Ian WhiteThe Photo on Your Profile
October 10th 2006 17:54
Gwen and I have been discussing the matter of the photos on our respective profiles. This started because she asked me if I thought she actually looked anything like the photo (of her and Not Her Child) that she had posted on RSVP. And it occurred to me that no, she really doesn’t look that much like the photo she has on there, and to be completely honest, she is much better looking in real life. The photo of me up on the site looks like a bad attempt at a Zoolander pose, but that is actually what I look like. I don’t like the photo much, but I have an average looking head and don’t like any photos of me. I also didn’t have any others of me on my computer except for one where I am in the distance, walking away, which I didn’t think sent the right message, except that the angle the photo is taken from makes me look like I have a cute arse.
Whilst browsing the profiles, I have seen some great photos that were obviously taken by professionals – soft focus, professional looking hair and makeup, stylish clothes etc, and was quite surprised that some people would go this effort. That kind of thing is expensive. I nearly wasn’t prepared to pay the lousy $23 to use the dating site, let alone fork out a couple of hundred dollars to have a photo taken for it. And the real question is…is that effort worth it when I have somehow managed to meet somebody great using a photo that looks like I just got out of bed with a severe hangover.
Plenty of the profiles don’t have a photo at all, and I am certain they get their fair share of interest; I scored a couple of “kisses” from people who had no photo posted. Due to the conditions of The Project, I just didn’t respond. If you get to see a picture of me, it’s only fair to expect the same in return. I have also seen a myriad photos that were clearly taken by the person in the privacy of their own computer room, holding their camera at arms length, trying to centre themselves in the frame while trying to smile cutely as they take their own photo. Some of them aren’t bad. Other photos will be of a group of girls, the Online dater surrounded by friends with a Photoshop circle denoting the girl in question…and for one of them I remember thinking that I would like to meet the girl just to meet one or two of her more attractive friends pictured alongside her.
The biggest fear I had was being recognised by someone I knew who would then laugh at me. It hasn’t happened yet, but then I guess the idea of that is a bit of a Catch 22. Actually, The Project was helped along a little bit by the fact that a mate joined up and met someone after his mum had joined up and met someone.
Thankfully Gwen doesn’t think that the photo of me looks like me either. But I didn’t ask her if she meant that in a good way. Since I think that the photo makes me look like Mr. Bean with bed hair, I will take it that she means I look better in real life. And we shall never speak of this again.
Plenty of the profiles don’t have a photo at all, and I am certain they get their fair share of interest; I scored a couple of “kisses” from people who had no photo posted. Due to the conditions of The Project, I just didn’t respond. If you get to see a picture of me, it’s only fair to expect the same in return. I have also seen a myriad photos that were clearly taken by the person in the privacy of their own computer room, holding their camera at arms length, trying to centre themselves in the frame while trying to smile cutely as they take their own photo. Some of them aren’t bad. Other photos will be of a group of girls, the Online dater surrounded by friends with a Photoshop circle denoting the girl in question…and for one of them I remember thinking that I would like to meet the girl just to meet one or two of her more attractive friends pictured alongside her.
Thankfully Gwen doesn’t think that the photo of me looks like me either. But I didn’t ask her if she meant that in a good way. Since I think that the photo makes me look like Mr. Bean with bed hair, I will take it that she means I look better in real life. And we shall never speak of this again.
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Comment by TomN
Boat Heaven
I guess you only have one chanve at making a first impession. I am on RSVP and will not read the bios of woman that have no photo. I would rather read about an obvious frumpy looking person than one who is to timid to show herself.
Alternately how about voices. Can't they suck you in? some women just have such a voice you could marry them over the phone.
Good work mate keep it up
Comment by Bert Maverick
My Dad can be a funny bastard at times and more than once I heard him say something along the lines of "Great phone voice - must have been a fat chick".