Getting the Right Shot
by DPLast Updated: 08/23/2006 |
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Here is a quick guide on finding the perfect picture for your profile
It's photo time!
Time to show yourself to the world. Okay maybe not the world - maybe not even a small fraction of the population of your little spot on the map. Time to show your picture to a small group of online daters in the exact same position you are.
Why do I put it like that? To get you in the right frame of mind. You need to avoid falling into two common categories for people new to this; those who are embarassed to be here, and those who think they are too good to be here.
For the first group, chill. You are not on display for the whole world to see. This is a very small community you are in no matter how large the website claims to be. Even if someone you know does see you who cares! What were they doing at the website in the first place. Do I really need to go on? Come on, grow up.
The latter group is the one you will much more likely fall into. You are not too good to be here! Don't submit a shot of yourself with your tongue out or doing your best 50 Cent impersonation. Don't be wearing sunglasses. You aren't posing for Rolling Stone, you are posing for an online dating website.
Think about it. Do you want to date a person who would go on to one of these websites and be impressed by someone like you who thinks they are too cool for school? Even if you are awesomely amazing, you have to admit that is pretty desperate on their part.
The key is to not think of it as you. That is not you who you are looking at in that picture. That is not the most popular kid in the class twelve years ago, the champion of something no one remembers, or whatever keeps your ego going! Forget about it. You are a member of an online dating website. If you are so great forget the past and learn how to make a good impression here. No one knows who you are, or were, and no one cares - yet.
Okay, so you have the mindset, now to choose the picture. Do you have a webcam? That's great, it might come in handy later. But put it away for now. Have some old photos? That might do, but most likely you won't find the shot you really want.
Your best bet is to find a digital camera and a friend to act as your photographer. A tripod can work too if you are shy about it (most digi cams will have a timer feature). But I don't care how long your arms are, don't do it like that. Has anyone - ever - taken a good photo like that? Put some effort into it and get some distance between yourself and the camera!
Smile! Yes, do smile. And go until you find something you are happy with. Don't feel too much pressure because you can always replace the picture with a new one later - and trust me, no one ever sticks with the same picture for long.
Now put yourself out there and make that great first impression on the world! Errr.. some of the world..
You know what I mean :) |
