Unless you’re lucky enough to get mistaken for Brad Pitt’s stunt double, chances are your profile picture could use some +1 attraction points. VIDA Select's modern dating experts have put together thousands of photo lineups for clients, using a proprietary ranking process to determine which are the strongest - and even which order they should be in. But we don't just use our own in-house data, we also stay on top of all the latest research - mining the scientific studies for intel and insights. In other words, we know more than just a thing or two about what elements make for an attractive profile picture. Whether you're choosing your best profile picture for Facebook [/facebook-dating-how-it-works/], want to look your best on WhatsApp or attract more women on Tinder [/tinder-guide/], these 9-scienced-backed profile picture hacks really work. Our dating experts spent thousands of hours testing and compiling the very best photo hacks to attract women. Access this actionable intel for free! 1) GET DOWN WITH YOUR BADASS SELF Women are naturally more attracted [http://ebm.bmj.com/content/early/2015/02/09/ebmed-2014-110101.full.pdf+html] to men who display bravery, courage and a willingness to take risks. Keep that in mind when choosing your profile pic. A photo of you doing an activity like rock climbing, surfing, or sailing could work extremely well, as long as it shows a clear, flattering view of your face. But when it comes to risk-taking pics, there is one caveat: They need to be perceived as necessary risks, as opposed to stupid or pointless ones. Research has found hunter/gatherer type risks increase her attraction because you’re cast in an alpha male light. But balancing on a railing with a beer in your hand? Not so much. Even “modern” risks like driving without a seatbelt turned women off, according to researchers. So next time you take a selfie in your car, remember to buckle up first! 2) IF YOU’VE GOT IT, GROW IT When it comes to men’s facial hair, the majority has spoken. A research study [http://www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138(13)00022-6/abstract] found heavy stubble is the most attractive look to women. In said study, it beat out clean shaven, light stubble, and full on mountain man. The researchers theorized that facial hair signifies maturity and masculinity, with a side helping of dominance and aggression. In other words - sexy. A scruffy look ala David Beckham beat out clean shaven by a whopping 20%. That being said, this heavy stubble look isn’t for everyone. Some guys just don’t look good with facial hair. If your beard’s patchy, sparse, or otherwise not aesthetically pleasing, it’s probably best to just shave it. You know who you are, and if you’re not sure, ask some female friends or run both looks through Photofeeler [https://www.photofeeler.com/]. 3) POSE WITH A POOCH Want to instantly convey that you’re both responsible and nurturing? Post a picture of you interacting with a dog. Pet ownership, real or implied, gives your “datability” factor a boost because it communicates that you can make a long-term commitment and provide life’s basic necessities to another living being. Dogs don’t just make you look more attractive [http://akademiai.com/doi/abs/10.1556/JEP.11.2013.3.2] - they also make you seem more happy, relaxed, and approachable. So whether you’re looking for your ideal partner on Match.com [/match-25] or attracting new customers to your company, consider posting a pic of you and Mr. Waddles. 4) MO’ MUSCLES, MO’ ACTION Who said size doesn’t matter? Researchers [http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0146167207303022] have found that when it comes to short term relationships, women find guys with big muscles more attractive. However, when it comes to longer term relationships, women were more attracted to less muscular men. Plan your workouts accordingly! 5) GET “WARMED UP” BEFORE YOUR PHOTO David Perrett [https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/david-ian-perrett(6a987feb-d99f-4e51-84ed-5f6d87c19dbc).html], researcher at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and author of “In Your Face: The New Science of Human Attraction [https://www.amazon.com/Your-Face-Science-Attraction-MacSci/dp/0230340431],” found that men appear more attractive in photos when the photos were taken within 5 minutes of them talking to a friendly woman. Men in these photos were seen as “significantly happier” and perceived as a more attractive option for a long-term partner compared to photos that had been taken after they’d spent 5 minutes waiting alone. So if you’re looking to snap some new pictures for your profile, warm up with a friendly chat first. And if you’re looking to hire someone to do it for you, consider selecting a female photographer. 6) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION You’re not the only thing she’s looking at in your dating photos. Chances are she’ll keep a sharp eye on your surroundings as well - and you want the scenery to make a good impression as well. A recent study [http://akademiai.com/doi/abs/10.1556/JEP.12.2014.1.1] found men who were photographed in a high-end, luxurious apartment were perceived as more attractive than when they posed in a more standard looking apartment: The same principle [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19302732] applies to cars. Turns out you’re a lot hotter when you’re sitting in a Bentley. But make sure you’re driving the car or doing something else natural inside of it. Posing against it will make you look like you’re trying hard to impress women, and that’s not hot. 8) HEAD OUTDOORS If you’re like most guys who don’t actually have access to a high-end, luxurious car or apartment, do the next best thing and get a strong outdoor photo that looks natural. According to dating site Zoosk [https://www.zoosk.com/date-mix/online-dating-advice/online-dating-profile-tips/best-online-dating-photo/], your average outdoor photo gets you 19% more online dating messages from women than your average indoor photo. 9) SKIP THE SELFIE A recent study [http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00007/full] found a whopping 82% of participants wanted to see less selfies on social media, and tended to view selfies taken by others as inauthentic and self-promotional. Selfie takers [http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550616644299] were also perceived as more narcissistic, less likeable, and less attractive than they were in photos taken by someone else. And if you’re thinking about including one in your online dating photo lineup, think twice. Zoosk [/zoosk-review/] discovered that selfies decrease the number of messages you receive by 8% [https://www.zoosk.com/date-mix/online-dating-advice/online-dating-profile-tips/best-online-dating-photo/]. READY TO ATTRACT HIGHER QUALITY MATCHES WHILE YOU SLEEP? If you landed on this article because you’re not getting the results you want from dating sites and apps, you’ve come to the right place. Profile photos are the most important component of your online dating profile and the competition has never been more fierce. If you don’t get your photos right, it’s unlikely you’ll meet the matches you're really interested in. That’s where VIDA’s team of modern dating experts comes in. Our highly trained local online dating photographer will capture you at your very best, and then a team of our in-house photo consultants will evaluate your pics. We’ll know which pics to use in what order thanks to a proprietary, data-driven methodology that’s proven to make you more attractive. And if you’re ready to finally meet your ideal woman, VIDA’s team of experts are ready to handle all your online dating for you. From selecting your best matches to setting up high-quality dates, VIDA’s elite full-service packages ensure you’ll always meet the caliber of women you've always dreamed of dating! Click here now to discover if VIDA is right for you! [https://consult.vidaselect.com]
