7 Irresistible Dating App Photos Making Him Swipe Right
A picture says 1000 words, and in my expert opinion, you’re only as attractive as your least attractive dating profile photo. If your profile hasn’t been updated in a year or more, and your message box is on the empty side, it’s time for a digital facelift to add a sparkle to your profile with the goal of more matches, conversations, and dates.
With that in mind, and after my viewing and selecting thousands and thousands of dating profile photos over three decades, when it comes to picking the best photos to upload to your dating app profile, you’ll need to select the pictures that show you at your best with a variety of looks and styles.
That means you need to instantly ditch the overly filtered pics, photos wearing sunglasses, and large party shots which can be confusing to a potential match. All of these will make your potential dream date easily swipe left in a digital nano-second.
So, which photos are the best to attract your ideal date? My handy list of seven profile perfect photos should minimize the confusion, and fill your date card to attract your perfect match.
Let’s Get Started…
1. Your Primary Photo
When deciding which photo to post on your dating app, think about love, not lust. A sexy photo showing cleavage for a woman’s profile is guaranteed to get likes and right swipes, but it sends a message that you might end up in the bedroom sooner rather than later.
My advice is a blend of a toned-down version of what you’d see on your Linkedin profile without appearing like you’re appealing to a corporate recruiter, combined with a romantic look gazing into your date’s eyes. How do you accomplish this? It’s as simple as thinking about blowing a kiss to the camera but holding back on that gesture.
In addition, what you wear not only matters but so does the color of your outfit. I’m a fan of wearing red, and research backs it up. According to a study from psychologists at the University of Rochester, the “red effect” showed that men found women wearing the color red more attractive and even spent more money on a date with someone whose photo featured red. Is it time to toss out the little black dress picture on your profile photo? I think so.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: Don’t use AI to generate some Instagram-worthy photos of yourself, leave them on a social media account and off of your dating profile.
2. The Full-Length Body Shot
Many online dating apps provide a field or filter where you describe your body type. Before you get ready to fib and say you’re slim or athletic because you felt that way a decade earlier, know that not every match is looking for a skinny Minnie. A curvy body is a turn-on for many. That’s why your associated photo needs to match your body type closely. If you’ve been on a fitness and diet regime and recently lost weight, mention it in your profile. You might find your date did the same, and can easily find a cheering squad online with potential matches.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: The absence of a full-length body shot always leads people to think you’re hiding something, with many automatically swiping left or clicking the X button on a profile without one.
3. The Activity Shot
Both men and women are visual, and when swiping through endless profiles, they desire to be matched with someone who is in shape and takes fitness seriously, or someone who lives a life filled with some type of physical activity outside of work.
I suggest asking a friend to snap a photo of you playing pickleball (which happens to be a top popular keyword singles are searching for), playing tennis or attending a tennis match, hiking on your favorite trail, in a pilates or yoga class, golfing, skiing, snowboarding, archery, or another sport that you’d like to share with a date.
These activity shots show that you take care of both your mind and body and also provides your date with an easy icebreaker to chat about with a first date idea suggestion. Be specific in your bio on which trails you like, how often you play a particular sport, or even state that you’re a beginner and could use a little help.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: Include in your bio if you’re a beginner in a particular sport, and you just might a date who will happily give you lessons.
4. The Hobby Shot
Having a unique hobby shows you’d make an interesting date. Not all leisure and pastimes involve a physical sport cardio workout.
Perhaps you belong to a book club, enjoy reading novels, writing essays, playing the piano or guitar, landscape photography, making pottery, or going to wine tastings or collecting fine wines. Whatever your passion is, add it to your dating profile to add intrigue and interest.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: Whatever you feel enthusiastic about doing in your spare time, add photos to show that unique side of you. In other words, show it, not just say it.
5. Your Favorite Vacation Photos
Nothing is more bonding than sharing photos of a recent or dream vacation. These photos easily spark conversations, where someone can easily ask you when you visited Katmandu or even ask you for travel advice on a spot they’ve always wanted to visit.
Did you go hiking in the Tetons? Someone might say they’ve always wanted to travel to Wyoming and that it’s on their bucket list. Snorklling in the Caymans or Tahiti? Show your beautiful underwater photos and a pic wearing your snorkeling gear.
Just returned from a cruise? Post your photo when you first went onboard the ship, or one along with the Captain at the cocktail party. Other cruise-loving matches will know you’re compatible and might share a vacation they’ve recently returned from and will want to swap stories.
Planning and reminiscing about vacations can easily form a bond. After all, that’s why bucket-lists exist.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: Play a game and ask a question in your profile to trigger a response. It’s a simple as asking, Can you guess where this photo was taken?
6. The Dressy Shot
It may feel like a cliche, but a tuxedo photo or a female photo wearing a cocktail dress is appealing. I wouldn’t recommend stating on your profile that you can go from jeans to black tie, as it’s overused, but again, show it, don’t say it.
Dressy photos typically show you looking your best because everyone primps before a big party, wedding, or cocktail reception where you’ll find cameras galore. As casual as your potential date might be during the daytime, if they have an invite to an upcoming event, you might end up to top of mind and receive an invitation to join them.
You’ll notice this even more around the winter holidays, so if you happen to have a stunning red dress, your odds of receiving photo likes, matches, and conversations will dramatically increase. The late fashion designer Bill Blass had a quote that’s perfect for the occasion. He said, “When in doubt, wear red.” I have to agree, again.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: A dressy photo is not the same as on old prom shot, so leave those pictures in your aging photo albums.
7. The Casual Photo
The polar opposite to the dressy picture is a casual photo, which is appealing to matches.
The casual photo shows your down-to-earth personality and helps matches think you could be the girl next door and not a high-maintenance person, which could result in your date running for the digital hills.
One suggestion is to select an outdoor shot where the lighting is great. A good example is posting an image sitting on a log from a hike, wearing no makeup. Another is a casual jeans and tee shirt photo lounging at home, and thinking about your dream date. These natural photos receive a lot of likes, and even more likes when you’re wearing red.
Digital Matchmaker Tip: Post a black and white photo to create an even more casual look. You can easily convert your colored photo to by using the editing features on your mobile phone.
Honorable Mention – The Puppy Love Shot
There’s a reason they say a dog is man’s best friend. If you truly have a puppy (no kittenfishing allowed), then post a photo with your four-legged friend to attract another pet lover.
Who knows? You might go on a double date with your new match and their pet to the dog park.
By using these 7-8 different photos, and remember to rotate them on your dating app profile, it will show a perfect balance and lead to developing a quicker and more meaningful connection.
At the end of the digital day, you’ll find it refreshing and flattering when your date tells you that you’re more attractive in person than in the photos that drew them to you.
If you need some extra hand-holding, reach out and let us know how we can help.