Over the last few years, there have been hundreds of articles about how online dating has changed since the start of the pandemic.
One of the changes most commonly mentioned, is that over 50% of people using dating sites and apps, are still more than willing to arrange for first-time meetups with a video-chat, (Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc.) rather than in person.
That’s a good change for a few reasons. It can lower the intense feelings of stress and anxiety most people have about getting ready and going to first dates. Connecting with someone virtually is also a lot safer than meeting up with a total stranger in person. And it’s much easier to leave a virtual meeting without worrying about conflict or confrontation.
Another positive change, is that over 60% of people on dating apps and sites have said that they’re a lot more clear and comfortable being really upfront about their needs, boundaries, priorities, and expectations. Demographically, nearly 80% of female-identifying people, have said they now have zero tolerance for bad dating behaviour from potential matches.
When asked what they look for in a potential match’s profile, about 70% of people said that they now take more time to read the details carefully before deciding to contact or respond to someone. Rather than really quickly skimming through someone’s profile, many people are now putting in more thought and effort before making a decision either way.
Unsurprisingly, there is one major factor about online dating that hasn’t changed at all. Dating profile photos are still the number one thing that determines whether or not someone is interested enough to find out more.
Across all demographics (age, race, gender, income, location), the key to an appealing dating profile, has always been and still is: The photos people use.
Images that look natural and relaxed. Images that aren’t heavily filtered or overly retouched. Outdoor photos that don’t look too posed or staged. A good variety of different shots. (Smiling, serious, above-the-waist, full-body, with pets and/or hobbies, without pets and/or hobbies.)
How we present ourselves online, says a lot about who we are. A person who makes the effort and takes the time to have really good quality, current, professional dating photos, is presenting themselves as someone who knows that the important things in life are worth doing well.
That’s always been an incredibly attractive quality, which is why the importance of having great online dating photos in your profiles, hasn’t changed at all.
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Tamea Burd Photography offers dating profile photo services in Vancouver, BC.
Cited sources:
The Changing Spaces of Dating Apps since COVID-19
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/single-and-ready-to-mingle-how-dating-has-changed-during-covid-1.1697475
tamea burd photography blog 