At Photofeeler, we rate dating photos for three core traits:
- Smart
- Trustworthy
- Attractive
Attractiveness is obvious. But why is trust so critical in dating?
Let’s break it down with 3 facts and tips you can use right now to boost your match rate.
Fact #1: Trust = safety (especially for women)
“Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.” – Margaret Atwood
Women worry about safety. A lot. Even when chatting with someone who seems kind. Ask any female friend and they’ll give you the rundown.
That’s why photos that come across as cold, aggressive, or unfriendly are major red flags — and often lead to zero matches, no matter how good-looking he is.
To look safer and friendlier:
- Smile gently (both sides of the mouth).
- Use bright, natural light.
- Show your eyes (no sunglasses indoors!).
- Have one photo with friends, so she knows you get out into the wild.
Fact #2: Trust is a good indicator of long-term potential
People interested in a relationship are looking for indicators that a person is principled and reliable. Will she cheat on me? Will he be caring and kind to me for the long haul?
A trustworthy dating photo says, “This person might be kind, loyal, and emotionally safe.”
Fact #3: Accidentally looking like a cheater (or axe murderer) is easier than you think
It’s actually way easier to look untrustworthy than you think. In fact, tons of online daters are sending this signal accidentally. For instance, most men who look threatening in their dating pics aren’t aware that they do.
There’s a scientific explanation for that.
We use different parts of our brain when we’re looking at pictures of ourselves vs. pictures of other people. That means, when we look at a photo of ourselves, we’re literally not seeing the same thing that other people are seeing.
The truth is, we have too much information about ourselves to see ourselves objectively. We know we’re not scary or mean. So when we see a picture of ourselves, those possibilities don’t even cross our minds.
For strangers without context, neutral expressions equal coldness. They are risky in pictures because they can be interpreted in so many ways, depending on everything from what your body language is doing to the lighting to the viewer’s mood when they see your picture.
I’m not saying you can’t pull off a non-smiling picture, but you’ll definitely need to test it on Photofeeler to be sure it’s not sending antisocial messages you don’t intend.
And of course, the safest bet of all is to smile.
How to instantly look more trustworthy in dating pics
Finally, here are some bonus tips for anyone looking to dial up their trustworthiness in pictures.
For Men:
- ❌ Avoid pictures where you’re shirtless in your bedroom, as these typically make women feel uncomfortable by coming across as predatory.
- âś… Aim for well-lit, casual, smiling photos
For Women:
- ❌ Avoid kissy or duckface expressions, which some men associate with women who cheat.
- âś… Aim for warm, candid photos with genuine expression
For Men and Women:
- ❌ Avoid overtly sexual gags or imagery (e.g. raunchy t-shirt slogans, props).
- âś… Look at the camera
- âś… Smile with your whole face (not a smirk)
- ✅ Showcase your dog or cat in a situation where it looks like both of you are having fun. (No matter how good you look in the picture, if your animal appears to be struggling to get away, it won’t give the right impression.)
- âś… Show yourself being responsible (hobbies, work, travel)
- ✅ Showing yourself caring for anything — an animal, a child, or a boat — can boost your trustworthiness. Just not your ex; don’t post a photo of you caring for someone of the opposite gender.
Aaaaand that concludes our best tips for appearing more trustworthy in your dating profile photos.
Use them responsibly and we’ll see you on Photofeeler to test your next set of photos!