How do I get good dating profile photos if I’m not photogenic?
Here’s a secret: most “photogenic” people aren’t more attractive than anyone else, they’ve just figured out how to show up in photos as who they really are. And that’s what makes them feel magnetic.
Have you ever looked at your camera roll and thought, “why don’t I look like myself?” You’re not alone. Some of the most vibrant, emotionally generous, hilarious, or interesting people barely make it through a photoshoot without tensing up or defaulting to a version of themselves they don’t recognize. And yet, your photos are the first impression you offer in the world of online dating. So, what can you do if you don’t think you’re “good” at them?
Let’s flip the question:
Instead of aiming for perfect angles or trendy filters, aim for coherence - the kind of image that feels like you.
That’s what makes someone swipe right.
Here are a few ways to get there, even if you swear you’re not photogenic:
1. Stop posing, start connecting
The best dating photos don’t just show what you look like - they suggest how it might feel to be around you. Instead of contorting your body into Instagram shapes, try this:
• Think of a person you love and imagine them just off camera.
• Do something with your hands (coffee mug, puppy, book, bike).
• Laugh at something actually funny (not fake laughter - we can all tell).
Cameras pick up energy. What you’re feeling when the shutter clicks matters more than you think.
2. Choose photographers you trust (even if it’s just a friend)
Someone who makes you feel relaxed will always get better photos than a professional or even a friend who makes you feel stiff or self-conscious. The goal isn’t just sharp images; it’s images that capture you in your natural rhythm. The you your friends recognize. The you that shows up in motion, not performance.
3. Don’t chase perfection - aim for resonance
People don’t fall in love with the most flawless photo. They fall for the photo that gives them a tiny emotional nudge: that person feels familiar… I want to know them.
In other words: your favorite dating photo probably won’t be your “best” one. It’ll be the one that feels the most like you - the one that carries a clear Presence Signature. And that’s way more attractive than a perfect jawline.
4. Ask the right questions
Instead of “do I look hot?” ask:
• “Is this the version of me I’d want someone to fall for?”
• “If I showed this to a friend, would they say: yep, that’s you”?
• “Does this photo match the kind of connection I’m actually looking for?”
These kinds of questions anchor your photos in intention, not insecurity — and that shift is powerful.
You don’t have to be photogenic. You just have to be honest, grounded, and present in the photos you choose.
And that’s more than enough.
Need help choosing which photos show you at your most authentic?
That’s exactly what LoveLens does.