15 dating profile photo ideas that actually get matches

A good dating profile is a set of photos, not one. Lead with a clear, smiling photo of your face, then add a full-body shot, something you love doing, and a photo with friends. Natural light, a real smile and no sunglasses in the first photo matter more than any filter.

The photo mix

1. A clear face photo. Smiling, eye contact, good light. This is your lead.
2. A full-body photo. Honest and relaxed.
3. A hobby photo. Something that starts a conversation.
4. A social photo. With friends, where you are easy to spot.
5. A travel or place photo. Somewhere you love.
6. A candid photo. Laughing, mid-moment.

Face photos

1. Window light portrait at 2x. Soft light, plain background, a real smile. The Close Up guide frames it.

2. Outdoor golden hour. Warm light, trees blurred behind.

3. At a café table. Coffee in hand, mid-laugh.

Full body

4. Walking down a street. Shot from a few metres away at 1.5x.

5. Leaning on a wall. Relaxed, hands in pockets or holding a drink.

Hobbies

6. Cooking. In the kitchen, mid-stir.

7. Playing music.

8. Hiking. At the top, the view behind. Keep yourself big enough to see.

9. Sport. Climbing, surfing, running, dancing.

10. With your dog.

11. Reading at a bookshop.

Social and travel

12. With friends at dinner. You in the middle, clearly the focus.

13. At a wedding or event, dressed up.

14. Travel portrait. You small in the bottom third and the place behind, but not so small you disappear. The Side Chick guide puts you off-centre with the scene telling the story.

15. A candid laugh. Ask a friend to make you laugh.

What to avoid

• Sunglasses or hats in your first photo.
• Group photos first, where nobody knows which one is you.
• Heavy filters.
• Only selfies from below.
• Photos with exes cropped out.
• Old photos. Use photos from the last year.

How to take them yourself

• Ask a friend and spend 30 minutes walking around your neighbourhood.
• Or use a tripod and the timer, and move between shots.
• 2x zoom for portraits, golden hour for warm light.
• Take lots, pick the six best.

Related: profile picture ideas.

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