5 Ways to Make Your Profile Photos Pop

Sometimes it seems like all the time you spend on CatholicMatch is in vain.

You send out messages, but no one responds. You tweak your profile, highlighting all those fun days you spend hiking, at evening bonfires, and taking afternoon walks with your adorable puppy. Is anyone even reading? 

Not always. The truth is, people often judge you by your photos before reading a single word! But while it sounds shallow, not everyone turns away because they're just looking for the hottest single on the web. Most of the time, your potential date isn’t responding to your message or reading your profile because your photos are making it harder for them to actually see you!

Imagine you get a message from someone. He sounds really nice, but when you click over to his profile, the first image is blurry, dark, and hard to see. He looks more like an ominous shadow against the wall than a recognizable face. It’s hard to trust someone when the only image you have of them is more of an obstruction than a revelation.  

A picture is worth a thousand words.

As unfair as it might seem, our photos often tell more about us than our words do. When those pictures don’t match the words we use to describe ourselves, it makes us seem careless, disinterested, or downright untrustworthy. For example, if your profile claims that you’re active and outdoorsy but all your photos show you lounging indoors, then you’re sending a conflicting message.

Photos don’t have to be perfect to catch someone’s eye. They just need to improve your profile, not detract from it. They can do that whether you’re a naturally photogenic person or not! In fact, good photos share certain similarities that are easy for even amateurs to incorporate.

Don’t recycle.

Keep that downloaded Facebook photo on your phone! Don’t crop, enlarge, and upload it onto CatholicMatch. Your date wants to see what you look like, but blurry, pixilated pictures only show that you’re not paying attention to the details. 

When you download photos from social media sites, they tend to be low-quality images that don’t translate well to other platforms. 

So, when you set up (or update) your profile, take a few new pictures. Invite a friend over to help and commit to spending at least an hour on the project. Pick out clothes that make you look and feel your best. You can also add in other, less structured photos—from your latest hike, your sister’s wedding, or your trip to India—but let your primary profile pictures be intentional, up to date images that show a clear, recognizable version of you.

Face the camera head-on.

You may notice that a lot of selfies are taken from above. This is because photos from above can often make us look slimmer. Unfortunately, they also make us look like we’re trying to look slimmer. The sharper the angle, the less honest the end-image appears. You’re looking for someone to form a real, in-person relationship with though, so he or she should be able to recognize you outside of photos. 

You can always add a slight angle, but don’t hold the camera so high that it hides your body’s shape. You should also avoid taking any photos from below. When you look down into the camera, the effect is almost always unflattering. Take honest photos: look confidently at the camera and allow it to show all the eclectic beauty you have to offer. 

Lighten up on the lighting. 

We all know photos that are too dark or too light aren’t ideal. But controlling the light in your photos can be a challenge. In your profile pictures, chose naturally lit photos. Make sure the light is illuminating your face and avoid backlit photos that turn you into an artsy—or ominous—shadow. 

Florescent light and flash photography are hard to handle. We all remember those awful pictures dad took on vacations, right? The ones that inevitably leave you looking like a corpse or a tomato? Take your primary profile pictures on a clear day and leave the flash photography to your dad.

Skip the filter.

I know, we all look better with a few filters on. It’s tempting to run your pictures through skin smoothing and vintage lighting filters before posting them; but resist! It’s actually easier than you’d expect to spot a filtered photograph. Once you notice the filter, it’s hard to avoid wondering what else has been altered. 

While filters are fun on social media, they’re not going to help your dating profile. Your dates want to know that you’re confident enough to share your real face, not an idealized version. Unless you’re adding in one or two beautiful black and white, or lightly edited images, keep your photos free of upgrades. Remember, beautiful, clear, honest photos stand out in a sea of filtered images. Show off your self-confidence with an unaltered profile photo.

Just be yourself.

Don’t let fears of rejection get in the way of posting exciting, real-life photos of yourself. Share those great pictures of your last hiking trip, quilting bee, or pilgrimage to Rome! While there will be people who are turned off by your fashion sense or adventurous spirit, those aren’t the people you want to build a relationship with. 

The point of making your profile pop isn’t to attract everyone, it’s to attract the one; and that one won’t reject you based on your quirks and interests. Instead, honest and attractive photos help him (or her) really see you. 

Photos that pop are photos that help you introduce yourself to the world. You’re already a fascinating, unique individual—it’s time to let the world see you!