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10 dos and donts for your dating profile photos
We're all guilty of editing and filtering and editing and filtering and editing again.
I'm really feeling this selfie of mine, but I have never looked the way I look in that picture — not even the day it was taken, honestly. It definitely isn't a totally realistic photo of me.
And according to Davis, that's all because of the angle.
A photo like this one — snapped off the cuff and not edited — will show potential dates what I actually look like, rather than my idealized fun house-selfie version of my face.
"As a bonus, to the match who views it, it will feel like he or she is sitting across the table from you just as might on a date," Davis said.
There's nothing wrong with a little subliminal messaging!
It's tempting to only post photos from the neck up, but Davis said this is a no-no. Lots of people care about their potential dates' body type.
"If you only focus on photos from the waist up, it can seem like a lie of omission," Davis said.
This photo of Tech Insider deputy tech editor Steve Kovach is great and could definitely be included on his profile.
But if he only has pictures like that one, it might leave potential dates confused about what he actually looks like in person.
This photo of Steve better shows dates how he looks.
"You need to represent all of you in your profile, and that means all of your bod, too," Davis said. "Uploading a full body photo is a must."
Scrolling through a bunch of photos that don't show someone's entire body can throw someone off. Even if your full-body photo isn't that detailed or perfectly shot, throw it in.
This photo was taken on the best hair day of my life. I love it.
The only issue: that amazing hair day took place almost 5 years ago. As much as I'd love to put it on my dating profile, Davis says I should avoid posting it.
"Your photos should represent the real-time you," Davis said. "In a world where our camera lives in our pocket and we're snapping pics weekly, there is no excuse for having old photos."
This photo isn't quite as flattering, but at least it's closer to the way I look like now.
"Any that don't look like you today or are more than a year old should be deleted," Davis said.
Plus, it's not edited!
It's tempting to post photos of special events after you've had your hair and makeup done and your outfit tailored.
But according to Davis, if your profile solely includes photos of yourself as a bridesmaid or groomsman, this could boost your date's expectations a little too much.
"For women, this sometimes manifests itself via makeup," Davis said. "If you can't recreate a look [on your own], you shouldn't post it."
The above photo of TI reporter Megan Willett is closer to what she looks like on a day-to-day basis. And as a bonus, it really lets her personality shine through.
"You want your photos to look the way you look on a first date," Davis said. Not many first Tinder dates are black-tie.
Who's supposed to be the star of this photo? That would be Steve. But you'd never know it from this picture.
"No one should have to play Where's Waldo when viewing your profile," Davis said.
There's Steve!
Group pics are a big fat "never," in Davis' words.
"I know that's contrary to what a lot of people are doing but you have someone's attention for only a few seconds so it's best to keep the focus on you," she said.
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