<h4>5 Profile Photo Don'ts</h4>

Signing up for an online dating account, you will quickly realize there are a lot of fish in the sea. And as it happens a lot of the deformed, dismembered, smelly, CRAZY fish end up on these sites. So remember, your profile is like your resume. It should showcase the best of you and leave no doubts for the viewer as to your desirability and sanity. This is especially true for the photo(s) you choose. Without having your personality and presence to entice a stranger, a lot of the attraction will rely solely on your appearance. Make sure you look clean and friendly, unless that's really not your style... in which case, power to you.

How to be immediately disqualified by profile picture choice:

1. You have more photos of your dog/cat/iguana than yourself. One photograph of your beloved other half is sufficient.
2. You have more photos of landscapes than yourself. Great, you're an amateur photographer... but actually being a photographer does NOT set you apart from the crowd and these photos are wasting someone's time.
3. Your favorite shot shows your naked upper body. Variation: you have no photos of your clothed self. Bad move, guys. I know this seems like a good idea: showcasing the goods, but it just comes off as sleazy. Duh.
4. I can't tell who you are in the photo. I have had debates about this point with other matchies. My thought is, sure post a picture with your best buddy/sister/stranger/famous dude but make sure you clip in a solo shot. Think of a group photo as an add-on, supplementary if you will. Friends of mine insist there is no room for your cohorts in your profile. They might have a point. It's supposed to be about you, right?
5. You do not have a photo. The ultimate profile photo no-no. If you don't want to show strangers what you look like, then I for one don't want to see what you look like. If you can't figure out how to get a picture of yourself onto a computer and into your profile... well, maybe you should take some time to figure the whole internets thing out.