Around 2008, a photographer-friend, who owned a portrait studio, started getting customers who wanted dating profile portraits. Cellphone cameras were becoming popular back then, but many people wanted higher quality photos with better lighting. Shooting online dating photos became a popular service at his studio.
When he closed his studio at the end of 2019, he had said that the demand for shooting dating photos had dropped to zero. My friend speculated that, because cellphone cameras had become so much better, most people were using cellphone photos for their dating profiles.
Yesterday I retouched two cellphone selfies for someone who said the images were for her dating profile. The image quality was pretty good because she used a recent cellphone. But there were problems.
In one photo, because the cellphone was held so close to her face, the wide-angle lens distorted her entire face and made her nose look too large. Also, her jacket lapel was crooked, the background (her messy kitchen) was distracting, and there were too many reflections in her eyes. In the second photo, she seemingly propped up her cellphone on something while she sat back on a chair. But she wasn’t happy with the way her dress bulged out to one side because of the way she was sitting.
Retouching fixed all those things and also enhanced the overall colours, removed a few stray hairs and added some depth (highlights and shadows) and contrast.
If you’re planning to use cellphone selfies for your dating profile, should you get those images professionally retouched?
Pros of Retouching
Polishing the image: A light retouch can help enhance the overall quality of your photo. For example, improving lighting, removing blemishes, minimizing wrinkles, or adjusting contrast can make your image look more polished and professional. Retouching can also fix most technical errors.
Highlighting best features: A subtle retouch can help highlight your best features, usually the eyes and smile, making you appear more confident, competent and friendly. This can make your profile stand out in a sea of photos.
First impressions matter: Online dating is initially visual. The right image will attract more interest. A polished photo can give you an advantage in making a strong first impression.
Cons of Retouching
Misleading Expectations: If the retouching is too heavy-handed, it might give the impression that you’re not being genuine. This could lead to disappointment if someone meets you in person and feels misled.
Authenticity Concerns: Dating is ultimately about making connections based on who you are. Over-editing your photos might convey the wrong message or give the impression that you’re not comfortable with your true self.
Cost: Professional retouching does cost a few dollars. If your intention is just casual dating, it might not be worth the investment. Minor touch-ups can often be done yourself. But if the changes you want are more complicated then professional retouching may be required.
If you’re aiming for a simple, realistic, and approachable feel in your photos, light edits like adjusting lighting, cropping, or removing temporary blemishes are usually enough. The goal should be to present the best version of yourself, but without creating unrealistic expectations.
The most important thing is to feel comfortable and confident with the photos you’re sharing. Authenticity is key to forming genuine connections online.
