By now you’ve probably read one of our previous blog posts 7 ReasonsWhy Your Dating Profile is The Worst. If this post hit a little too close to home, I’m here to help you upgrade your online dating profile from douche-bag status to full inbox status. In this post I’ll be focusing on your profile pic. When you’re on the prowl to meet singles online, the easiest way to stand out on a website with millions of members is to have a kick ass profile picture. Online dating success rates more than double when your profile is complete with a great photo.  It’s the first thing that people will see about you, and if it’s done right, it will encourage sexy singles to stop scrolling and click on you.

How to Nail Your Profile Picture

1. Get out of the Washroom

We’ve seen them too many times, and personally I’ve laughed each time. Unless your advertising for the company who made your toilet, or showing off your new smartphone, there is absolutely no reason for you to take pictures in a washroom mirror. Or in the mirror of your messy bedroom. Find a location that speaks to your personality, perhaps your favourite coffee shop, park, or even your home kitchen. If you’re serious about meeting single men or women, whatever you do, make sure you tidy up first!

2. Stop With the #ShamelessSelfie

Now that you’re no longer in front of a mirror, hand the camera over to someone else. You can even set the self time while resting it on a tripod. Just don’t hold it over your head, while your head tilted back with duck lips. We all know the secret behind the high camera angle. The higher the angel the more flattering the picture. We get it. Most online dating profiles have the quintessential over the head, #shamelessselfie. But there has got to be an easier way to look good without having an image eerily close to your face with half of your arm cut off. Hand over that damn camera.

3. Get the Lighting Right

One of the easiest ways to make a connection with local singles on your online dating profile is by having a well lit photo that stands out amongst dark, shadowy-washroom selfies. The easiest way to capture your best angle is by utilizing natural lighting. Face the nearest window, and take your images during the daytime. Shadows create unflattering effects that are magnified in images.

4. Play with Angles

Don’t be afraid to move around when taking your photos.  Everyone has a good side. Try having some hair in your face (sex hair never hurt anyone). Try brushing the hair aside. As I mentioned before, the higher the angle more flattering the angle will be. But be mindful of not going too high, it will make you look like a lot short (unless of course, that’s what you’re going for).

5. You’re Trying Too Damn Hard

Looking through some online dating profiles examples for men I noticed a pattern: topless, topless in the mirror, topless in the gym, topless at the gym, topless eating cereal (really?). My favourite had to be a photos of a pretty attractive guy casually flexing his arms while driving …topless. The of course we can’t forget the ladies. Looking through some online dating profiles for woman I notice a whole lot of back arching. Arching in front of the mirror, arching on the bed, arching on the kitchen sink, arching on the hood of an old beat up car? Try to act natural! I don’t mean start posing like a school girl when her crush walks into the room, I mean actually just be yourself (unless yourself is someone who enjoys arching, while topless, in public places).

Look out for more tips on how to heighten your online dating profile coming soon!