Tips and Tricks from our guest blogger Erin Busbee of BusbeeStyle.com.  Erin answers your most burning questions about preparing for your online dating photos, like: What should I wear to my photo shoot?  Should men wear make-up?  How should I do my hair? and more….

Erin Busbee of Busbee Style

What should I wear to my photo shoot?
When getting ready for your dating headshot session, think of two words:   clean and simple.  By clean, I mean literally clean, make sure your clothes are washed or dry cleaned, but also clean— meaning no frills.  Potential dates should stare at your beautiful eyes or gorgeous smile, not your checked shirt or new glittery necklace.  Basically, YOU should be the main attraction!

Okay, so you’ve got “clean and simple” in your head.  Also try to keep these three easy rules in mind when picking out your clothes:
1)    No patterns
2)    No loud jewelry (usually only pertains to women, but there may be a few guys sporting some bling out there.  You know who you are! ☺)
3)    You can’t go wrong with black, brown, and navy.  These colors are most flattering on men and women. And, again these colors will allow YOU to be the main attraction.  (Hot pink and neon yellow may be in style right now, but they will definitely take the focus off your face.)

Do I get wardrobe changes/How many changes of clothing can I bring?
Here’s the scoop, the shoots are only 30-40 minutes, so you don’t want to waste your time completely changing your look.  But, at the same time, you want a little variety in your photos so you can use more than one picture from the session in your profile.

Here are my suggestions:
Ladies…
You should bring the following:
1)    Tank top that you feel really pretty in (for those who don’t like tank tops, replace with ¾ or long sleeve blouse/knit with scoop or crew neck)
2)    A cardigan sweater
3)    A v-neck knit.
You can get three looks with minimal time out of these three items.  For your first look, start with your v-neck knit.  (V-necks are most flattering and slimming with every face shape.) For your second look, throw on your tank top and cardigan sweater.  Lastly, ditch your cardigan and sex it up (a little) in your tank!

If you are self-conscious about your arms and don’t really feel comfortable in a tank top or sleeveless top, replace this look with a three-quarter or long sleeve blouse or knit.  Just make sure the neckline is different than your v-neck knit.  A scoop, crew or boat neck would work well.

Guys…
Here’s what you should bring to the shoot:
1)    Button-down, well-fitted shirt
2)    Blazer
3)    Crewneck, V-neck or cotton T-shirt.
You can squeak three totally different looks out of these three pieces.  Start with your button-down shirt and blazer combo.  Next, take off the blazer and pose in just your button-down shirt.  For the final look, go with your crewneck, v-neck or T-shirt.  We save this one for last cause this is your stud muffin shot.  You need to warm up a little before you can really get your sexy on! ☺

Additional notes for both men and women:
1)    If you are overweight, do not wear ill-fitting clothes, especially things that are tight.  This will only accentuate your size.
2)    For your lower-half, go with your favorite, most comfortable jeans.
3)    Ask someone you really trust their opinion.  If you live in the south, ask a few people.  (No one is mean enough to give you straight talk below the Mason Dixon line.)
4)    If you don’t have black, brown or navy already in your wardrobe choose a solid color that you wear often and/or have received complements while wearing.
5)    Bring one extra shirt.  This is your emergency shirt just in case you spill something or excessively perspire in your session.
6)    Lastly, don’t forget your first set of rules, “clean and simple.” This means, no message T-shirts or tank tops, no embroidery, no sequins, etc.

How should I do my hair?
Like your clothes, you should keep your hair clean and simple. Seriously, wash it. (Sorry, some of you may need a reminder ☺).

Guys, you need to go easy on the hair gel…unless you’re aiming to attract J-Woww types (See “Jersey Shore TV series” on Wikipedia).

Ladies, you should follow the same mantra, easy on the gel, mousse, spray, etc.  Keep it fresh and touchable.  It should look like hair that a man has to run his hands through because it’s soft and free.  Also, keep it down.  Men love long hair.  But, don’t style it so it’s hanging in your face.  Remember, you are the main attraction.  Not hair, clothes, accessories.   (Same rules apply to short hair.  Keep it off your face.  Minimize styling products.  It should look fresh, fun and touchable!)

The best overall hair DO— Style it however you feel most confident.  The more confident you feel, the better the photos! ☺

How should women do their make-up for the DatingHeadshots photo session?
This is tricky for women because it’s really a delicate balance between looking natural, but also pumping up the coverage so you’re not shiny… And, the color so your features are better defined for the photos.

Here’s what I would suggest doing:

PREP
1)    First, wash and gently exfoliate your face.
2)    Moisturize REALLY well (including under your eyes)
3)    I would use a foundation primer if you have one

FOUNDATION
1)    Dab concealer under your eyes, around your nose, chin, wherever you have redness on your face.  Also apply concealer on any blemishes.
2)    Blend concealer well (Note: you may have to touch up your concealer a little after applying eye shadow)
3)    With a large foundation brush, apply foundation (matching shade or one shade darker).  I’m in love with “Make Up Forever Professional” HD Foundation.  It really covers and evens out your skin tone.  It’s also perfect for pictures because it’s very natural coverage.  However, it’s expensive.  A tube of Revlon Colorstay will also do the trick.

EYES
1)    Apply a creamy colored shadow all over your lids.  (In a minute you can use the same shade under your eyes (as additional under-eye coverage)
2)    Use a darker shade in your eye lid crease to really make your eyes pop.
3)    Apply a highlighter shadow directly under your brow.  Use the same white or pearl color in the corner of your eyes (opens up the eye).
4)    Line eyes with brown pencil (this color will work with every eye color) Brown is softer than black.  You can either line just the top of your eye or the whole eye.  Whichever you prefer.
5)    Plump up your lashes with some mascara.  Maybelline Great Lash is just fine and inexpensive!
Note:  If a little shadow gets under your eyes, take a Q-Tip and a dab of moisturizer.  The moisturizer will pick up the excess shadow and still keep your eyes looking fresh (not red). Don’t rub or scrub!

CHEEKS
1)    Apply a highlighter/bronzer to the cheekbones (not on apples of cheeks), this will give you that dewy, glow.
2)    Use your favorite blush on the apples of your cheeks.  I really like Orgasm by Nars. (With a name like that…☺)

CONTOURING – (only attempt this section if you are comfortable applying make-up.)
1)    Take a large brush and apply bronzer under your chin and down along the middle of your neck.
2)    Use a medium brush and apply the same bronzer in the hollows of your cheeks (go LIGHT on this)
3)    Take a eye shadow brush and very lightly apply some bronzer along the sides of your nose.  The lines should follow the same line that a pencil would make if you held it up against the side of your nose.

POWDER
This step is essential to reduce shine and just give your face a finished look.
1)    Take the same large brush you used for your foundation and apply a little powder to your forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, neck and chest.
2)    With a separate brush, apply the same powder under your eyes to really eliminate any evidence that you didn’t sleep last night! You can also use your base eye shadow color (cream colored)

Et Voila! Your face is finished. Now, knock em’ dead, sister!

Should men wear make-up??
Male models, actors and news people all wear make-up to even out their skin color and reduce shine.  You can and should do the same for your photos.  Go to your local drug store and find a compact powder that’s a shade darker than your natural skin tone.  Try the tester on the back of your hand or wrist to see if the shade blends in with your skin color.  When in doubt ask someone who works at the store to help you pick a shade.  If you have blotchy or redness in your skin, this powder can really make a difference.  It will also diminish shininess, which often occurs in the “T-Zone,” or forehead and nose areas.  For serious blemishes (i.e. giant pimples) pick out a liquid concealer and dab just a little on your blemish.

If you are vehemently against wearing make-up (and I suspect a number of you are), then at least pick up some blotting papers.  I recommend Boscia or Clean and Clear blotting papers.  You can find these at the drug store also.  Blot these along your T-Zone before your shoot and as needed during the shoot to reduce shine.

Are there any tricks, tips to looking best in your photos?
Look, no one expects you to be a natural in front of the camera your first time out of the gate, BUT I do suggest trying the following:
1)    Practice a little in the mirror.
Try to objectively decide if you have a better side or look best face forward.  Also try to decipher if your face looks better with no smile, a half smile or a full smile.
2)    Think happy thoughts.
When posing for your pics, try to think of something that makes you laugh.  This joy will come through in your eyes. KEY! Happy thoughts will also give you a more genuine and inviting smile.
3)    LISTEN to your photographer.
Some of you may have learned about “Smizing” and “Finding the light” from “America’s Next Top Model,” but that doesn’t mean you know it all.  The photographer is the pro and he/she is going to make or break your photos.  Pay attention to their direction!

The love of your life may be just a few, great photos away… Good luck!

For more information on Erin Busbee, check out her website at: http://www.busbeestyle.com/

If you have just come out of a relationship and ready to take on a new challenge, there are many resources to help you get started. The internet is one of the best tools available and it will provide you with useful information and quality resources.

When looking at online resources you need to do a bit of your own homework to ensure that you only select the best dating services to work with. There are many quality websites that offer profiles of single professionals and these will be a good starting point. When you are considering a company you need to look at their history; how long they have been in business and their customer feedback rating. You can also take a look at their monthly and daily traffic statistics; this is a good indication of their popularity and the amount of users that return regularly.

You can also find out how long they have been in business; if they have been around for a few years already chances are they are experts in their field and will have a lot of guidance and useful tips to give. Since are in the business of helping you find a suitable individual they will gladly answer all your questions.

Using a dating counselor is another great idea you can follow; they will assist you in finding profiles of suitable professionals and provide you with expert advice. You will be assisted in finding individuals with similar interests and goals; ensuring that they will be a good fit. As part of their service, many of these websites mentioned above will offer a personal counselor as part of the service to their clients. They might charge a fee to join them but it is well worth the small investment.

All candidates listed on these sites will go through a thorough screening process and their profiles will be accompanied by a recent photo. This will enable you to browse through the profiles of like minded individuals and select those that fit your requirements.  Likewise, invest in your own dating profile photo.  Don’t settle for a picture that does not portray your best attributes.  Going to a professional dating photographer can mean the difference when it comes to meeting that special person.

With the guidance of an experienced counselor or with the right dating service you will quickly find new opportunities; paving the way for a successful, fulfilling relationship with an individual sharing your outlook on life.

Find professional photographers in your area who specialize in online dating photos and find more advice about online dating and online dating services at http://www.datingheadshots.com

Today Datingheadshots Inc. and Cupids Coach are please to announce a new partnership that creates a powerful executive dating solution for those that deserve the “Red Carpet” treatment and want to create the very best online image possible, not just an online dating image.

What truly amazes me is how many people throw up lackluster profiles and then are surprised that online dating does not work for them.

What’s the first that you see when you enter an online dating site? Row after row of photos of people that meet your search criteria. Do you click on every one of them and read their profile? No you skim through the ones that look appealing and then, only then, do you take the time to read the profile.

Your profile is your first impression and if you don’t make a good first impression then nobody is going to be that motivated to reach out to try and meet you.

So what are busy people or people that feel they deserve the very best going to do? They hire the experts to take care of them and get it done right. That’s what VIP Executive dating is all about… and is why the partnership with Cupids Coach is a One-Two-Punch to creating the perfect online dating profile with the perfect online dating photo and superbly written online dating profile.

This partnership sets the standard for creating the high-touch executive dating or VIP dating experience that many clients have been looking for. These are the type of people that want the best and expect the best. They know that their online image matters and they are willing to do what it takes to create the best image possible, an image that will set them apart from the crowd.

To learn more about this you can check out the Press Release here:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/executive_dating/01/prweb3461814.htm

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• ARA: How to write an online dating profile (timesunion.com)
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Personality is important when attracting dates from online dating sources — that’s a given. Other things that are important are location, interests and hobbies. However, no one will ever get to these aspects of your online dating profile if the picture doesn’t reel them in first. Therefore, the dating profile photo you use needs to be a real zinger in order to attract more success from your online dating service.

The profile picture is the first thing that people see when searching for potential love interests on internet dating websites. Even if you’re the most beautiful woman around or the most handsome devil in town, a fuzzy or unappealing profile picture can ruin your chances of love. Even if the picture isn’t fuzzy, the photo can still be unappealing due to the environment in which it was taken (bars, clubs, bad lighting, psuedo-sexy shirtless beefcake photos or glamour shots).

The secret to a great online profile is a down-to-earth professional photograph that brings out your natural good looks and displays your confidence.

As the online dating world evolves it has become obvious that there is a need for professional photography studios to cater to people’s dating photo needs. Besides the demand, another reason photography studios have begun supplying this new service is because of the strict guidelines that internet dating sites enforce regarding profile picture file sizes and dimensions. Many times people will have beautiful head shots of themselves that, when reduced to the required dimensions and file size, end up looking warped and skewed online.

The challenge is finding the time to locate a photographer and schedule an appointment. One of the reasons you participate in online dating services is because you don’t have time to spend hanging out in bars all the time. Well, who has time to spend visiting photography studios? Fortunately, you can find a photographer the same way you look for love… online!

Even though a well written “About Me” section and other profile points are incredibly important to the online dating process, real success in online dating begins with the profile picture. Many people may think that it’s shallow to rely on the way someone looks before they view the profile, but because of the way online dating profiles are set up one can’t help but judge the proverbial book by it’s cover first.

Find professional photographers in your area who specialize in online dating photography at DatingHeadShots.com. Having better online dating photos is what ultimately makes you a success in the online dating world.

Your Looks and Your Inbox

http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/2009/11/17/your-looks-and-online-dating/

I saw some great articles come out of the OKCupid’s OKTrends blogs the other day. some of it was controversial and some of it was downright obvious. My favorite was the one about you”looks and your inbox. The only problem was the persons “looks” can only be determined by the photo that they decide to upload to the website. If a attractive person decides to upload an unattractive photo then what do they expect? We have had many clients who have admitted that they did not really like the photos that they started out with on the dating sites and were still surprised that they got so little mail in their inbox?

What I really want to see is a good study on the effects of quality photos on online dating. If a person uploads the very best photo of themselves, and i mean a legitimate photo, not a retouched monstrosity how well will they do thann if they uploaded a crappy photo of themselves. Now that would be a study worth doing.

Here is my comment about the study ….

Why is everyone acting like this is such a big surprise? Spend 5 seconds with an online dating site and what do they show you? Photos? row after row of photos of people that are supposed to meet your criteria. it makes perfect sense.

What doesn’t make sense is the fact that many people pretend that their photo does not matter. I mean come on …Online dating is the ultimate in self promotion. First impressions matter, and they matter most in online dating …and how do you make a great first impression? with a great dating Profile photos. How much more simple could it be? yeeeesh!

if you don’t care enough to put a good photo of yourself online then you must not really care about it all that much. Who wants to date someone that can’t even muster the energy to portray themselves in the best light?

A better study would be, take the same person with a great photo from one of the pro dating profile places like datingheadshots and then take the same person with their regular crappy snapshot and see which photo generates the most responses. that’s the study I’m looking for …not one that essentially boils down to the quality of the photo that someone decides to post.

You’re an interesting and attractive woman, right? So why are you not having any success in the online dating world? Even if you are getting messages from interesting men, why is it that, after the first date, they never want to speak to you again?

Often times women don’t realize when they’re turning men off or why they’re turning men off. However, there are a few tips you need to take into account when searching for the perfect guy in the online dating world and it begins with your online dating profile picture.

1) Your Dating Profile Picture Doesn’t Show The Real You

We don’t all have the eye of a photographer, that’s true. However, it’s safe to say that we all know what looks good. There are so many online dating profile pictures that are either fuzzy or disproportional once confined to the online dating service’s photo dimensions that even the most attractive woman can look unappealing. Yet, your profile picture is the first thing that men look at. That isn’t because men are shallow (although some are, of course) but mainly because that is the way online dating sites are set up — the first thing people see is your online dating profile picture.

The first step to gaining men’s attention online is to get a professional headshot taken. This let’s your true beauty and personality shine through. There are great online services that allows you to find certified professional photography studios in your area, that way you’ll start getting more messages from men.

But, what happens when it comes down to the actual date?

2) You’re Too Flirty

Men love it when women flirt, that’s a given. However, when you’re giggling, touching and tossing hair everywhere it can be an immediate turnoff. For good or ill, men love a good chase and you need to play hard to get. Becoming too outwardly flirty will guarantee you won’t see him again. A woman that flirts and demands too much attention is a woman with low self-esteem issues and men know that.

3) You Talk Too Much About The Future

Men like to live in the right here, right now. Talking to your first date about how many children you want to have, what kind of house that you want to live in and what kind of wedding dress you’re going to wear will turn him off immediately and you’ll find yourself ignored by yet another man. Saying things like this on the first date is a no-no. Not only that, but talking about these things during the first month is a no-no.

4) You’re Too Clingy

No one, no matter who they are, likes a clingy nuisance. If you find yourself adopting his interests whilst staring at him adoringly, calling him 15 times a day, emailing him and asking him to go everywhere with you, then whatever relationship that could have been will be destroyed — no questions asked. Men enjoy being independent and they respect a woman that can be independent herself. The best thing to do is meet him in the middle.

5) You’re The Party-Too-Much Girl

Every guy likes a good party and they certainly don’t want a boring woman that never wants to go out and have a good time. That’s why the proverbial party girl can seem like a good match for a guy at first. However, women who don’t know the meaning of “closing time” will turn a guy off very quickly. If you can’t have a good time without going off the hinges, then you’ll loose a guy’s respect in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

6) You’re Talking Too Much

A woman that talks too much is either too into herself and no one else or someone that has incredibly low self-esteem. Men hate it when women talk too much, it makes them clench their jaw, tighten their fists and rub their temples incessantly. Many times the perfect relationship isn’t based on how much you have in common or how easily you chat back and forth, but how you both can sit in silence comfortably, simply being with each other. Remember that.

The first step to getting a man’s attention is you paying attention to your own profile pictures, especially ones that allow your true personality to shine through. Again, men need incentive and you don’t need to be the most stunning woman on the internet to gain that incentive. You only need to have a clear portrait of yourself that shows who you are so that you can gain the right man’s attention. DatingHeadshots.com is a fantastic resource for finding photographers in your area that concentrate on making your dating profile pictures not only better, but true to your personality.

Although MySpace and Facebook are not officially online dating services, many people from 18 to 34 years old use these social networking sites to get dates in their area. A lot of people find MySpace and Facebook dating easier and less expensive than using more traditional online dating services like Match and eHarmony

Unlike most online dating services, Facebook and Myspace allow its users virtually unlimited control of their profiles. You can post up pictures, wallpaper, animations, videos and so on. In addition, you can leave comments on your friends’ profiles and they can leave comments on your profile. This allows you to see what kind of friends your potential love interest has. After all, “The best mirror is in the eyes of your friends”.

Although MySpace and Facebook allow its users to be more interactive with their profiles and communication, websites that are used solely for dating don’t have as much guesswork involved. For example, many people on Facebook and MySpace are just there for their friends, but people on official dating websites are there to find other singles like themselves, so you know that no matter what, the person you’re contacting will be looking for a date.

However, the thing that most online dating websites don’t have is the ability to find dates through your friends. With social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, it’s easy to find new friends through the people that you already know. By simply viewing your best friend’s profile you can click on attractive people on his or her friend list and add them to your contacts. This is a good way to start meeting new love interests because you already know you have something in common – you’re both friends with the same person.

Another great thing about dating through Facebook and Myspace is the amount of pictures you can put on your profile. When it comes to online dating websites, the profile picture is usually the first thing people see and there is usually a limit to the amount of online dating photos you can display. However, with social networking sites you are able to display an unlimited amount of photographs and you can organize them into convenient folders. Not only that, but your friends and potential love interests can comment on your photographs and you can comment on theirs.

When it really comes down to the nitty-gritty, social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace aren’t completely ideal for dating. They’re used more for keeping up with friends and making plans for the weekend. However, they do have their potential. If you’re younger and looking to meet new people to date, social networking sites can help you find dates through friends you already know. Also, you can do more with your online profile than you can with most online dating services.

Yet, websites that are specifically designed for dating are much better for people looking for one specific thing – singles. There are no games and there is no middle man, it’s simply a bunch of singles looking for a date or a long term relationship.

One other difference between social networking sites and dating sites is money. Now, not all online dating services charge money, but most of the better ones do. But, with social networking, you’re guaranteed a good service without having to pay any money at all.

So, are sites like Facebook and Myspace really better for online dating? No. There is no definite site that has more success in the online dating world. What it really comes down to is your online dating profile picture and how your profile is displayed, as well as your preference concerning the flow of a dating website. All online dating services display themselves differently and cater to a specific demographic, you have to figure out which one is right for you. Trial and error is the best way to go.

Find professional photographers in your area who specialize in online dating photos and find more advice about online dating and online dating services at http://www.datingheadshots.com

They say that time heals everything and that’s true, but there are plenty of ways that you can help time along and heal faster so you can get over a recent break up and back to dating. So, instead of mulling over your ex and pouting around the house in your PJs all day attempting to find some vice ridden over indulgence to dive wrists deep into in order to forget the pain of the whole ordeal, try the following suggestions instead:

1) Accept That It’s Over

Crazy, right? Don’t think about, don’t try to call your Ex, don’t try to drive by your Ex’s house in the middle of the night and certainly don’t email your Ex. It’s over — quit it! Delete the phone number, rip up the love notes, delete the email address and get yourself a new online dating profile. Now THAT’S good advice, if you’ll follow up with it.

2) Call up Your Friends

When people are in a serious relationship they tend to fade out of their coveted social circles. So, now that you’re broken up this is a perfect opportunity to start getting back with your friends. Besides, what are friends for, right? Call them on the phone and go out with them even if you don’t particularly feel like it. Not only will you feel a little bit more normal, but you’ll begin ironing out your emotional kinks more quickly so that you can move on and get back to dating.

3) Improve Yourself

Think of all the time you wasted falling in love with your Ex just for it to end. Sorry, I didn’t want to make you feel bad, but now is the perfect opportunity to start taking more advantage of your time. Go take some classes down out your local community college and meet some new people. Go on a trip nearby to a place you’ve never been before. Start a new exercise regime. Learn how to play chess — whatever! Just work on improving yourself and using your time more wisely. This may help you discover some things about yourself that you never knew, which will in turn help you choose a different type of love interest the next time around.

4) Get a Hobby

Start painting, taking up photography or even sculpture. Collect stamps. Put together model cars. Study quantum mechanics in your spare time — it’s up to you, just get a hobby. A Hobby will not only take your mind off your ex it may also help you gain new conversation topics and aid you in discovering talents you never knew you had.

5) Keep Your Sense of Humor

Laugh at yourself and your situation, if you can’t do that then you’ll never get anywhere in life and definitely not over your Ex. Look back and reflect. Realize silly mistakes you’ve made in past relationships or feelings you experienced at the time and considered so important that you now consider incredibly trivial.

6) Reinvent Yourself

This is the most important aspect for getting over you Ex and getting back to dating. One of the best ways to reinvent yourself is to see yourself from the outside in like looking at a picture. Show the world who you really are and how ready you are to go out and be adventurous after your break up by going to DatingHeadShots.com and finding certified professional photographers in your area, you will be able to have 50 studio-quality photographs taken for under $130. The professional photographers will help guide you along in the process so that your inner self can truly shine through.

When you’re ready to start searching for the right person via your online dating profile of choice then you can pick 4 of your favorite photographs and DatingHeadShots.com will resize, reformat and retouch them to fit your online dating profile perfectly.

Remember, always reinvent yourself after a break up — it’s a new day. If you keep doing the same things over and over again and you keep getting bad results, then it’s a clear sign that you need to try something new. So, stop pouting and start getting online and finding dates, but make sure that everyone can see how fresh and revived you look by getting new professional dating photos from DatingHeadShots.com.

In a perfect world there would be no shallow people. Everyone would gauge his or her romantic interests based solely on personality. However, that just isn’t the case – not for you, not for me and not for anyone else, especially when it comes to the world of online dating.

Your dating profile picture is the first thing people see, based upon how appealing that profile picture is, they’ll decide whether or not to investigate your online dating profile further by reading about your likes, dislikes, wants and desires. If you’re thinking that this is shallow, you may want to look at your own online dating habits. Don’t YOU usually do the same thing? Sure you do.

Due to this simple fact, online dating profile pictures are incredibly important, if not completely vital to your success in the world of online dating. So, if you’re not getting enough dates through your online dating service, consider some of the following profile picture blunders

1. Too Pixilated

When you have a profile picture that is blurry and pixilated, then it’s incredibly difficult to tell how you really look. People will most likely pass by a pixilated photo and never know who you really are. Make sure your profile photo is clear and easy to see.

2. Distorted

No matter what online dating service you’re using, each one will have a limit on the profile picture dimensions. They will request a particular file size, pixel width and pixel height. Even if your picture isn’t pixilated, it could be distorted if you don’t pay attention to these dimensions and adhere to them. If your dating profile picture is distorted it could make you look fat even if you’re not, it could make your face look longer than it actually is and it will ultimately end up making you look unappealing. Always read the dimension guidelines before uploading your headshot, that way you won’t be stuck wondering why no one is messaging you.

3. Bad Lighting

If your online dating profile picture is too dark, too light or oddly shadowed, then you’re going to look unappealing. Even taking a picture of yourself in the daylight can cast unwanted shadows over your face because of your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, bottom lips and so on. The best way to solve this problem is to have your headshot taken in soft lighting that isn’t too dark and not too light. If you want to take your photograph outside, make sure to do so when there is an overcast sky so that the sunlight isn’t too harsh.

4. Over Done

No one thinks a profile picture of a guy with his shirt off flexing for the camera or a girl trying to look overly sexy for her profile picture is actually appealing. Not only is that going to attract the wrong kind of people, it’s going to make you look cheap. You need to have dating headshots that show your true personality and that will attract the kind of person you’re looking for. So, cover up, stop puckering up and just be yourself so you don’t over do it.

You may or may not be new to the world of online dating, but in either case it’s important to understand the importance of correct email communication once you start up a good back-and-forth with a potential dating interest.

There is a fine line between overselling yourself and selling yourself short. When communicating through email from your online dating service you must catch and keep the other person’s attention. You have to sound interesting, intriguing and engaging. However, you have to hold back a little in order to remain mysterious and keep the other party interesting in learning more about you. Really it all comes down to establishing a balance.

Here are some tips for effective online dating email communication:

1. Play The Game – Dating is kind of a game and you have to play to win. Even if you’re being chased you also have to chase. One of the best things to do when you see an online dating profile you’re interested in is send something simple and enticing such as a quick email establishing a connection with something in their profile. If they like to travel mention something about the last exotic trip you took.That begins the game. You’re revealing barely any information at all other than you’re interested, and that will drive the other person crazy because they’ll want to learn more about you.

2. Don’t Give Too Much Information Too Soon – Only share enough information about yourself to entice your dating interest. Make sure to keep your answers to questions only one or two sentences long and respond with a sassy tone. Wit is important.

3. Represent Yourself Honestly – It’s easy to misrepresent yourself when it comes to online dating due to the anonymity the Internet provides us. But, don’t start shaving a few years off your age or making yourself out to be cooler, just be yourself because that is sexy. As long as you’re confident in who you are and portray that confidence during your online dating communication and even remain a little humorous about yourself, it will entice and impress the person you’re communicating with.

4. Don’t Lead Them On – If you’re not interested in the other person make sure you let them know that ASAP. If someone sends you a message don’t just ignore it, let them know as politely and as respectfully as you can that you don’t feel the both of you are a match. That way, it’s not so much as a rejection as a lack of initial chemistry. In this case, treat others as you would like to be treated when it comes to online dating communication.

If you’re thinking about organizing an in-person meeting with someone you’ve been communicating with via your online dating profile, make sure to read a previous blog entitled “Internet Dating Safety 101” so you can have fun and be safe.

Also, if you still want to know more about flirting online don’t forget to check out “How to Flirt Online – 5 Tried and True Tips for Internet Dating”.

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