Whether you are looking for your life partner, just friends, or friends with benefits, don't you think it would be better if your photo revealed a glimpse of your personality?

You're looking for a new friend or maybe even someone with whom to "tie the knot," but you have not found the “right one” as yet. Like so many other young people of today, you turn to an online dating site to begin your search. The site says your chances of response improve greatly if you submit a photo. So you attach that passport size photo, or that low quality cell phone photo your friend made when you weren't really looking your best. Why not? You ask. It's good enough for this purpose.

Is it really? Think again. Here you are looking for your life partner or a new friend or someone to share good times with. Don’t you think it would be better if your photo revealed to the viewer a glimpse of your personality?

Often it so happens that the person who originally shot the photograph was just a friend who got a brand new digital camera, or a cell phone, who goes around snapping photos of everyone. Rarely does a regular Joe go to a fully professional photographer to get a proper portfolio clicked for posting on a dating site. Where is the time for taking all that trouble? And often the end result is a photo which:

• shows your dark circles a little too prominently.
• makes your complexion come across as quite a few shades darker or lighter than it actually is!
• maybe the marks of that long forgotten teenage bout of acne are a little too jarring!
• is of such a low quality or so dark that nobody can really see what you look like at all.
• you are left with a photo with “red eyes”, which make you come across looking scary.

Remember, the first impression, is sadly enough, in more cases than not, the last one. You may feel that if a person judges you by your looks only, and does not take into consideration your personal tastes and opinions as reflected in your profile, that person may not be a suitable partner. People might claim that it's what's on the inside that counts, but most people won't even look at a dating site profile if there is no picture. A good profile picture is of immense importance if you are looking for a like-minded person with whom you want to share anything at all.

The simplest option is to resort to photo retouching. Retouching adds an artistic touch that enhances the subtle charm of your appearance. There are numerous professional services available online who will do the job for a reasonable fee.

Or, if you are a pro and have the time, you may consider purchasing photo retouching software and adding those finishing touches yourself. There are many tutorials available online to help you with your project. You may also share tips and tricks with other digital artists.

Go ahead, put your best face forward and flaunt your finest profile!