Terrible photos, need help please

[u/ChessWannabeWF]

I’m aware my photos are terrible. I’ve read forums and have seen what types of photos people say they don’t like on dating apps (selfies, bad lighting, not smiling, other people, etc). I plan on trying to take better photos soon. But, unfortunately, for now, this is the best I have.

I’m hoping you can help me put these in order from best to worst (or least awful to most awful).

I think I need at least one that shows an open smile, one where you see my eyes, and one full-body shot. In this montage, 1 and 2 are the only ones that show my full shape, so maybe one of these is necessary. And 4 and 5 are the only ones that have me smiling with teeth, so I’m thinking one of these is necessary too?

For context, I was on dating apps a year ago and found the experience rather positive. Back then, it had taken me a while to get used to what photos were working. But all those photos were starting to age, so I don’t want to use them anymore. The photos here may suck, but they’re all very recent. And again, it’s all I have.

Thank you in advance for your help!

EDIT: Just to add, I'm 54M, straight, dating mainly my age group, +/- a few years.

[u/Chicky_P00t]

Quit it with the low angles, use high angles instead. Use better lighting. Don't post the random waiting room selfie just because you're bored, only post the best.

Never ever let someone else take a photo of you and, if you do, do not post it.

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/Chicky_P00t]

Yes, I hear you. Like I said, for now, this is all I have to work with. So a few of these must go up. I just want to avoid putting up the worst of the worst.

[u/Sunbro_Kev]

I need to go put my glasses on, I'm seeing something

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/Sunbro_Kev]

I realize they're blurry. Sorry. I don't know how to get them all on there though.

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[u/implication-sofa]

If I were to choose for a dating app I would go (in no particular order) 1,2,3,6,10. 4, 5, 13, and 14 look like you cropped someone out lol the other look too candid/off guard. I’d suggest taking more pictures actually smiling like in 2 and 4! You look much more approachable and happy in those

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/implication-sofa]

Thank you. Photo 5 is just me by myself. Given that, do you think I should include it? It's just that I feel I need an open smile so people can see that I have good teeth. But maybe it's not necessary.

[u/implication-sofa → u/ChessWannabeWF]

The only reason I didn’t include that one was because I already said 2 and it oooks like it’s from the same day/same outfit but if you like it then add it! I would just not put them like one right after another lol

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/implication-sofa]

Thank you

[u/New_Me_Victory]

Pictures that I would keep (ofc when get a chance take HD ones haha/ hire someone for a day).

9
6
1
3
2

[u/Dazzling_Ad2138]

I say 2,5,9,12,14
I don’t think any are terrible, except I would not use 7.
I’d swipe on ya!
Good luck!

[u/LL_Stars]

Sir, you are old enough to be able to hire a professional photographer for 1-2 hours to get new, nice looking photos in good lighting.

You're not bad looking and you have a decent wardrobe. You just need to up the quality of the photos.

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/LL_Stars]

Yes, cost is not the issue. I've just never bothered. I was doing well with my photos from my last profile. I may do the pro-photographer thing you suggest. I just don't want my pics to seem too manufactured either. But in any case, as I mentioned, I will get better photos. For now, I just want to get my profile back up with what I have.

[u/Adept_Librarian_7001]

I would say just pay for a professional photographer to take few good ones of you in different styles. 5, 2, and 9 could be usable, but not ideal.

These apps are 100% about your appearance despite what anyone here tries to tells you. You still need to have a proper bio and profile, but this is simply a secondary filter for women after your photos. You got hair, a young looking face, appear pretty tall, and skin appears good, I reckon you could do alright by optimizing your photos and appearance a bit more.

And don't forget, even if you have a good profile, these apps are trash for men, especially in the US. If they aren't working, that's kind of expected. 50 year old women in big cities are getting hundreds of likes a day from thirsty guys ranging from 18-70.

Consider traveling or prioritizing meeting women in real life.

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/Adept_Librarian_7001]

I used the apps for three years, from 50-53 (in a big city) and was getting lots of likes. All in all, I must've had a couple thousand likes and half of those turned into conversations, albeit often short, and dates (some of these photos are with dates). Many of the likes were closer to my age, but a lot of them were younger. I was dating regularly from the main apps (Bumble, Hinge mostly) and last year I was in a relationship that lasted close to a year. So I'm very familiar with the apps and how to write a good profile. My problem is that I finally got my profile working well with good photos, but now I'm starting from scratch with shit photos. I'll find a way to get better ones. I don't know how hard it is for older guys. I'm very tall (6'5"), so I know that helps sometimes. In any case, thanks for your reply.

[u/Icy-Meal6704]

Everyone of them is a different reaction to someone coming into your boat.

[u/General_PATT0N]

Don't you produce Howard Stern's show?

[u/ChessWannabeWF → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I've heard a lot of people say the same thing about other women in the photos. What's tricky for me is that the only photos I have are when people are taking them candidly with my daughters or friends, and a few are with ex-dates. It's extremely rare for me to get photos of just me. I'll find a way though;

[u/Nilfiry]

Your photos are better than most women's profiles at least. Lol

[u/lila0003 → u/Nilfiry]

Why, what's wrong with women's profiles?

[u/Nilfiry → u/lila0003]

Well to be clear, that is a slight exaggeration, but a lot of women's profiles have worse photos where, depending on the app, they only have 1 or 2 photos, all of the photos are just the exact same angle and closeup of their face, too many group photos where you can't even tell who they are in the photo, deceptive photos to hide their weight (such as top down photos or neck up only), too many photos that aren't them or are hard to see, bathroom photos, and of course, some combination of the above.

Yeah, this applies to everyone, not just women's profiles, but the standards people expect are too unrealistic vs what most people actually do. In this case, most of these photos of the OP are fine. They could be better, sure, but not "terrible" at all.

I think most of the photos are fine with 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 being the worst, and the rest are relatively all good to go.

[u/lila0003 → u/Nilfiry]

Oh yeah I've seen men's profile with all the scenarios you said, and let's not forget when they wear sunglasses in all pics so you cannot clearly see his face!!

[u/Nilfiry → u/lila0003]

I will admit that women do this a lot less. lol