The Art of the Right Picture

You see, there’s a significant challenge in picking and presenting the right pictures on your online profile. If you have one of yourself at Macchu Piccu, just go ahead and delete it. I never would have thought such an interesting place, so far away, would become so tired. You want a couple of things. At least one with friends. Not too many. Both in the number of friends and the number of pictures with friends. You want a balance of both. Ideally, a small group of different people in each picture. And probably only two or three max with other people. You don’t want to be accused of trying to adopt the cheerleader effect — the concept of putting yourself among more attractive people to boost your image.

You also don’t want to be the type of person in a huge group in each picture. And never declare who you are within it. This is maddening for all involved. And looks bad on you if someone swipes right on you when it is the case. Who did they like? You’re setting yourself up for disappointment there.

Travel pictures can often be overly applied, and so a balance is required here, too. Ultimately, most people take the most selfies or have the most pictures taken of themselves when they’re on holiday. It makes the most sense at the end of the day for “normal” people to have these pictures on hand. It also gives a more worldly look at yourself. It makes you seem more dynamic, interesting, and adventurous. All these things can be true. And yet, it can still be annoying. Like you’re just trying to present this facade image of yourself, and it opens you up to be a little off-putting due to it. Ultimately, people aren’t adventuring all the time. Let that be the first real relationship test — the trip away. For people to discover themselves.

Ultimately, if you can swing it. Hire a photographer. If you can bagsy a student photographer, then even better - you both get something out of it. They always need pictures of people who aren’t them for their projects. Be their project. They need it, let me tell you.

Try and get a natural feel, and less posed. More fun. It allows for more questions to be asked if there’s something dynamic and interesting happening in it.

For me, I had posed pictures of me and a friend play-fighting. Masquerading in a speakeasy bust-up with attire to match. If you can, get pictures that are posed but have a natural, airy feel. You’ll be onto something. If you can do all that and also have something interesting there - you’ll be winning. I promise. Get the picture right. Get your look right. Then add something weird. A fake parrot on your shoulder. You holding a wicker basket full of melons. Having a friend of the same sex in your arms, as if you’re rescuing them. Anything. Make it weird. Make it crazy. It’s a form of peacocking that will invite questions and conversation openers. Ultimately, that’s what you’re here for. Conversation. It is hard to strike up a conversation when there are no prompts. So you want to offer the prompts. Make things so easy to ask, they’re already writing the message before they’ve even realised it.

Also, maybe cool it on the topless pictures, guys.

Oh and lastly, have a picture that shows your whole body. I shouldn’t have to say this, but holy hell, why are people trying to hide? If you’re overweight, you gotta accept that and show it. Same if you’re underweight - I don’t care. You’re only going to become a catfish if you don’t show it and own up to it.

So, try and have a picture that represents you. That shows you. But that’s an impossible ask, so have something fun and interesting no matter what.