Tips and Tricks of Cool Matrimonial Photo Poses

A proper photo on the matrimonial account can significantly increase your chances of getting acquainted with your better half. Psychologists say that we need just 1/10 of a second to form the first impression about an unknown person, so you need to use this time properly.

Your photo is the first that can attract people’s attention and generate interest in your profile. If there is no interest, people don’t click on your data and don’t know what person you are. While let’s talk about matrimonial photo poses that you should make for the matrimonial website.

What do researchers say about the role of a photo?

Let’s consider several scientists’ surveys about the role of a photo on dating sites. 

What can negatively affect your profile?

An independent study of profiles on dating sites showed that there are three main problems with the profile’s photo. 

1. Low quality of the photo, when the image is blurry or grainy; 
2. Insufficient number of photos;
3. Old photos that don’t match your real appearance and age.

What photos prefer people on dating sites?

Scientists from the University of Connecticut show that generally, people pay attention to photos where the efforts of a posing person are visible: photos with good lighting, pleasant hairstyle, and makeup.

Rory McGloin, an Assistant Professor from this University, says that when you are looking for someone’s photo, you can make assumptions about his or her personality and make a decision about meeting or marriage: do you want to see him or her with you or not.

While matrimonial sites offer their mobile versions on smartphones, the photo takes central place on the searching page,

Is it enough to add one photo?

As statistics say, profiles with photos in 9 times more often get “interested” than profiles without a photo.

Also, profiles with more than 4 photos get more responses than profiles with 1 photo. 

So, we see that you need several cool photos for your profile. We prepared 17 tips that will help you make perfect photos for a dating site.

Top 17 tips to make great photos for the matrimonial profile

1. You need a portrait

The main photo of your profile should be a portrait. The portrait in good quality is your chance to tell people who you are and make a proper impression. Also, it is important not to overdo it: if all your photos will be portraits, people can think that you are hiding something. 

2. Show your individuality

Let your matrimonial photo poses show more about your appearance and interests. For example, if you like to ride a bike, take a full-length photo with a bike, and so on. A combination of a portrait with a full-length photo increases your authority and chances to get responses.

3. Add a proper light

A good photo requires good light, but direct sunlight isn’t what you need. Such kind of light can make you older if you are, it is too harsh. So, you need a little trick: when the sunlight goes through the window, it becomes soft and diffused. When the light falls on the model at an angle it is the natural equivalent of studio lighting.

4. Choose outdoor photos

Outdoor photos with a wonderful location also increase your chances. Take a photo at the park near trees or flowers, on the beach or on top of a hill. In this case, there are also some rules: avoid a great number of bright details, they distract attention from you, while you should be the main part of a composition. Use a sky, wall, or leaves as your background. Also, remember the third rule about direct and bright sunlight and don’t take a photo from 11 AM to 1 PM.

5. Wear a proper outfit

A proper outfit that looks good on you and highlights your beauty can make you more confident. You should be confident and relaxed in your photos, it gives the right impression. 

It will be better, if you will take several photos in different ways, it looks more lively. If you will be in the same closet on all your matrimonial photos, people can think that you are desperate and the rest of your wardrobe does not suit you.

6. Show your good side

It is true, we don’t figuratively speak: a Psych Central issue says that the left side of the face is more emotional, esthetic, and pleasant. So, pose slightly with your left side facing the camera.

7. Experiment with your smile

Experiment with different kinds of smiles and choose one when you look perfect. It can be a big smile, tender smile, or half-smile, something that meets your nature. A smile shows that you are a cheerful and confident person, also, it is a perfect possibility to demonstrate your white teeth! 

8. Upgrade your smartphone

If you take your photos with a smartphone, you can download and set up some applications for work with pictures. It can be user-friendly Camera+ for iOS or ProCapture Free for Android. They work as a simple camera but offer additional functions that will help you take better photos. Also, you can choose more specialized apps, for example, Slow Shutter Cam, Night Cam, or Pro HDR for iOS and Android.

9. Use a framing

Professional photographers take dynamic and lively photos using a rule of thirds or framing. Imagine lines that share your picture on three parts vertically and horizontally: you need posing at the intersection of these lines. Saying with simple words, don’t stay at the center of the composition.

10. Squinting can be useful

Peter Hurley, the professional portrait photographer, advises squinting when you are posing for the matrimonial photo. As he says, wide-open eyes give the impression that you are scared or insecure. On the other hand, little squinting helps you look more confident.

11. Sitting correctly

Add some sitting poses to your matrimonial portfolio. With different photos (a portrait, full-length, and sitting) your profile will look more interesting and complicated. A sitting pose also can highlight your beauty.

There are different tips for men and women who want to be a master of sitting pose:

For men:

If you want to look bigger, spread your knees, and sit down so that you take up a lot of space. Also, you can angle to the camera.

For women: 

1. Sit a little sideways, and put your back leg on the front leg. Doing so, your thighs will seem smaller. 
2. You will look more elegant and lean if you cross your ankles, not your knees. 

12. Avoid a double chin

Even if you don’t have a double chin, a bad photo can ruin the whole impression. Let’s use some models’ secrets: they always look great on photos, but if you think that taking photos for them is simple and essential, you will be surprised. To avoid the double chin models fix the tongue behind the front teeth and their neck muscles tighten. Try this trick in front of the mirror and use it when you are posing on a camera.

13. Think about your hands

Both men and women don’t know what to do with their hands, so they hide their hands or cover part of their face. There also are different tips for men and women when hands will look good on the photo.

For men:

Keep your hands occupied and firm.

For women:

Let your hands or fingers (in case of a portrait) be soft and relaxed.

14. Choose the proper angle for standing pose

Standing poses for men and women also differ, so the photographers recommend different angles for the profile’s photo.

For men:

Men look good in the photo when the camera stays on the same level as their eyes or higher.

For women:

Try “S-pose”: pull your thighs away from the camera but you don’t need a side view, so turn your face and shoulders on the camera.

15. Tilt your head a little

The gaze is not what you need on your matrimonial photos. People can think that you are watching them through their devices, it seems a little strange and scary. Your photo will be better when you are tilting your head a little and look upward.

16. Background is important

Even if your look and poses are gorgeous, the wrong background can ruin the photo. Make sure that there is nothing superfluous in the frame: no open wardrobe, dirty dishes, unpainted wall, wiring, etc.

17. Think about the professional photo session

Also, you can turn to the specialist and take a photo session. Ask your friends, maybe they can recommend a certain studio, or use the search through Google or Facebook. Check the portfolio to know how the photographer works and get the inspiration for your matrimonial photo poses.

Frequently asked questions for the photographer

We gathered the most popular questions about photos for matrimonial sites.

What are the photo recommendations if I have dark or brown skin?

1. If your tone of the skin is dark, use a uniform illumination. 
2. Diffused light, for example, a flash with diffuser, nicely highlights a natural tone of the skin.
3. Use the lightest background, so you will get a pleasant contrast.

What makeup do I need for matrimonial photos?

Proper makeup is especially important for a portrait. It is crucial not to overdo with colors and stay natural.

1. Use a foundation for a smooth skin tone and some blush to highlight your cheekbones.
2. Accentuate your eyes with black mascara and eyeshadow, a little darker than your skin tone.
3. A bright red color on the lips is not what you need for your matrimonial photo. Choose a lipstick that will be for one tone darker than your lips, and you will get a natural and elegant look. 

I want to take photos using a smartphone, are there some tricks?

1. Find a place with a lot of natural light. Even the best and newest smartphone can’t offer you a professional flash, so you need bright natural light to get a high-quality photo.
2. If you take photos at home, the posing person should be near the window. You can get an effect of diffused lightning if you put on the window white tissue or sheet.
3. If you take photos outside, avoid deep shadows and great contrasts, so find a shadow of the tree or building.
4. If you want to take a selfie, don’t hold the phone with your hand, just put your phone on the tripod, or lean it against something and use a self-timer.

What things should I avoid for the matrimonial profile?

For men:

1. Don’t take a photo with your friends or siblings: when there are several people in the photo, it is difficult to understand who looks for matrimony.
2. Don’t put a hat: people will think that you are bald. If you are bald, don’t hide it.
3. Don’t show signs or funny faces, use them for photos with your friends or younger siblings, not for matrimonial sites.

For women:

1. Don’t pout your lips, it is not trending now even on Instagram. 
2. Don’t hide part of your face with your hair, even if you are proud of it. It is a matrimonial site, not shampoo advertising.
3. Don’t wear sunglasses, you are not a secret agent, your goal is to meet with somebody but not to stay incognito.

Now you know the best matrimonial photo poses and can take great photos for your matrimonial profile. Be sure, you will take a lot of responses! Tell us in the comments below what tip was most useful for you.