Your Online Dating Photo

DO Use a Recent Picture

Misrepresenting yourself with younger pictures is a tactic some use in the online dating game to get ahead, but if you just don't look that way anymore, you run the risk of alienating a potential first date. Most of the time, the let-down has nothing to do with whether you are attractive, fit, or a snappy dresser; it has much more to do with the appearance of being sneaky or dishonest in representing yourself. Not the best way to start things off! Research plenty of online dating tips,and you'll find that honesty is one of the highest ranking qualities many are looking for in a potential online relationship. When was the last time you heard of someone writing an online dating profile reading "Seeking dishonest jerk to share uncomfortable silences, lack of trust, and shallow conversation"?

DON'T: Use a Photo That Includes Other People

Why do people post online dating photos with their girlfriends or drinking buddies in them? Not only is this very confusing, but if your friends are more ruggedly handsome than you, people viewing your ad may be attracted to the fellow standing next to you instead! Don't provide your own competition; use a standalone shot and let your profile readers see the glory that is you.

DO Be Discreet

Sometimes you just have to leave something to the imagination. How many times have you seen a woman's online ad featuring a full-on cleavage shot or full-frontal nudity and wondered "What was she thinking?" Many people view the more exhibitionist approach as a way to signal a lack of inhibitions, but there are just as many people reading your ad who will interpret this as an invitation for a one-night roll in the hay. If you want to keep the caveman factor to a minimum, keep it covered. This is a problem for some men as well who think it's a good idea to post their no-shirt shots. While some find this attractive, once again, there's an equal number of perfectly nice available women out there rolling their eyes at the topless guy shots.

DON'T Use a Poor Quality Picture

Aesthetic reasons aside, using a lousy shot gives the impression that you either don't care much about your appearance, or you don't take the people reading your ad very seriously. Get a friend to help you take a picture or have one professionally taken.

DO Dress To Impress

If you are a casual dresser and seeking the same, make sure your photo reflects your style. If you like to wear a suit and tie, and seek someone who is equally fashion-conscious, let an ad responder know what to expect! You can dress yourself up or down, so long as you spell out what you really want in the ad, and don't go too far to one extreme or the other. Anyone with lots of tatoos seeking the same should show off the body art! Same goes for piercings, punky hair colors and attraction to a particular type of fashion. If you want to date people who are into the same styles as you, show off your wardrobe and don't be afraid to let people see how different or stylish you may be--you are, after all, advertising yourself to people who may be seeking just what you present.

DO Experiment With Your Online Dating Photo

There are many ways you can approach your online dating photo-classy, punky, casual, or alluring. How you eventually decide to post is up to you, but don't let a lack of responses get you down if the first few weeks go by with no replies. Experiment with a variety of pictures and see what happens! You have an endless number of choices available, try a little of everything--you may be surprised at the results.