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Which pictures will convince daters to get in touch? Five singletons submitted snapshots—and our panel of photographers, experts, and others cast their vote.
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By Kimberly Dawn Neumann
 s a rule of thumb, it's better to post more than one photo, since you’ll have more chances to make a great impression and show off all the different facets of your fabulous self (Look! There you are white-water rafting! Look, there you are in black tie!). But if you only post one — or are wondering which photo to lead off with — heed this advice.
“I pick photo #2. She has a nice smile and you can see she’s in shape. Photo #1 is too dark and won’t look good online in thumbnail form. Photo #3 is a glamour shot, which never truly represents who you are.”
—Roman Griffen, author of Internet Dating: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics
“Photo #2 is my favorite, because it shows body type and style all in one. It also shows the most personality.”
—Tim Schultheis, New York photographer
“No question, it’s photo #3. She looks beautiful and it says she’s trying to make a good first impression.”
—Gerald, 25, Springfield, VA
“Photo #3! She has a wonderfully intriguing look to her, inviting and mysterious. It’s got sex appeal.”
—Anthony, 31, Tampa, FL
“I’d choose photo #2 because it isn’t a shot that’s had so much prep work that you have to wonder what the person looks like when she’s not ‘done up.’ That said, I do like photo #3 as it shows her eyes.”
—Chris, 32, New York, NY
The verdict:
Both of our experts preferred photo #2’s natural beauty, but real daters were torn between photo #2 and the more glamorous photo #3. So it’s up to you, Carey: If you enjoy coming across as a vixen, post photo #3; if you’re more of a girl-next-door type at heart, stick with photo #2.
“I like photo #3. Black and white is always classy. Photo #2 is too dark, not enough contrast. In photo #1 he has a bit of a demonic look and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out he’s with a Hooters Girl.”
—Roman Griffen, author of Internet Dating: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics
“My favorite is photo #3. You go right to his eyes. Shows energy and confidence without trying very hard. Photo #2 is also very nice, but it’s shot from below which is not always the best angle to show off a jaw line. Photo #1 seems a little forced. You don’t have to try so hard.”
—Tim Schultheis, New York photographer
“Photo #3 is without a doubt the sexiest! The closed-mouth smile has a sense of mystery to it. Photo #2 is too stuffy. In stark contrast, photo #1 is too comfortable, especially since it was taken in front of a Hooters Girl’s chest! While he certainly looks fun-loving, that shot makes him a little bit too fun-loving for me.”
—Regina, 31, Alexandria, VA
“My vote is photo #3. This picture shows his look and his personality. This shouldn’t be his only photo though. It looks professionally done and if he didn’t have any other photos I would wonder what he was really like.”
—Jenn, 34, Brooklyn, NY
“I would choose to post photo #3. Randy looks open and sweet. Photo #2 is too conservative, traditional, boring in my opinion. Photo #1, although it shows Randy is fun-loving, is a little too wild.”
—Madeline, New York, NY
The verdict:
It’s unanimous: Photo #3 blew our panelists away. Who knew that a black and white photo could be such a plus? And we’re not saying anything against Hooters Girls or the guys who love them, if there’s any lesson to be learned from photo #1, it’s to crop carefully.
“Photo #3 is the best because the lighting is good, and it’s a torso shot and not just a face, like photo #1. Photo #2 is a bit too provocative. I fear the responses she’ll receive will not be as serious as she might like.”
—Roman Griffen, author of Internet Dating: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics
“Photo #3! It’s the most natural. Photo #1 is too dark—the clearer the shot, the more a personality shows through. Photo #2 is too suggestive. She has a nice figure, no need to overexpose.”
—Tim Schultheis, New York photographer
“Photo #1 because it’s simple but still manages to show that she is attractive.”
—Gerald, 25, Springfield, VA
“Though I prefer photos that show as much of the person as possible, I’d actually pick photo #1 where only her head shows. There is a seductiveness to the photograph and the lighting shows off her strong facial features. I’m most attracted to this picture.”
—Chris, 32, New York, NY
“Photo #3 is the one to post. Her hair is out of her face and you can see most of her body so there’s a better sense of what she looks like as a whole. As for photo #2, you can see her cleavage and she’s attractive, but you don’t get a sense of who she truly is."
—Padraic, 36, Rochester, NY
The verdict:
While the face-only photo #1 garnered a couple of male admirers, photo #3’s head-and-torso combination won the rest of the votes. Let’s face it: Online daters like to get a look at your face and bod. But show too much skin, like photo #2, and you could be getting the wrong kind of attention.
“It’s photo #2 for Tim. It’s head-on and waist-up, and that’s always better than a facial (photo #1) or a full-body shot (photo #3), which won’t show up well when thumbnailed.”
—Roman Griffen, author of Internet Dating: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics
“Favorite here is photo #3. Shows you body type without trying too hard. Photo #2 is a nice face shot, but not the most flattering for the body; because of the angle Tim looks heavier than he probably is. The pose in photo #1 feels a little awkward.”
—Tim Schultheis, New York photographer
“Photo #1 wins. It shows his face, eyes and smile well, and gives us a sense of his personality. Also, the angle from above is unique, making it stand out.
—Scott, 33, Omaha, NE
“Photo #1 is my pick. Why? He looks anxious, ready to meet someone. Hell, the picture actually looks like he is about to jump out at you. Sort of looks like a puppy—and we all have a soft spot for puppies!”
—Troy, 35, New York, NY
“Photo #1 is my favorite. He looks attractive and playful. It’s an interesting shot that would make me want to investigate more. Photo #2 shows a great smile and an attractive guy, but a dime a dozen in L.A. I wouldn’t look further if I saw photo #3. Very cute, but a bit too ‘chorus boy.’”
—James, 40, Los Angeles
The verdict:
While our experts couldn’t reach a consensus, our gay male panelists were adamant: Photo #1 all the way! Why? Because it shows more than just good looks and a nice bod: It shows personality — and a sweet one at that — which will always attract dates left and right.
“Photo #1 is the best since it’s centered and there’s good contrast to the picture which will show up well online. The contrast in photo #2 is not good and she’s not centered.”
—Roman Griffen, author of Internet Dating: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics
“Photo #3 is my pick. It creates a sincere sense of sweetness. In Photo #2, the shirt is a little busy and it’s not the most flattering light under the eyes. Photo #1 feels too dressy. Would you wear that outfit on a first date?”
—Tim Schultheis, New York photographer
“I would go with photo #1 because it looks natural and seems to be a true representation of the person. Photo #2 was off-center, and all I can say about photo #3 is that standing against a flat color wall in a hallway is never flattering. It could almost be a mug shot.”
—Gerald, 25, Springfield, VA
“I like photo #1 the most. It seems to be a very natural look, with a natural smile, a natural beauty. Suzi looks content and ‘real.’”
—Christopher, 32, New York, NY
“Photo #1 is the best. Her face is front and center. She looks happy and her clothes are well put together—a little conservative, which may not be who she always is, but they add to a sense of being confident or mature.”
—Padraic, 36, Rochester, NY
The verdict:
Everyone, albeit one expert, said photo #1 works best, largely because they get the feeling they’re seeing the real Suzi. The moral of the story: It may just be a snapshot, but people can tell if you’re uncomfortable, nervous, or trying too hard. Stick with photos that were taken when you were feeling relaxed and happy, and trust us, online daters will notice.
Kimberly Dawn Neumann, a freelance writer based in New York City, knows a thing or two about having her photos judged since she’s also a Broadway performer whose headshot is constantly scrutinized by casting agents, choreographers, directors and producers.
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What’s your favorite way to spend Valentine’s Day? |
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71% |
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Dinner date with my sweetie |
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8% |
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Night out with friends |
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21% |
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Takeout & cable TV |
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