More people are hiring professional photographers for their dating profiles

As the online dating world becomes increasingly competitive, Australian singles are pulling out all the stops to ensure their profile stands out from all the rest.  

And one of the fastest growing trends so far is the use of professionally taken photos – and Yoram Pohl, from Melbourne, helps many of them capture the perfect snap with his business Swipe Photography.

‘The most common reason for why people receive low match rates is the use of photos that are not current, age-related or clear,’ the 36-year-old told FEMAIL. 

BEFORE: Nadia Vickery, 28, is a performer who decided to use Yoram’s services as the photos she did have weren’t very clear or very flattering

AFTER: ‘With the professional photos I was receiving more “serious” requests in the sense that they were not just a casual call, and more often they were from people I felt I could connect with better,’ she said

Nadia Vickery, 28, is a performer who decided to use Yoram’s services as the photos she did have weren’t very clear or very flattering.

‘I wasn’t really getting a lot of matches or approaches or anything like that but within days of the photos being uploaded I was noticing more approaches,’ she said.

‘The approaches I was receiving before were usually more casual requests or from the kind of people I didn’t have a lot of interest in.

‘With the professional photos I was receiving more “serious” requests in the sense that they were not just a casual call, and more often they were from people I felt I could connect with better.’

Yoram also helped Nadia ensure she was putting together the most eye catching account possible. 

He helped her decide on which old photos she should keep and which ones she should get rid of.

This meant she had a combination of both professional and unprofessional photos so that her account came across as genuine.

The 28-year-old isn’t the only person that Yoram has helped out, with the photographer also taking photos for  Dane Gade, a 26-year-old Environmental Health Officer.

BEFORE: Dane Gade, 26, an Environmental Health Officer, has also had his photos taken my Yoram

AFTER: ‘In fairness, my dating profiles were a bit of a dog’s breakfast. So, I decided to take a different approach. Being an average guy of average build, I didn’t know where to start,’ he said

Dan decided to use Yoram’s services when a friend told him having only selfies on his dating accounts wouldn’t get him matches.

‘In fairness, my dating profiles were a bit of a dog’s breakfast. So, I decided to take a different approach. Being an average guy of average build, I didn’t know where to start,’ he said. 

‘A friend suggested the route of the professional photo. I thought I’d have a good old Captain Cook and check out what all the fuss was about.’

Dane had his photos taken a couple of years ago now but as soon as he put them on his profile he said he noticed he had more matches. 

Not only that, but he found women would actually ask questions about the photos, so they were a good conversation starter.

‘Before I would have to make the first move. The conversation didn’t really go anywhere. After though, the conversations flowed. It was nuts,’ he said.

Dane had his photos taken a couple of years ago now but as soon as he put them on his profile he said he noticed he had more matches

‘I always thought that the chiselled guys with the six packs got spoken to first, not someone like me whose six pack is in their esky. But, the photos brought out my personality, which I think helped a lot.’

Dane went on several dates after the shoot was done and he still uses one of the photos for his LinkedIn account.

So how can you become as successful as Nadia and Dane on dating apps? Yoram has shared his best tips.

‘The first thing others notice over anything else, is the quality of a photo. People are quite judgemental, especially with social media today, and swiping left or right is instantaneous,’ he said.

‘Moving away from underexposed images where eyes can’t be seen well (including sunglasses) to well-focused shots greatly increases match rates.’

‘Lighting is key. Look out for distractions behind you, which takes someone’s focus elsewhere,’ Yoram said

Lighting is another key aspect of successful profiles and Yoram said you want to look out for distractions behind you, which takes someone’s focus elsewhere. 

‘A genuine smile that reflects being approachable and friendly, goes a long way too,’ the 36-year-old said. 

Yoram said it’s important to put a strategy in place as everyone has a different story to tell. He recommends taking the time to include two to three intriguing or fun aspects into your life, as using variety is key.

Use no less than five photos and ensure you are keeping things authentic.

‘Having been on and off dating apps for eight years, my biggest mistake was using and rotating photos that were not current,’ he said.

‘People know what the deal is, and if you’re looking different across the photos you choose, they are going to swipe left.’

Yoram said it’s important to put a strategy in place as everyone has a different story to tell

Age also plays an important part in who you match with as Yoram said someone under 28 lifestyle may have hook ups or a relationship on the mind, where those over 28 might be swayed more towards settling down. 

Choose what you wear and what you post to reflect your goal and to attract the right person.

‘If it is a relationship; grooming, clothes you wear, and posting something classier will do wonders,’ he said. 

‘With online dating, you only get one chance to impress, as once someone passes on you they do not show up again. Many of these people will be potentially great matches who you have swiped right on.

‘If you really are looking for a relationship and frustrated with being single, you need to put that prep time into your profile beforehand.’