Main photo
Lead with your face
- •One clear solo shot, eyes visible, no cap or sunglasses.
- •Smile with your eyes, not just your mouth.
- •No group photos first, nobody wants to guess.
- •Ask a friend to choose it, we pick badly for ourselves.
Profile tips
How to create the best profile
On Mingle you meet on video within minutes, so your profile only has one job: look like the real you, on your best day. Ten minutes of tidying up here changes who says yes.
Lighting
Light your face, simply
- •Face a window. Front light beats any filter.
- •Never sit with a bright window behind you.
- •Skip overhead-only light, it shadows your eyes.
- •Soft daylight or a lamp bounced off a wall works.
Framing
Get the angle right
- •Lens at eye level, never below your chin.
- •Hold the phone at arm's length, not close up.
- •Head and shoulders, small gap above your hair.
- •Turn slightly off-square, then look at the lens.
Surroundings
Tidy beats impressive
- •Plain wall, bookshelf, or a park. Clean and calm.
- •Clear the bed, laundry and bathroom mirror shots.
- •Skip car selfies and gym mirrors as your first photo.
- •One photo out doing something you actually do.
Grooming
Sharp, not styled
- •Fresh haircut, beard trimmed and edges tidy.
- •One well-fitted shirt or tee, no logos shouting.
- •Fit matters more than brand or price.
- •Recent photos only, this month, not five years ago.
Bio with intent
Three lines, done
- •Line 1: who you are and what you do.
- •Line 2: one specific thing you love doing.
- •Line 3: what you're looking for, said plainly.
- •End with an easy question they can answer on the call.
Works
Carpenter, ocean swimmer, terrible at chess. Weekends are the Bondi to Bronte walk then a proper coffee. Looking for something long-term with someone kind and curious. Best local swim spot?
Falls flat
Just ask. 6'1 if that matters. Not into games.
On the call itself
- •Test camera and mic a minute before, not during.
- •Headphones stop echo and make you easier to hear.
- •Say their name and smile in the first ten seconds.
- •Ask one open question, then actually listen.