What kinds of photos will help win over a potential partner on Pyar.com? Photo trends, like duckface and SnapChat filters, may be popular among your friends but do not improve your chances of finding love. People want authenticity and forthrightness when it comes to online dating, so your profile picture should follow suit.
On a first date, you have one minute to make a good impression. On a dating site, you possess a much shorter time frame. In lieu of a face-to-face meeting, your physical appearance influences the first impression moreso than a witty bio. You must capture the other person's attention immediately or risk losing their interest forever. For this reason, choosing the perfect profile picture should be a well thought out process.
Use these scientifically proven tips for the best profile pic:
Your natural smile
A genuine smile that displays teeth and true happiness is the key component of a great profile picture. It conveys approachability and lightheartedness. Make sure it's not tight-lipped or overly posed, or it'll have the opposite effect. Even if you think smiling causes squinty eyes and prominent wrinkles, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Researchers and professors Khalid Khan and Sameer Chaundry found that a realistic, Duchenne smile (one that engages the eye muscles) communicates more than any other facial expression.
Defined jawline
Your photo should show an accentuated jawline - a shadow line all the way around. Essentially, tilt your forehead forward and down to hide any neck fat behind the shadow created. If you're taking a selfie, position the light above your head and hold the camera slightly above the eyeline. You can also flatten and draw up the underside of your chin by pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Celebrities use this method to avoid double chins at professional photo shoots.
Squinching
PhotoFeeler, an online testing tool, allows unbiased voters to rate a user's photo for confidence, likability, and trustworthiness. Most voters consider squinched eyes both confident and comfortable but wide eyes as timid and insecure. Squinching involves narrowing your eyes - just not to the point of squinting - and is a technique used on the red carpet. Ever wonder why stars look so put together in publicity shots but much less so in paparazzi photos? They aren't squinching!
No pets
Leave Fido out of the equation. Maybe a potential match is not a big fan of animals but can be swayed eventually down the line. Your early dating experiences will not include pets, so save these pictures for after the first impression. Zoosk found that people who pose with a dog or cat in their online dating profile receive 53% fewer messages.
Other tips:
- Ask for outside opinions. We rarely pick the most flattering picture of ourselves, and a friend can really narrow down photos or give your perspective.
- Don't post photos of rare occasions. If you don't usually wear make-up, don't post one of you in heavy eyeliner. If you don't enjoy the outdoors, don't post a photo of you hiking. Your profile pictures should showcase the real you.
- Choose a photo that looks good full size or in a thumbnail form. Remember that your full-sized photo may be seen first as a thumbnail.
- Photos with your eyes obstructed by sunglasses will make you seem untrustworthy.
- If you post more than one picture, utilize a group shot with you in the middle. Khan and Chaundry's research states that "capitalising on the centre-stage effect creates a sense of importance" and implies others love being around you. If possible, use one with less attractive friends to boost yourself by comparison.