My 6-Photo Blueprint for Dating Apps to Triple Your Matches

So, you’re a great guy with lots going for you, but you can’t seem to find success on the apps and aren’t getting many high-quality matches? You might be thinking it's how you look, or maybe it's just your location; however, chances are it's the photos you’ve used to build your profile. 

I'm Hunter, and after helping thousands of guys, I've learned it's not about being the best-looking man on the app, it's about having the best profile. Your photos need to tell a story and trigger an emotional response. I'm going to teach you how to be the director of your own story.

Your dating profile pictures will make or break your success on the apps, which is why it’s so important you put time into curating the perfect set of photos. 

Through my experience, I’ve narrowed what your photos must communicate down to three basic things, which will increase the vibe you give off in your photos and make a potential match more likely to swipe. Most importantly, you need to communicate trust and safety, or the “He’s not a serial killer” test. Your potential matches need to see your face clearly so they know the profile is legit. 

You also need to show emotional range in your profile. You’re not just one thing, so your photos need to show you can be fun, serious, relaxed, and adventurous, to create intrigue. 

Finally, you need to showcase a lifestyle and personality that your match wants a piece of. Your matches should be able to imagine having fun with you, and you need to give her a glimpse of what dating you would look like. 

However, these are just the absolute basics, and choosing your dating profile photos is so much more than these three factors. Keep reading for my ultimate blueprint to help take your dating profile to the next level and start getting the matches you want.

My Quick Wins Before We Start (The Non-Negotiables) 

Before I give you the full 6-photo blueprint, let's fix the non-negotiables. The apps themselves tell you what works, and based on this, I’ve established several non-negotiable rules that I use no matter which app I’m using. 

Applying these base rules before diving deeper into building your profile will set you up for success, as they are designed to maximise the effects of the app and help you to build the best profile possible. 

Rule 1: Your First Photo is a Solo Face Shot: No excuses on this one. Many girls determine whether they will match with someone based on their first photo, so you need to give her the full picture from the beginning. Bumble’s rules and all best practices agree: no sunglasses, no group pics, no hats obscuring your face. They need to see you clearly in 0.5 seconds, as this will determine how they view the rest of your profile. 

Rule 2: Use the App's Own Tools: This is free data, and you’d be stupid not to use it. Turn on Tinder Smart Photos and Hinge's 'Top Photo' to see what works, and build your profile around this. Tinder's own data shows this can boost matches by up to 12%. Let the algorithm do the work for you, while you enjoy all the matches you make. 

Rule 3: Fill Your Slots with Variety: Hinge requires at least 4 photos, and Bumble recommends 6. I say use all 6 slots on every app, but make sure that all of them are different. You need to showcase all aspects of your life and personality, so using six identical headshots will set you up to fail. 

Rule 4: Get Verified: There’s not much to explain here: just do it. The blue check on Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble is a massive trust signal. It takes two minutes and tells her you're not a catfish and are someone who’s worth investing her time in. 

The 6-Photo Blueprint: My Proven Roster for Success 

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, it is time to dive into the nitty-gritty aspects of building a profile. I’ve put together a 6-photo blueprint for photo curation that has given me proven results. By following these rules, your profile will showcase your best self and curate a vibe that will be hard to swipe no on. 

Photo #1: The Perfect Portrait (The Trust Builder)

Your first photo is the most important, which is why it needs to be perfect. This should be a clean portrait that clearly and attractively shows your face so she immediately feels comfortable and trusts who you are. 

My Blueprint for Success: 

• Lighting: Natural light is your best friend and can drastically change how a photo turns out. Face a window or shoot outdoors during the "golden hour" (just after sunrise or before sunset), but make sure to avoid harsh overhead light.
• Composition: Aim for a chest-up or head-and-shoulders shot. Don't be too far away, as she needs to see your features clearly. 
• Expression: Your expression will set the tone of the photo. A subtle, confident smile or a warm, relaxed look is the best choice to show you are a confident guy. No intense, forced "cheese" smiles, as this can be off-putting.
• Your Vibe: Show yourself in your element to truly showcase what you are like day-to-day. Take a look at my example of pouring tea in Japan. It shows my face and a hint of my personality, without being overbearing. 

Mistakes to Avoid: Steer clear of selfies (especially in the car or bathroom), photos with hats AND sunglasses, blurry pictures, or group shots as your first photo.

Photo #2: The Animal Lover Shot (The Green Flag)

One of the most commonly thrown around terms in the dating world these days is “green flag.” These are positive indications to a girl that you’re someone she wants to go on a date with, and what’s more positive than showing you’re good with animals? A shot of you with an animal shows your softer and more nurturing side, showing her you’re kind, responsible, and approachable. 

My Blueprint for Success:

• The Interaction: The photo must show a genuine connection, so don’t just pose randomly with a friend’s pet. Ideally, you should be playing with the dog, cuddling it, or having it lick your face to show that you enjoy the interaction and aren’t just doing it for the photo. 
• Focus on the Moment: Focus on having fun with the dog instead of looking at the camera. This makes the photo feel candid and authentic.

Mistakes to Avoid: Try not to use someone else's dog and look awkward, or select a photo where the dog looks scared, or where the animal is the only thing in focus.

Photo #3: The "Badass" or Edge Shot (The Attraction Spike)

It’s a tale as old as time; most girls like a little bit of a bad boy, so why not use this to your advantage in your dating profile? To break the “nice guy” pattern and show a hint of masculine edge and confidence, I recommend adding what I like to call the “edge shot.” This creates polarity in the profile and spikes attraction and interest. 

My Blueprint for Success:

• The Vibe: The vibe of this photo is about confident, relaxed dominance. I use a photo of me posing with a cigar on my profile, and it’s my most liked image on Hinge! Women like to see a bit of edge, so you riding a motorcycle, leaning against a cool car (that's yours), or a well-shot photo in a leather jacket shows that you aren’t just a “nice guy” all the time. 
• Expression: You’re trying to give off a cool, relaxed vibe, so a smirk or a serious, thoughtful look works better here than a big smile.
• Lighting: More dramatic lighting can work well here to add to the edgy aspects of the image. Think moodier, evening shots, and subdued lighting to add to the masculine energy of the image. 

Mistakes to Avoid: Don’t try too hard, as girls can see right through this. Holding a weapon, throwing gang signs, or scowling at the camera are all major no-nos. If it feels like a costume, it will fail. It needs to be authentic to you.

Photo #4: The Passion/Action Shot (The "He's Interesting" Hook)

You aren’t a one-dimensional person, so it's crucial you show your interests and hobbies in your profile. Not only is this a great conversation starter, but it shows girls that you’re interesting and have a fulfilling life outside of work and Netflix. 

My Blueprint for Success:

• The Action: Capture yourself in the act of doing something you love, rather than just posing before or after. This could be you celebrating a goal in hockey, focused while playing guitar, dropping into a wave on a surfboard, reaching a mountain summit, or plating a dish you've just cooked. Showing you actually doing the activity is more authentic and demonstrates a real passion of yours. 
• Energy is Everything: When it comes to passion, energy is everything. My photo celebrating a hockey goal works because it radiates positive, triumphant energy. My client Philip's boxing shot shows intensity and discipline. The emotion in the photo should be authentic to the activity and show it's something you truly care about. 
• The View: If your passion involves the outdoors, showcase it! There’s nothing girls love more than an aesthetic photo, so use this to your advantage. A shot of you with a stunning landscape in the background (like my cowboy hat on the mountain photo) shows a sense of adventure and a life beyond the city.

Mistakes to Avoid: Stay away from the dreaded shirtless gym selfie in a mirror - trust me, she will have seen hundreds of these on the apps already. Show the action (e.g., lifting the weight, mid-pullup), not just the posed result. Also, avoid the generic "guy holding a fish" photo unless it's a 300lb marlin, and that's your actual lifestyle.

Photo #5: The Date POV Shot (The "I Want to Be There" Photo)

This photo is a new addition to my blueprint, and it's a game-changer. It might seem a bit strange at first, but its purpose is to help her visualize what an actual date with you would look and feel like. It lowers her guard and makes the idea of meeting you feel familiar and exciting, and shows her what she can expect when she goes on a date with you. 

My Blueprint for Success:

• The Scene: Choose an aesthetic, desirable date location. Think of a cool third-wave coffee shop, a rooftop bar with a view, or a stylish cocktail lounge. Order lattes, cocktails, or a charcuterie board for the table to set the scene and add visual interest to the photo. 
• The Perspective: This photo must be shot from her Point of View (POV), to really show her what being on a date with you is like. Have your photographer or friend sit directly across the table from you and take the photo from their eye level.
• Your Vibe: You should be looking towards the camera (her) with a warm, engaged expression. Act as if you’re in the middle of a great conversation; you're relaxed, confident, and enjoying the moment. This is proof that you're not just some random guy on an app; you're a man who knows how to create a great date experience.

Mistakes to Avoid: Don’t look at your phone in the photo (this is surprisingly common). Additionally, avoid being in a boring or unappealing setting (so no fast-food joints), a forced or fake smile, or poor, dark lighting that kills the ambiance.

Photo #6: The Social Proof Shot (The "He's Normal" Test)

Finally, we have the social proof photo. This is super important! Women are 70% less likely to flake on a date if they see you with friends. The purpose of this shot is to show you have friends and a fun social life. This makes you seem trustworthy, well-adjusted, and less of a risk.

My Blueprint for Success:

• The Scene: This should be a candid-looking shot with 2-3 friends. A restaurant, a rooftop bar, or a casual get-together is the perfect setting to show you and your friends in your element. 
• Your Role: You should look like the center of the fun and someone your friends love being around. I have a great shot of me with friends at a restaurant, lifting our glasses for a toast. Laughing, telling a story, or being actively engaged is key.
• The Look: You need to show that your personal standards never drop. Make sure you're still one of the best-dressed and most prominent people in the photo to draw her eye to you and  show that you’re well-established in your group of friends. 

Mistakes to Avoid: Absolutely no photos with only you and one other woman, as she'll just assume it's an ex. Also, stay away from huge group photos where she can't find you and blurry bar photos from 10 years ago, as this makes including the photo pointless. 

How I Order Photos for Maximum Impact 

In the same way that an art gallery or museum is super specific about how they order their exhibits to create a certain narrative and vibe, so too is the importance of you ordering your six photos on your dating profile. 

You want to be telling a specific story with your photos, so being strategic with how you order them is extremely important. I’ve broken down the roster order you should be using and my strategic logic behind each photo’s place in the lineup to help you understand this better. 

The Roster Order:

1. The Perfect Portrait: This must be the first to build trust. 
2. The Passion/Action Shot: Immediately shows your interesting side and hints at your personality. 
3. The "Badass" or Edge Shot: Spikes attraction and creates polarity, encouraging her to keep viewing your profile. 
4. The Date POV Shot: Allows her to visualize a date with you, creating intrigue and desire to talk to you. 
5. The Social Proof Shot: Confirms you're a normal, social guy, and someone she should spend time with. 
6. The Animal Lover Shot: Ends on a memorable, high note of warmth and creates a space for her to start a conversation. 

My Strategic Logic (in brief):

• We start with Trust (Portrait). 
• Then we build Interest (Passion/Action). 
• We create Attraction (Edge Shot). 
• We inspire Aspiration (Date POV).
•  We provide Safety (Social Proof). 
• And we end with Kindness (Animal Lover)

It's a full emotional journey in six photos that tells a complete story of who you are and what going on a date with you will look and feel like. 

Pro-Tip: Always enable Tinder's "Smart Photos" or Hinge's "Top Photo" to let the algorithm optimize your photo order for you and push your best-performing photos. 

Your Next Move: DIY or Work With a Pro? 

Your dating profile is your personal brand. These six photos aren't just random pictures; they are a strategic portfolio designed to build trust, create attraction, and start conversations. Now you have the blueprint, so what next? It’s time to start creating and building this profile so you can start getting the matches you deserve. 

Right now, you have two paths forward….

The DIY Route: You can take this exact blueprint, grab a friend with a new iPhone, and spend a day shooting these photos. If you follow my guide, you will see a significant improvement in your match numbers and the quality of your matches. However, you might find yourself a little lost here and unsure of how to pull all these photos off correctly. 

The Pro Route: If you want to skip the guesswork and work with a team that has turned this into a science, that's what we do at Wingman Plus. Our photographers are trained on this exact system. We'll handle the lighting, locations, and coaching to make you look your absolute best. If you're ready to get serious, apply to work with us here. We can help you take photos that won’t just collect dust in your camera roll; they’ll help you build a personal brand and attract the matches you’ve been looking for.