My clients and Internet Dating Workshop participants know I’m a fanatic about having good photos on profiles. It is simply, the most important thing to being successful in Internet Dating. And as nervous as clients are about getting their photo taken, once they see the new photos, it all changes. Their online responses increase and confidence is improved as they see how they really look.

Here’s Six easy and quick tips we use for great Internet Photos:

First, make sure you have photos on your profile. Internet daters are leery of profiles that don’t have photos, and so don’t miss that great man or woman finding you by not posting a photo. Research shows that men are 14 times more likely to look at a female profile with a photo, and women are 8.5 times more likely to look at a male profile. So why miss the chance to have the right person look at yours?

Next, your first photo should be a head shot. This is a clear photo of you from the chest or shoulder up. The best photo will be of you looking into the camera and smiling. Research (yes, they actually do scientific studies on this stuff) shows that people have a much better impression of people who look directly into the camera and smile. So you’ll want to skip the mysterious looking away into the distance on your Internet Dating profile.

And of course, make sure the photo is of you and not you and a bunch of friends. And if you hide their faces like in the example above, it’s distracting and takes the focus of you.  And your Internet Profile Photo is All About You!

Include 3-4 photos with at least 1 full body shot. Many are reluctant to show their body because they are uncomfortable with their size. Remember, the person is going to see you eventually. You want the person who is attracted and accepts you as you are. And who wants the anxiety and possible disappointment of meeting someone who thought you looked different?

Want to look thinner? Wear one color in the body shot as it elegonates the body and can make you look thinner. So wear a top and bottom in the same color or a solid colored dress for your full length photo.

Finally, make sure the colors are solids or thin stripes only. In photos, busy patterns can often be distracting and take the focus away from you. What  you wear should be the frame and highlight you. You want to be the focus of the viewer and not what you are wearing.

Follow these easy tips and see the difference in your photos and your confidence.