Stop using bad photos. Here's exactly how to take photos that work on dating apps.
Test Your Photos Free →You take photos where you think you look good. But that is not what gets matches.
Your forced bathroom selfie smile looks fake. Your match's brain spots this instantly. Left swipe. Here's how to actually take photos that work.
Upload • Get scores • Use what works
Problem: When you take a selfie, you focus on holding the phone and forcing a smile. Result: fake smile, awkward angle, looks desperate.
Solution: Get a friend to take your photo. Or use a phone timer/tripod. This lets you focus on actually smiling, not taking the photo.
Bad lighting: Overhead fluorescent, harsh shadows, bathroom mirror with flash
Good lighting: Face a window. Natural light from windows makes everyone look better. Golden hour (hour before sunset) is even better.
Boring: Standing against a wall staring at camera
Interesting: Playing with your dog, cooking, hiking, at a concert, playing guitar. Action shots show personality and give conversation starters.
The mistake: Photographer says "smile!" and you force a smile. Only your mouth moves. Eyes stay dead. Looks fake.
The fix: Think of something that makes you genuinely happy. Or tell a funny story. Or watch a comedy clip. Real happiness = real smile = better photo.
Bad backgrounds: Messy room, dirty mirror, cluttered desk, bathroom with toilet visible, random people in background
Good backgrounds: Solid wall, nature (trees, water), clean coffee shop, interesting architecture. Focus should be on YOU, not your background.
Amateur mistake: Take 3 photos, use all 3
Professional approach: Take 50-100 photos in one session. Different poses, different smiles, different angles. Then pick the best 6.
Wrong: Gym clothes, pajamas, old t-shirt, clothes that do not fit
Right: Wear what you would wear on an actual first date. Not too casual, not too formal. Just well-dressed and put-together.
Upload your photos. Get instant scores. Find which ones actually work.
Analyze My Photos Free →Using only selfies (get someone else to take photos)
Bad lighting (face a window, shoot during daytime)
Forcing a smile (be genuinely happy when photo is taken)
Messy background (clean up or go outside)
Using only 1-2 photos (fill all 6 slots)
Same outfit in every photo (show variety)
All serious or all smiling (mix it up)
Photos from 2+ years ago (use recent photos)
Heavily filtered photos (they will see the real you eventually)
No full body shots (at least one full body photo)
No. Most professional dating photos look too polished and come off as try-hard. A friend with an iPhone and good natural lighting beats a $300 photoshoot 80% of the time. Just take lots of photos and pick the best ones.
Take 50-100 photos minimum. Professional photographers take hundreds and use 5. You should do the same. More photos = higher chance of getting genuine smiles and natural moments.
Golden hour (hour before sunset) has the best natural light. But anytime during the day near a window works great. Avoid harsh midday sun and artificial indoor lighting.
No. Have 3-4 photos with genuine smiles and 2-3 photos where you are not smiling (serious, focused on activity, candid). Variety shows different sides of your personality.
Modern phones (iPhone, Samsung) are more than good enough. Portrait mode on phones actually works really well. A fancy camera does not make bad photos good.
Every 6-12 months or whenever your appearance changes significantly. Photos should look like current you, not you from 2 years ago.
Follow this guide. Take 50+ photos. Test them. Use the best ones. Get matches.
Test Your Photos Free →