10 Bumble Photo Tips That All Guys Should Follow
The best Bumble photo tips for men include using high-quality photos, showcasing a variety of interests, and smiling. Great pictures are critical on Bumble because they help you stand out from the crowd.
Bumble is very popular, so there's a lot of competition to grab women's attention. The best way to make a great first impression is by having great photos and avoiding common blunders.
In this post, I'll share 10 Bumble photo tips that will improve your chances of getting matches. Whether you're new to Bumble or a seasoned user, these tips will help you create a profile that stands out and gets you noticed.
Bonus tip - Use all 6 photos.
Bumble allows you to use six photos for your profile. You should use all six to showcase who you are because it will help you get more matches!
According to Bumble, using three or more profile photos, you're 43% more likely to get a match. The more photos you use, the more likely you'll connect with more women.
1. Use high-quality photos.
Avoid using blurry or pixelated photos, as they can make you appear unappealing and unprofessional. Crisp, clear pictures are the way to go on Bumble.
A digital camera is great, but these days your phone can take fabulous pictures. Be sure to use the camera on the back of the phone.
The rear camera on the phone is generally better in image quality and versatility, as it typically has a higher resolution than the front-facing camera. The camera on the back of a phone makes it the best option for taking pictures for your dating profile.
Natural sunlight is the easiest and best option for taking a great photo. Sunlight erases imperfections, makes you look younger/healthier, and emphasizes your eyes.
Poor lighting makes a terrible first impression.
2. Smile, for goodness sake.
A smile is always attractive, so don't be afraid to show off those pearly whites. Smiling is often associated with positivity, confidence, and friendliness, which are all desirable traits in a potential partner.
Studies have shown that people are more attracted to others who smile in their photos. According to Bumble, you're 14% more likely to be right-swiped if you smile because "you are signaling to people you are open and receptive."
Smiling can also make a person appear more approachable and trustworthy, increasing the likelihood of receiving matches and messages. Using a natural and genuine smile is important, as a forced or fake smile can come across as insincere.
Have problems smiling in front of a camera? Here are tips to help you create a natural smile in a photo:
Step 1: Have someone take your picture or use your camera's timer for a self-portrait.
Step 2: Look down at the ground.
Step 3: Think of something hysterically funny. It can be a joke, your kids, a pet, a life experience, a move, etc.
Step 4: As you start laughing, look up at the camera.
Step 5: Take a picture of yourself - this is how you capture an in-the-moment picture.
One of the best Bumble photo tips is smiling.
3. Look at the camera!
You should look at the camera in your photos because it can increase their likability and approachability to potential matches. Eye contact is a powerful communication tool that can help establish trust and connection.
Bumble found those facing forward in their profile picture are 20% more likely to be swiped in the right direction. Looking at the camera can convey a sense of confidence and engagement, which can be attractive to women.
Facing the camera also creates a sense of intimacy and connection. You're looking directly at the woman viewing your picture, and it appears you're making eye contact which makes you appear more approachable.
A common mistake for men on Bumble is looking away from the camera. It adds no benefit doing this - always look at the camera. Always!
Looking away from the camera doesn't connect with women.
4. Avoid selfies.
While selfies can be useful, try not to rely on them too heavily. Use photos taken by someone else to show yourself in a different light.
Get a friend to take your photos: It can be difficult to take good photos of yourself, but not impossible. If you can't find someone to take a picture, get a flexible tripod with a Bluetooth remote.
A flexible tripod is a great option for taking pictures yourself.
Flexible tripods are cheap and worth the investment. They allow you to take pictures that appear as if someone snapped the photo.
Selfies are bad because they can appear less attractive and less trustworthy than other photos. Selfies taken at arm's length can distort facial features and make a person look less attractive than they are in real life.
Additionally, selfies can come across as self-absorbed or narcissistic, which can be a turnoff for women. Bumble found 23% of singles surveyed find it a deal breaker when someone uses all selfies in their profile.
Studies have also shown that photos taken by someone else are more attractive than selfies. This is likely because these photos are better composed, better lit, and show the person in a more natural setting.
Selfies on Bumble get you 23% fewer matches.
5. Show off your interests.
Include photos of yourself doing activities that you enjoy. Anything from hiking to playing an instrument works - women want to see that you have hobbies and interests outside of work.
According to a study by OkCupid, people who have pictures of themselves doing something interesting have a 40% higher chance of receiving more messages. It's important to avoid using pictures inside your house or even the dreaded car selfie
Don't just use one photo in your profile. Use a variety of photos that showcase different aspects of your personality, such as travel photos or photos with your pets.
A diverse portfolio shows different aspects of your life, such as your hobbies, interests, and your social life. You never know what causes a woman to swipe right, so a variety of pictures will draw women in with similar interests.
A great Bumble photo tip is to share your interests.
6. Dress well.
Use photos that show you in your best light, including photos where you are dressed nicely and look put-together. It also shows you take pride in your appearance, which is an attractive quality to women.
I don't recommend suits or tuxedos - they are overly formal for dating apps. Choose less formal outfits.
Casual clothing works best for dating apps - OkCupid found "sophisticated outfits fared poorly." Simplicity is key for a good photo portfolio.
Another study found 81% of singles want to see casual photos in their match's profile. So no photos in the gym, for goodness' sake!
By dressing well in your photos, you're presenting yourself in a clean, put-together way, which makes a great first impression.
7. Keep it classy.
Avoid using photos in your profile that are inappropriate or overly revealing. Making a good first impression and coming across as respectful and gentlemanly is important.
All it takes is one bad photo for a woman to bypass you. Here are common mistakes men make in their choice of photos on Bumble:
- Pictures of yourself half-naked laying in bed or on the couch gazing at the camera seductively.
- Bathroom selfies. Seriously, don't use these.
- Pictures in the shower. Yes, men use these.
- Photos with excessive amounts of alcohol in them. These make you appear irresponsible.
- Pictures with messy hair or wrinkled clothing.
- Photos with cluttered backgrounds - especially in your house.
Men often say, "I think I look good in this photo," when they don't. You need some self-awareness of how you are presenting yourself.
Avoid using pictures in the bathroom.
8. Show your face.
Use clear, well-lit photos that show your face clearly. Avoid using photos where your face is covered or obscured - for example, motorcycle or ski helmets.
Showing your face builds trust with women viewing your profile. It shows you're a real person and not hiding anything.
One of the biggest blunders men make is wearing sunglasses in photos. Women want to see your eyes - Zoosk found people wearing sunglasses receive 63% fewer messages and also receive fewer likes.
You'll connect with more women who can see your eyes, so ditch the sunglasses. Sunglasses hide one of your best assets; your eyes.
Sunglasses prevent connecting with women.
9. Maintain a consistent look.
One of the least followed Bumble photo tips is to look the same in all your pictures. Consistency is critical for achieving success on the app.
Women are skeptical of men using outdated photos, so they'll get suspicious if you look different in photos. Below are examples of how you may appear different in photos:
- Long hair
- Short hair
- Clean-shaven
- Full on bear
- Bleached hair
- Different body types (heavy vs. thin)
When choosing photos for your profile, you want one consistent look throughout your portfolio. Anything else will raise a red flag for women who may think your photos are old.
For example, never use photos where one picture of yourself has long hair, and another has short hair. Women will think, "Which photo is current?" - Always maintain a consistent appearance.
10. Be you!
Above all, be authentic to yourself in your profile photos. Use photos that showcase your personality and interests, and avoid trying to be someone you're not.
Being yourself and showcasing your lifestyle are important for attracting the right matches on Bumble. You're more likely to attract women with similar interests and values, which boosts the likelihood of a compatible relationship.
Final Thoughts
Above all, the Bumble photo tips in this post allow you to be authentic to yourself. Use photos that showcase your personality and interests, and avoid trying to be someone you're not.
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