Photos are usually the first thing people look at on a dating profile. You don’t need professional pictures or to look like a model. You need photos that are recent, clear and genuinely you. Here’s what works.
The short answer
- Use four to six recent photos, ideally from the last year.
- Include a clear, smiling face photo as your main picture.
- Add a full-length photo and one or two of you doing things you enjoy.
- Natural daylight is the easiest way to look your best.
- Avoid sunglasses, group shots, heavy filters and photos with an ex cropped out.
Why honest photos matter
It can be tempting to use a favourite photo from ten years ago. But if someone meets you and you look noticeably different, the date starts with disappointment, however lovely you are. Recent photos mean people who are attracted to your profile are attracted to you. That makes first dates far more relaxed.
The photos to include
1. A clear face photo (your main picture)
Head and shoulders, looking at the camera, with a natural smile. No sunglasses or hat. This is the photo most people will judge first.
2. A full-length photo
This helps people get a realistic sense of you. It doesn’t need to be posed: a relaxed photo on a walk or at an event works well.
3. Doing something you enjoy
Gardening, walking the dog, cooking, on holiday, playing an instrument. These photos give people something to ask about.
4. A social or “real life” photo
You at a family wedding, with friends (make sure it’s clear which one is you), or at a favourite place.
How to take good photos yourself
- Use daylight. Stand facing a window or go outside on a bright, overcast day. Harsh midday sun and dim indoor lighting are least flattering.
- Hold the camera at eye level or slightly above. Or ask a friend to take them.
- Take lots. Then choose the few you like best.
- Relax. Think of something that makes you smile, or chat to whoever is taking the photo.
- Wear something you feel good in. Plain colours tend to work better than busy patterns.
- Check the background. A tidy room or a nice outdoor setting helps.
Mistakes to avoid
- Old photos, or ones that no longer look like you.
- Sunglasses in most or all photos.
- Group photos where it’s hard to tell who you are, especially as your main picture.
- An ex cropped out. An arm around your shoulder tells its own story.
- Heavy filters or editing.
- Photos with children or grandchildren. Lovely for you, but best kept private for their safety.
- Only selfies. Include at least one taken by someone else.
- Anything that reveals where you live, such as your house number or car registration.
Should you pay for a professional photographer?
It’s not necessary, but some people find it helps their confidence. If you do, ask for natural, relaxed photos in everyday settings, not studio portraits.
A note on safety
Scammers sometimes steal photos from social media. You can check whether your own photos appear elsewhere online using a reverse image search such as Google Lens. It’s also worth doing the same with photos of people you’re chatting to. See how to spot a romance scam on WhatsApp.
Next: how to write a dating profile after 50, with examples for men and women.