Between (deep breath) Tinder, Bumble, OKCupid, Grindr, Match.com, Hinge and probably several other apps we’ve never heard of, knowing how to take a good photo for dating apps has never been more important. The problem is, even though we’re a good decade into the Tinder revolution, many people still thwart their own chances of finding love – of the lifetime or one-night-only variety – by posting profile pictures that are unflattering (or worse).
Common dating app picture mistakes include men who start off with their torso over their face; people who post pictures with friends who could all be them (as if potential dates are interested in some sort of human raffle); people don’t even use pictures of their faces at all. While, for some communities, privacy is vitally important, for the majority of people these choices are made out of incompetence rather than out of a need to keep themselves safe.
“But I only have pictures with mates,” I hear you cry. “I don’t like talking selfies! I don’t want to ask my friends to take a few pics of me down the pub!” Well, guess what, that sort of apathy isn’t going to help you find any fish in any sea. We spoke to some photographers who make their money taking good Tinder pictures for other people – if that market isn’t a sign of how bad most people are, I don’t know what is – about how to absolutely smash your dating profile gallery.
1. Avoid group shots
The one truly universal response: do not hide in a crowd. You’re wasting a valuable photo.
“Everyone has them – so you won’t stand out – they’re usually rubbish quality and, more crucially, you’re making women work to find you in the shot,” says Saskia Nelson, the head of creative at Hey Saturday. “Not only that, you’re now adding your friends into the mix. They may either be more attracted to one of your mates or they may decide they don’t like the look of them. Neither of those options is going to win you a date.”
Professional photographer Charlie Grosso also says that you should never include a photo with more than four people in it. “This isn’t a police line-up. A prospective date shouldn’t have to work so hard to figure out which one they are.”
2. Let your pictures do the talking about the person you are
While professional Tinder photographer Jordan Shields also says to avoid group shots, he suggests you replace them with photos where you’re doing activities “that perhaps the other person could see themselves doing with you. Sell yourself as the dream guy that someone wants to spend time with, [doing] whatever it is you do.”
Grosso agrees with including your activities in a profile, but says to make sure you don’t fall into Tinder tropes. “The men want to be seen as fun, fit, well-travelled, established, etc. That translates into pictures of them on the ski slopes, Machu Picchu, fishing, at weddings in a giant group shot, out with friends drinking,” she explains. “It’s so generic that it doesn’t stand out. After all, who doesn’t like good food and traveling to exotic locations?! None of these images offer an entry point for conversation.”
