The fabulous snapshot

BAILA LAZARUS

Well, we've reached the moment of truth. After writing a profile and choosing a site, it's now that dreaded instant when you have to choose a photo to upload into your profile.

Unfortunately, it seems that no matter what photo you drag out of a drawer or photo album, download off your digital camera or have sent to you by a willing friend from their wedding in August when you looked stunning in that fuchsia outfit – none seems to be exactly what you want for an online dating profile. What works? What will send potential suitors running for cover?

Do not underestimate the importance of a photo. Whether or not you believe it to be a superficial way of determining attraction, people will want to see one, and about 50 per cent of those browsing will not even stop at a profile that doesn't have a photo. They want to get some idea of what you look like, and will be suspicious or confused as to why someone would not have a picture up. If you feel you are not photogenic, you can try to get away without one on your profile, but be prepared to provide something if someone wants to meet you.

So, without further ado, the dos and don'ts:

• If you don't have many photos to choose from, get a camera, ask a friend to help you or set the camera on auto-timer, and spend half a day on a weekend taking photos in different places – a balcony, a park, the beach, the seawall. Putting effort into your photos is as important as putting effort into your profile.

• A good photographer's trick is to take one shot with the flash off and another, of the same picture, with the flash on – even outside. On sunny days, it will get rid of shadows and, on grey days, it will lighten up your face.

• If you can, have at least three photos – one nice headshot, one that's more casual (perhaps at a party or doing something sporty) and one where you're dressed up.

• Go for quality over quantity. It doesn't matter how much you love a picture, if it doesn't have a high enough resolution, it will look bad on the site and won't add to your profile. After you've uploaded a photo, always check to see what it looks like on your profile. Almost every dating site will have a link somewhere that says "edit profile" or "view profile," which will enable you to see how your profile looks to others.

• If you are able to have one "main" picture, do not choose one where you are standing on a hiking trail in the distance and you are two millimetres high. Use that for a secondary picture and, instead, put a nice headshot as your main image.

• Smile, smile, smile. People look better when they look happy. Trying to look serious and mysterious might be appropriate if you're applying for an acting role in 24, but not for your profile.

• No pictures of you with your tongue sticking out or drunk wearing a funny hat. They may seem humorous to you, but that's because you know the context in which they were taken.

• Don't put up pictures taken on your summer vacation seven years ago (unless you look exactly the same, or better).

• If your best shot is with an ex, take them out of the photo. It's really distracting and might cause viewers to wonder if they measure up.

• If you are physically attractive and want to show that off, don't take a picture of yourself in underwear sitting on your bed; go to a beach and take a picture in your bathing suit. But beware: what you think is a hot body, may not be. Show it to your friends of the opposite sex and get their opinion.

Baila Lazarus is a freelance writer, photographer and illustrator living in Vancouver. Until the end of February, for a donation to the Alzheimer's Society, she will take your profile photo or assist you in improving any photos that you have. Visit www.tastierdates.com for more information.

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