online dating tips, do-over

[flowmom]

My new boyfriend is awesome and I met him through a dating site. He's the only man who I've dated through meeting online. I spent enough time on the site to form some opinions though.

Photos are a must. A good headshot without sunglasses or hat is very important. Are you listening guys? Yes you look cool in sunglasses but women need to see your eyes to trust you. A recent full body shot is a must too. Modestly clothed but giving an idea of your body type. Many people feel burned by meeting up with someone who looks nothing like their description or photos.

I've had men act really miffed when they contacted me without a photo and I asked for one. Apparently I'm soooo superficial. First, they've seen my photo so it puts me at a disadvantage. Second, humans respond to facial features on a very fundamental level -- it's not just about standard attractiveness. Third, the photo itself gives so much information about the person. Has the person taken the effort to find or have taken a decent photo of themselves? Do they have a friend who is willing to take a decent photo of them? What are they doing in the photo? How are they trying to present themselves?

You don't have to be gorgeous. 90% of members don't manage to have a single photo of themselves in natural lighting with a relaxed expression and genuine smile. Don't settle for less.