to going on a date. It can be overwhelming to get started with online dating, but when you see a profile as an opportunity to present the best version of yourself, your mindset could improve.

Dating app profile pictures can tell other users about who you are and what you’re looking for. When a profile looks careless or messy, it’s often an immediate red flag, and most users will swipe left right away. “Oftentimes, people will take big group photos, and nobody can tell which one they are,” Karen said.

Profiles with exclusively group photos are far distracting and confusing to other users, as are profiles with photos that send mixed messages. “It’s important to have photos that clearly show your entire smiling face. Often, you’ll see profile photos where you can’t see the person’s face behind a hat or sunglasses, which comes across as less trustworthy,” Karen said.

“It helps you stand out when you use profile photos to tell a story. If you’re family-oriented, including a photo with your mom or dad can say a lot about your personality,” Karen said. “Including pictures with pets shows that you’re both caring and responsible, and it can be a great conversation starter.”

Profile pictures make the first impression, so they should include references to what is most important to you. Karen suggested including elements of your favorite hobbies, social activities, and interests. “I always ask what they like to do and try to incorporate those aspects of their personality into the photoshoot to help them attract a like-minded match,” she said.

A great profile stands out, but not so much that it feels unapproachable. “On dating apps, everybody is swiping at a furious pace,” Karen said. “You have to get people’s attention. That’s why I like to use the color red– either wearing it or using a red background.”

Karen continued, “Red works like a stop sign. It subliminally stops the eye in a sea of dating photos.” She also encouraged singles to bridge the gap between their online and offline appearances.

“Another thing that you can do is wear the outfit you were wearing in the picture when you go on a first date with that person,” Karen suggested. “It’s how you appealed to them the first time, so you go on the date wearing the same thing, and it shows you’re real.”

Facial expression is a very important aspect of a profile photo. “If you want to come across as very approachable, you need photos where you’re laughing, having a good time, looking like an easy person to get to know, with great eye contact,” Karen said.

Karen said singles should take photos that give a welcoming and warm impression. Online dating is intimidating for many people, and a friendly-looking profile can go a long way.

While online dating can be intimidating, a positive mindset can go a long way toward ensuring a good experience. You’ll have a different perspective when you see a dating profile as an opportunity to show the world what makes you great. 

Along with allowing the best of your personality to shine through, Karen emphasized choosing high-quality and well-lit photographs. “When you think about the size of the photo, especially when people are on an app swiping, it’s very small,” she said. “The quality of the picture will help it pop off the screen.”

Karen said low-resolution photos don’t stand out and can easily get lost in the sea of profiles. “Pictures that you took on a cell phone often look grainy, and it’s hard to see the details. But if you have something that’s really crisp and sharp, or that’s taken with a professional camera with professional lighting, it’ll pop off the screen.”

Singles can ask friends or family for help with photos and make a fun outing of the day. When in doubt about profile pics, Karen said it’s always a good move to go with a professional photographer, specifically one who specializes in helping singles with online profiles.

“A skilled photographer brings out the best of you and your natural features,” Karen said. “Seeming comfortable, and natural, and secure in your own skin– confidence– is what you want your photographer to draw out of you.”