The smallest adjustments can make a big difference in how your photos are perceived on profiles and Photofeeler. From tweaking the lighting to experimenting with different angles or poses, being mindful of these details can improve your photos significantly.

While some may feel the need to book a new photoshoot right away—and we absolutely support that—the key often lies in refining your approach for future shoots.

This article offers tips on what to watch out for next time you’re in front of the camera and highlights how minor changes can create a major impact. By being more intentional during your next shoot, you can ensure that your photos truly capture your best self.

Click below to jump ahead:
How do I know if I need to take new photos or improve the photos I already have?
What are some small changes that make a reasonable difference in scores?
Other Takeaways

How do I know if I need to take new photos or improve the photos I already have?

Some unchangeable aspects of photos do warrant a new photo session, such as sunglasses, crowded backgrounds, unwelcoming facial expressions, or awkward shadows. Those factors aren’t immediately changeable, requiring a retake– but they’re all things to remember when taking new pics.

In general, the following photos tend to perform less than satisfactory on Photofeeler:

• Selfies from awkward angles: below eye level, above eye level
• Photos with anything blocking a clear view of your face: hats, bandanas, hair, sunglasses, etc. (not including regular glasses)
• Mirror photos
• Photos with a member of the opposite sex
• Photos with harsh sunlight or shadows
• Photos with inauthentic-looking smirks, faces, or actions
• Photos of Shaquille O’Neal (He’s so tall, his face is always cropped out of the pics. No face = bad Photofeeler score. Sorry Shaq! 🏀)

What are some small changes that make a reasonable difference in scores?

There are so many factors that play into a high-scoring Photofeeler shot. If you’re already scoring decently well and need to boost a trait or two, check out our FAQ; we cover each trait individually for business, social, and dating photo tests.

Outside of that, we sent our photo coach on a special mission– try anything, test everything, and see what truly matters regarding minuscule photo tweaks. Here’s the gist:

1. Lighting

It’s crazy how much lighting can change what we look like.

Notice the shadows on the forehead and across the face in the first shot—they distract from the subject and add nothing to the photo. The second shot has diffused lighting, no harsh shadows, and no insanely bright highlights. We can see the subject better and clearer, resulting in a significant jump in scores.

One rule of thumb with lighting: A photo is more often too dark than too bright. You’ll know if your photo is too dark if you get comments like:

Conversely, if a part of your photo looks pure white (washed out), you’ve lost all the details in that area, and they can’t be recovered with editing. This often happens when the light is behind you, making the subject appear as a silhouette or the image too bright.

While it’s easier to recover details from darker parts of an image than overly bright ones, increasing the brightness of a dark photo can lead to pixelation (the fuzzy little parts in the second picture, sort of like grain). The darker the photo, the more likely it is to lose quality when adjusted (see below).

Do you have a darker photo that you love? Try lightening it up and retesting it to see if your scores improve.

If you plan to retake pics, check out our free Photofeeler University Course: Understanding Lighting, to learn about lighting basics and easy-to-follow tips.

2. Eye Contact

Studies show that profile photos with direct eye contact create a stronger connection with the person in the pic, leading to higher Trustworthy scores.

This is exceptionally important in online dating, where trust is vital to securing matches and dates. Nobody wants to meet someone who looks unapproachable. If you’re getting this Note…

…then try a shot where you’re looking at the camera.

For business profile photos, eye contact conveys competence and security. It screams, “I know my stuff and I’m not afraid to show it,” leading to more connections and opportunities. Notice the 1-point Competent score increase in the second photo below. It pays to connect with the camera.

3. Posture and Positioning

There’s a reason why body language is heavily researched and taught in business mentorships– it sends signals of power, confidence, and influence.

In the above photo, nothing changed besides his posture, but his scores increased significantly.

Sagging shoulders, hanging faces, and awkward hand positioning communicate nervousness and insecurity. A strong posture, holding your head high, and firm handshake speak volumes in first impressions– photos are no different.

Try to change up your pose and posture if you’re getting Notes like:

4. Facial Expression

Outside of selfies and mirror pics, this is the main reason your photos may not be scoring high on Photofeeler. But here’s where it gets even more interesting…

For women

In women’s dating photos, smiling consistently leads to higher ratings across all three key traits.

But in a women’s business photo, smiles tend to improve Likable scores but can hurt Competent and Influential scores.

If you’re receiving a lot of Notes like the one below, try experimenting with soft smiles.

Here are some examples of high-scoring, smiling business photos with women as the star:

For men

Smiling in male dating photos matters a lot to women. It’s the difference between high and low Trustworthy scores– which women report as a top factor in whether they’ll swipe right.

Notice how as his smile gets bigger, so do his Trustworthy scores, landing him more dates and attracting more attention on the apps.

For business, smiling tends to boost likability without harming Influential or Competent scores. Not smiling can lower the Likable score but doesn’t tend to increase Influential or Competent scores. Here are two examples of high-scoring business photos for men:

5. Cropping

If you’re getting Notes like…

…then you need to crop in. People connect better with you when they can see your face clearly, without zooming in.

When in doubt, try cropping the photo so you’re the main subject without a lot of extra space, especially if it’s clear you’re cropping someone out.

This doesn’t mean all your photos need to be half-body. You always want a full-body photo somewhere on your profile, just keep it tasteful and intentional.

Other Takeaways

Each of our three photo test categories (Business, Social, and Dating) rates three different traits. For a full-spectrum, uber-comprehensive view of your favorite picture, test it in all three categories—you’ll be surprised what there is to learn about your photographic impression.

Check out how this photo performs across all categories:

And one more with a female-subject:

Now that you’ve got the insider’s scoop on little tweaks, you have the power to make big changes. Better matches, stronger connections, and genuine engagement are all within your reach.

Test your new photos now and watch the right people take notice!