How to Choose the Right Photos for Dating Apps
Dating Profile Tips from a Professional Las Vegas Photographer:
Struggling to get matches on dating apps? The truth is, it’s not about being a model: It’s about using photos that work. As a Las Vegas dating app photographer, I help people show up with confidence in photos that turn left swipes to matches. You’re probably not using pro photos for your dating apps so I want to cover what could be holding you back with your existing photos.
Check with this guide as often as you’d like to help you decide if any photos you already have are going to work for your dating profiles or not.
Ready To Knock the Dust Off Your Dating app Profile?
Let’s break down five key things to look for in your current photos. These tips can help you choose images that stand out – but let’s be real: a truly right swipe worthy dating profile takes more than a few quick fixes. (More on that later)
If you want to give your dating app presence a serious upgrade, nothing beats a professional shoot.
Still, this guide will help you make the most of the photos you already have.
Location Is Part Of The Message
Where the photos you have were taken will tell a story. Do they say “I’m interesting & dateable,” or “I took this in my bathroom real quick”? You definitely want to avoid using any photos like these:
Car selfies – These often scream “last-minute” or “I don’t put much effort into dating.” Plus, the lighting is usually terrible and the angles distort your face.
You in front of a blank wall – A grim blank wall behind you says nothing about who you are. It’s visually flat and doesn’t invite curiosity.
You in your messy home – Dirty dishes, poor lighting, and distracting backgrounds don’t help your cause. It gives the impression of disorganization or apathy.
Your bathroom selfie – The worst offender. Delete immediately. Nobody wants to see your toothpaste tube or shower curtain. It’s a setting associated with privacy, not dating.
If you at least have pics of yourself out in the world doing stuff, those would be a better option than any of the above. But if all you have are pics that fit the above descriptions (or you’re just not sure) you definitely could use a photoshoot.
I took this photo in a parking garage in front of a mural by Shepard Fairey. Nothing fancy, just well-composed and intentional.
If Your Photos Are Dark or Grainy,
Avoid Using Them
Lighting is so vital in photography this subject can (and probably will in the future) be its own subject for a blog post.
I see a lot of guys using pics that are so poorly lit they are well, kinda scary. At the very least You need to use photos where your face clearly visible & lit. So when in doubt, choose the photos that are more well lit.
And low light with cellphones means high graininess. It may not be intentional, but really grainy images worsen how you look.
I wrote a blog showing the difference between a
phone & a real camera, find it here.
Choose Photos Where You’re Dressed Well
It’s similar to the above point about blank walls… What you wear affects how people perceive you. So throwing that one pic you have in a T and basketball shorts on to your profile is not gonna help.
What I’ll tell clients when I’m planning a shoot is to “wear what you’d wear on a date” and I think the same applies here; the idea is that you want to give people an idea of what to expect if you ever meet.
When a recent client booked me for his dating app photos, he admitted his wardrobe hadn’t been updated in years. He was OK with buying some new clothes for the shoot so I suggested he buy a blazer, a dark pair of jeans, and a couple of solid color button downs. He took my advice, and when he showed up on shoot day, the difference was night and day.
This resulted in more matches & also some new found confidence. Sometimes it’s not just the photos that matter, all of it comes together to help step into a version of yourself you didn’t realize was waiting there all along.
And don’t get me wrong, you don’t only have to wear business casual clothes. Just don’t use photos where the outfits may signal some red flags. If clothes really aren’t your thing, I suggest referring to online resources to help you find your style.
Avoid Body Language Mistakes In Your Photos
Sometimes, in situations where someone takes your photo, it might have a few of the above criteria going for it. But If your body language is off, it’ll make the photo pretty much useless for dating apps.
Avoid choosing photos where you are slouching & have folded arms. You don’t want closed off body language that could imply negativity.
Don’t use photos where you are visibly nervous our tense. This applies to more than just your face. Stiff posture can broadcast ‘I’m not confident’ almost as clearly as your facial expression.
And lastly I’d recommend not using any novelty photos, and by that what I mean is photos with off putting, negative or overly goofy actions. So no flipping the bird or other odd gestures.
Contact me for photos that actually help you get matches.
Book a Las Vegas shoot for improved dating photos.
Whatever Dating Apps You Use,
Use Photos That Get The Crop Right
Dating apps crops photos in different formats, but this isn’t too complex. Just be sure important aspects (like your face!) of photos might be cut out of certain photos that don’t match tinder’s format.
Group pictures can be used on dating apps, but they can become chaotic & make it hard to see you, if they are cropped or zoomed in the wrong way. Be sure you’re not way in the back, and never use them as your first photo; Dating apps aren’t guessing games.
Slightly circling back to tip #1, you don’t want to use your photos that are really zoomed out.
The background should say something about you, but not be the center of attention.
Now that you know what not to use…
The truth is, even if your photos aren’t immediate dealbreakers, that doesn’t mean they stand out. “Good enough” won’t cut it here. Your photos could hit all the marks above, but this guide was mainly made to help you filter out what photos you shouldn’t use.
If you compare getting matches to school grades, you can pass a class with a C minus. But on dating apps, it’s pass / fail. A C minus level photo performs just as poorly as an F. If it doesn’t spark interest instantly, it’s getting swiped left just the same. You might get some matches using what photos you have, but really they don’t compare to how well professional photos work.
You’ve read about what doesn’t work, now let’s take some action & build a profile that gets you results. I specialize in creating sharp, confident dating photos that get more matches and make people want to know more.
If you’re tired of being overlooked and are serious about improving your matches, don’t leave it to chance. Contact me thru IG or FB @flashqbe when you’re in Vegas, and let’s elevate your dating profile into your best first impression.