How to Take a Perfect Online Dating Profile Photo (Duckface and Red-Eye Begone!)

Not bad, right?

Here are Dan's tips for recreating this at home.

1, Don't take the shot yourself, MySpace-style. Not only does this make it look like you have no friends (sorry!), but the whole weird upward-arm-framing thing isn't cute and always, always makes your arm look larger than it is. Instead, have a friend take the shot.

2. No cell phone pictures, unless you're at some kind of significant location (e.g. Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, Taco Bell) and don't have a regular camera with you.

3. If it's a full-length shot, see that it's from a flattering angle--not too low or too high. If it's a head-shot, try to keep your chin down but not so low that you get a double chin.

4. If you're indoors, stand against a plain backdrop like a wall so there's no peripheral visual business that distracts potential suitors from your super-appealing dome.

5. The best kind of light for a great profile pic is head-on, bright studio light, or, if you don't have access to that, soft, natural light. Despite the threat of red-eye, flash can be your friend sometimes, especially if you're taking the picture indoors. It's not good if you just look like a dark blob.

6. Relax and don't try too hard to be cool and/or sexy. The above photo is about as relaxed as I get when there's a camera, bright light and/or more than four strangers' eyes on me, but y'all should probably smile in your profile picture.

7. Try to avoid the crop-out because there's always some awkward body part still in frame, and it generally indicates some horrifically messy breakup in your past. I promise, there are many more great photos of you besides that cute one that also features Phantom Ex-Boyfriend Ear.

More online dating profile snafus:

Online Dating Do Or Don't: Using A Family Photo As Your Profile Picture

The Online Dating Profile Video You Have to See to Believe (Seriously, Stop Whatever You're Doing and Watch This Now)

Reader's Dilemma: His Ex Still Has Pictures Of The Two Of Them On Facebook

Online Dating: Would You Pay Someone To Cyrano de Bergerac Your Profile?