Put your best face forward: Seven tips for getting a great online photo

Tired of looking like a disgruntled DMV customer in your Yahoo! Personals profile photo?

Don't let your dating life be stymied by fuzzy, unflattering, and outdated photos.

Here are some easy steps you can take now to create a flattering, head-turning photo.

1) Get ready for your close-up

• Don't use a photo in which you fade into the background, making it impossible for a potential date to tell the difference between you and the tree you're standing next to.



• We know you want to show that you've climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, but posting a picture in which you're the size of a snowflake probably isn't the best choice as your primary photo.



• Photos that are up close and clear are more likely to get you noticed.

Before -- Holly is too far away. Photo is not cropped, viewer is distracted by ugly office setting instead of focusing on her

After -- Holly is wearing a flattering color. The photo looks natural and it highlights her blue eyes, nice smile

2) Go natural!

• One way to get a natural-looking, relaxed photo is to have photos taken while you're doing a normal, everyday activity, such as having coffee, laughing with a friend, or walking around your neighborhood.



• People also tend to loosen up and smile more natural after several photos are snapped. Whether you're hiring a professional photographer or having a friend take your photos, be sure to take a lot of photos so that you'll have a large selection to choose from.

Before -- Gardening anyone? Michele is far away and the background is ugly and distracting (hose, pavement, etc.)

After -- A close-up of Michele who is natural, smiling and not looking as though she was posed

3) Don't Turn Back Time

• Maybe you're a bit heavier than you were ten years ago, or you don't have the full head of hair that you once did. No matter what, avoid the temptation of posting a picture that reflects what you looked like in the good old days, rather than how you look today.



• Don't forget, when you go on your date, they'll see you in person! Misrepresenting what you look like is probably not the best way to start a date. Everyone has a best feature, so find yours-maybe it's your great smile or your sparkling eyes-and show it off!

4) Lighting, Lighting, Lighting

• Good lighting is one of the keys to getting a flattering photo. Avoid harsh light beaming into your eyes so that you don't appear squinting or washed out. When ambient light is too low, always use a flash.



• And, if you already have a photo you love, but the lighting isn't great, you may be able to adjust the lighting and contrast by using a software program for digital photos on your computer.

5) Dress for Success

• As a general rule, it's best to wear solid colors in shades that flatter your skin tone. Black or white can make you look washed out.



• Patterns, such as a floral print or polka dots, can draw attention away from your face, while horizontal stripes can make you appear heavier.

6) Fly Solo

• The purpose of your online photo is to get you noticed, not you and your five best friends from high school. A group photo can also be confusing to potential dates trying to figure out which person in the photo is you.



• Above all, avoid posting pictures in which you've cropped out your ex. You want people focusing on you, not wondering what your ex-partner looked like based on the chopped off arm that's still in the photo.

Before -- Brian has cropped out a partner. This is a grainy, poor-quality, scanned photo

After -- The photo shows Brian in a close-up, great smile, good quality photo

7) The More the Merrier

• Most online dating sites allow you to post several photos.



• While your primary photo should be a close-up (see tip #1), you should post other photos that reveal more about who you are and what you like -- from lying on a beach in Thailand, to running a marathon, to playing with your dog at the local park

In the end, your photo is the gateway to your profile, in which you're able to use words to convey what a great catch you are.

If you're investing an average of $20 a month for an online dating service subscription -- not to mention a lot of time and energy -- it only makes sense to make a great first impression by using a flattering photo that captures the attention of your future Valentine.

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Karen Berntson is the cofounder of NoticeYou.com, a professional photo service for online daters.