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Meeting your partners kids - Help if the date of your dreams turns out to be a parent

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An interview with a successful dater- Find out more about this online daters experience

Dating younger women - Some advice on how to make it a success

Example dating headlines - Real life examples to make you laugh, cry or inspire you!

Funny or foolish? - Real life example dating usernames for you to consider.

First date advice - If you are nervous about your first date then get some help here

Ten great first date ideas - Don't know where to go? Here are ten ideas to help

Getting your dating photo right - Your dating photo is key to your success so get it right

Do you need a photo in your dating profile? The answer is undoubtedly yes! Read why

Dating an older man - Can be a daunting experience so read more about what to expect

Emailing for attention - You've seen a profile you like; now how do you get their attention?

Are you putting off online dating? - Why you should just do it instead!

First date tip - watch your body language! - Hints and tips for first date success

Are you ready to date? Getting yourself back on the dating scene can be hard sometimes

Single mums dating diary - June - Has she finally found love?

Single mums dating diary - May - A new start, new tactics and finally a new date

Single mums dating diary - April - Diappointment, more dates and more disappointment

Single mums dating diary - March - A holiday and a possible romance?

Single mums dating diary - February - First dates and some lessons learnt

Single mums dating diary - January - The decision is made, online dating here we come

Getting the photo right on your dating pprofile really sn’t that tricky now that most people own, or know someone who owns, a digital camera. It’s up to you if you post one at all of course but statistically you’ll get a lot more responses if you do.

If you do decide to include a photo getting it right is important. This is how your potential dates will see you and they will judge you by it. We’ve all seen fuzzy, out of focus shots on dating sites or even e-bay, it doesn’t tempt you to investigate further does it?

"We’ve all seen fuzzy, out of focus shots
on dating sites or e-bay, so don’t be tempted
to use one as it will not flatter you at all!"

Posting a good photo is just a case of following some simple rules – even if you don’t think you’re photogenic you should be able to get one you’re happy with!

Using an existing photo versus taking a new one
If you have some great digital photos of yourself already that you like then there is no reason not to use them but remember:

• your photo must be recent! . Posting a photo of you 20 years ago will put some people off and could make meeting face to face tricky!
• You should be on your own. Don’t cut out other people – it may not be your ex you are cutting out but you can be sure your profile reader will think it is!
• Check the location is OK and not too distracting or gives too much personal information away that you wouldn’t want to reveal.
• Make sure that the photo follows the basic rules detailed below.
• Make sure the photo is well lit and not out of focus

Think about your outfit
There are some basic rules about what you wear for a photo shoot.  Firstly make sure that what you wear represents you! It's not recommended that you gym clothes or a swimsuit for your main photo unless your username or headline make an obvious link, but even then it will cause your reader to make certain assumptions about you.

Generally it’s a good idea to opt for plain simple clothes that flatter your eye and skin colour. Busy patterns tend to be distracting. A suit can be too formal for a dating profile photo, as is a tie on a man. For women a simple shirt, t-shirt or sweater is best whilst for guys a shirt is probably the best option, not too formal but not too casual either.

"Busy patterns tend to be distracting"

Think about how you contrast with your background, you want to stand out remember? You might also consider having at least one photo in your profile where you are wearing something bright as this will stand out well on the page. White and pale clothing can blend in with the page a bit too much.

Avoid showing too much skin. Naked chests tend to put women off and too much flesh on women can attract the wrong type of partner, unless that is your intention of course.

Accessories generally look clichéd and are usually best avoided in amateur photography, particularly sunglasses as people want to see your eyes. If you do wear glasses then fine but don’t use someone else’s just to make you look more intelligent!

You may want to have a couple of outfits so that you can take several different shots. This is entirely up to you but if you do choose to do this then remember to also change your background or it may just looked too posed.

Use good lighting
Outside light is best, but avoid full sunshine as this tends to cast unflattering shadows on your face and can leave you squinting into the camera. Use a flash, even in good light, if your camera has it as this also reduces shadows.  Remember to turn red-eye reduction on though!

"Lighting makes all the difference between
a good and a bad photo"

Try and pick an outside location that gives you an appropriate or neutral backdrop. You want your reader to be looking at you, not your location! If you have an interest or hobby that is important to you (and therefore mentioned in your profile)you could consider including an appropriate photograph but, unless it’s obvious from your headline or username, don’t use it as your main photo.

Make sure you are close enough to the camera or use a zoom
It’s a common mistake to loiter somewhere in the background when you don’t like your photograph being taken but it is really off-putting in a dating profile photo. Your potential dates will just wonder what you’ve got to hide and will probably be put off. However, you may feel more comfortable standing a little way back and getting you photographer to zoom in on you for a head and shoulders shot, rather than having them inches from your face!

Get your body language right
Your body language in the photo will affect peoples reaction to you so make sure you get it right! Keep your expression and body position open and relaxed so don't have your arms folded, your legs crossed or be looking away from the camera as this will make you appear cold and unapproachable.

If you sit or stand straight with your shoulders back and your arms loosly by your saides you will seem open and approachable and as an added benefit it will also make you appear taller, slimmer and more confident.

Often the most flattering pose is taken from the side, with your body at a 45ºangle to the camera and your head and shoulders turned towards it. If you are unsure about this pose then just take a look in any magazine or book and see how the celebrities do it. You'll notice that in many posedphotographs they appera to be looking out of the page right at you, effectively establishing eye contact whihc draws your eye to the picture.

Make sure that the camera is at least level with, or ideally above your face so that you don’t end up with unnecessary chins! But avoid coy looks from under your lashes as these can look false on amateur photos.

For more on body languge generally read our article'Dating Tips; Body language and your date'.

Smile, smile, smile
Think about something that makes you happy, be it your puppy, chocolate cake or even something more personal! A good smile will attract people to your profile and make then want to find out more about you. Don’t worry if you don’t like yourself with a big cheesy grin, just an upwards curve of the mouth is enough to make you look approachable and friendly.

"A smile will attract people to your profile"

Try looking at a point just above and beyond the camera. This will make your profile reader feel you are looking at them but minimise the chance of red-eye.

Take literally hundreds of shots
If you are taking digital shots then get your friend to take hundreds of shots one after the other. Try moving around, chatting with your photographer friend and generally relaxing. You’ll be surprised how many good ones you end up with!

Try some different poses too. Don’t just stand there; try lying on the grass with your head in your hands, or sitting on a rock or bench. Also include both full length ¾ and head and shoulder shots.

Which photos should you choose?
Choosing photos you are comfortable with and like is the most important thing. It is worth considering however that you are not your target audience and often we don’t like photos of ourselves.

"remember you are not your target audience"

Asking a friend of the opposite sex to help you choose can be a good idea particularly if they are representative of your target audience! Mothers on the other hand tend to be less objective usually – they think you look good in every photo so may not be the ideal person to ask!

How many photos should you include in your profile?
Common sense should prevail here. It is good to include at least one head and shoulders and one ¾ or full length photo if you feel comfortable doing so. If you have a couple of other photos that are relevant to your life (and therefore your profile!) and want to add them in then they can provide a talking point. The most important thing is to consider what you would think if you were looking at someone’s profile and if you think it’s OK and you are happy then go with it!

If you are unsure about including a photo in your profile then read our article "Do you need a photo in your dating profile?". If you want more detailed help then why not buy our dating photo eBook? At just £7.99 it has invaluable advice on how to take your photo, what to wear, how to pose, your bodylanguage and much, much more. ..tell me more

Once you have a great dating photo then don;t forget about your profile itself. What are you going to write? Have you got an original and witty headline and username? Take a look at our free article 'composing your online dating personal ad' for more ideas and advice or why not find out more our unique dating profile building tool?

Click here to find out more about our unique dating profile building tool which can help you create your own original headline, username and profile.