Your MAGICAL photo... putting your best foot forward

I've been on various dating sites for more than 15 years and I've seen some really beautiful women and their many photos. Usually, the best ones are studio work... professionally done. I've known a few women who have paid a few hundred dollars for a group of photos, often with borrowed clothing from the photo studio wardrobe room.

Naturally, these photos and the aura created by the photographer and crew cannot be matched. Their special photo (or group of photos) had perfect makeup and lighting.

Unfortunately, many women aren't ready to move on from the appearance they once had and continue to lure men with outdated magical photos. I've seen this scenario hundreds of times. I've also seen a radical difference in a 10 year old photo and a recent photo.

If you're honestly looking for a mate, a primary photo that is more than 10 years old should be retired or... put in the back part of your collection.

I see this in the professional world too. Stopping by an open house to see how some of the other (up for sale) neighboring condos are presented. A realtor handed me her card. I would not have recognized her comparing her business photo to what she looks like now. Sure... we all change and sure, she probably ordered 5,000 color business cards a few years ago and has to use them up.

Dating sites are different. Luring someone in with a great shot only to see totally different 'real world' photos would probably be a turn-off to the person who came to read your profile.

I look at it this way... If you are putting your best foot forward, be sure the other foot is strong enough to stand on.