by N. D. Guerre

Created on: June 22, 2008   Last Updated: July 02, 2008

In a world moving toward electronic introductions, such as dating sites, blogging networks and interactive social sites, we are forced to learn new skills. The most successful are those who represent themselves well. Adding a photo, your glowing, well portrayed smile, can make all the difference between success and failure and it's worth your time and effort to make it the best.

Here are 5 tips to help make your image an asset, not the liability that a poor representation could be...

Honesty
Nothing is more of a turn off, not to mention dishonest, than to post a 10 year old photo on a profile. Even a great picture does more harm than good if it doesn't look like who you are today. Use a recent photo (6 months or less), and if you have changed your hairstyle, grown or shaved off that facial fuzz, or gained or lost weight, take a new one. Photos are most effective when they accurately portray you. The last thing you want to see, when you meet this person, is a look of disappointment.

Flattery
Angle matters. In a full body shot, point your feet at the lens, turn your body one quarter away from it, turn your head slightly over your shoulder in the other direction, look back at the camera and SMILE.

If that sounds like a sadistic form of "Twister", just look at models in magazines and you'll understand. Do relax, however, as you don't want it to look posed or flaky. Just keep moving and take many shots.

For a face shot, don't look straight into the camera. You'll look like a celebrity mug shot. Shoot from just above and to the side. When you find which side is your best, play with that and take many from slightly different angles. A degree or less CAN make a difference.

Simplicity
Wear something simple so as not compete with that beautiful face. Leave the tiara back at the ball and the cowboy hat on the ranch. This is about YOU, not your accessories. Your creativity is better expressed in the written portion of your introduction. Light colors are usually more flattering as dark ones can add a quality of gloom.

Apply any make-up carefully and don't overdo it. Black and white or sepia photos are often more complimentary and get more attention in a crowd.

You don't have to sport a big goofy grin, but an authentic smile is worth a thousand words. Something about a smiling face that we all find hard to resist.

The background is best slightly out of focus, plain and in contrast to your face. No one wants to know what's back there, only that it isn't any part of you. Be careful of

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