Perusing through your dating app, you probably run into many similar types of profile photos. If you had a dollar for every time you came across the duck face, a new snapchat filter or a bro shirtless at the gym, you’d be reading this blog from the comfort of your yacht.

Is this good? Is this bad? What are the rules for choosing dating profile photos?

Before we dive into should’s and shouldn’ts, let’s take a step back to talk about the purpose of your profile.

A dating profile serves two functions: to communicate who you are, and to attract the desired relationship with the type of person you seek. We liken it to an effective advertising campaign: you showcase your unique brand and appeal to a target audience.

“your dating profile serves two functions: to communicate who you are and to attract your desired relationship”

Take Nike, for example. There is no mistaking who they are and the audience they are trying to reach. With a simple, but effective tagline, “Just Do It,” coupled with photos of fit athletes pushing themselves to their physical limits, their marketing doesn’t speak to everybody who needs shoes; it speaks to what they are about and reaches a specific audience.

Your profile is the equivalent ad campaign for yourself; it establishes your brand. The profile pictures are the primary hook supported by the text. The right pictures will answer the following questions:

• Who are you?
• What are your interests?
• What kind of lifestyle would you like to share with someone?
• What kind of relationship are you looking for?
• Why would somebody want to date you?
• Who is your target audience?
• Do your pictures represent your brand?

Once you have these answers, select the pictures that best represent who you are. If you love to travel, make sure to include you on a trip. If you love to go out, a picture of you at your favorite bar will communicate this well.

So, how about those duck-faced selfies? The answer lies with you - if you feel that this type of picture represents you and will attract your target audience, then it passes the test.

Once you have a clear grasp on your brand, you will be able to answer this question for yourself.

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