OurTime Photo Tips: Expert Advice for Better Dating Photos Over 50

Understanding OurTime Photo Preferences

OurTime users have different expectations than younger dating app audiences. Members value authenticity, warmth, and genuine representation over heavily styled or filtered images. Your photos should convey maturity, confidence, and approachability.

Research shows that OurTime profiles with natural, well-lit photos receive 67% more messages than those with overly edited or low-quality images. The key is finding the balance between looking your best and remaining authentically you.

The Foundation: Good Lighting

Natural Light is Your Friend

Natural light is the most flattering for mature skin. Position yourself near a window during the golden hours (early morning or late afternoon) for soft, diffused light that minimizes wrinkles and highlights your features naturally.

Avoid These Lighting Mistakes

• Harsh overhead lights: Create unflattering shadows under eyes and nose
• Direct sunlight: Too bright and creates harsh shadows
• Yellow indoor lighting: Makes skin appear sallow
• Backlighting: Turns you into a silhouette
• Flash photography: Washes out features and creates red-eye

Indoor Lighting Setup

If shooting indoors, position yourself facing a large window. Add a white poster board or bedsheet on the opposite side to bounce light back and reduce shadows. This simple reflector setup costs nothing and dramatically improves photo quality.

Camera Angles That Flatter

The Optimal Angle

For most people, a camera positioned slightly above eye level (5-10 degrees) is most flattering. This angle minimizes double chin appearance and makes eyes appear larger and more engaging.

Head Position Tips

• Slight forward lean: Reduces neck shadows
• Chin slightly out: Defines jawline naturally
• Turn body 30 degrees: More dynamic than straight-on shots
• Look toward the light: Ensures even facial illumination

Avoid These Angle Mistakes

• Extreme downward angles (too MySpace-era)
• Looking up at the camera (unflattering for everyone)
• Tilting head too far (appears unnatural)
• Profile shots as main photo (people want to see your face)

Background Matters

Best Backgrounds for OurTime

• Nature settings: Gardens, parks, hiking trails
• Clean home interiors: Bookshelves, living rooms
• Cultural locations: Museums, art galleries, theaters
• Activity settings: Golf courses, cooking spaces, hobby areas
• Travel locations: Memorable destinations

Backgrounds to Avoid

• Messy rooms or unmade beds
• Bathrooms (especially with toilet visible)
• Gyms (unless fitness is your passion)
• Bars or clubs
• Cars (unless it's a classic car hobby shot)
• Workplaces (can identify you)

What to Wear in Your Photos

Color Psychology for OurTime

Colors that photograph well and appeal to mature audiences:

• Earth tones: Browns, tans, olive greens
• Rich jewel tones: Burgundy, navy, forest green
• Soft pastels: Light blue, lavender, soft pink
• Classic neutrals: Black, white, gray (but avoid pure white)

Clothing Tips

• Solid colors over busy patterns: Less distracting
• Well-fitted clothing: Shows you care about appearance
• Timeless styles: Avoid trendy items that date photos
• Appropriate necklines: V-necks and scoop necks are universally flattering
• Layers add interest: Cardigans, blazers, scarves

What Not to Wear

• Clothing with logos or text
• Ill-fitting or baggy clothes
• Overly formal attire (unless that's your style)
• Athletic wear (unless in genuine activity photo)
• Anything stained, wrinkled, or worn

Posing Naturally

For Men

• Confident stance: Shoulders back, feet shoulder-width apart
• Hand placement: Pockets, crossed arms (loosely), or holding something relevant
• Genuine smile: Think of something that makes you happy
• Eye contact: Look directly at camera for main photo

For Women

• S-curve posture: Slight hip shift creates flattering line
• Hand positioning: On hip, touching hair, or holding something
• Genuine expression: Warm, welcoming smile
• Shoulders angled: Slightly turned rather than square-on

Universal Posing Tips

• Practice smiling in a mirror beforehand
• Take multiple shots - good poses happen naturally over time
• Relax your face between shots
• Think of happy memories to create genuine expressions
• Avoid stiff, uncomfortable poses

Technical Settings

Smartphone Camera Settings

• Use portrait mode: Creates professional background blur
• Clean your lens: Fingerprints ruin photos
• Use timer or remote: Avoid awkward arm extension
• Shoot in highest resolution: Better quality for cropping
• Enable HDR: Balances light and shadows

Photo Composition Rules

• Rule of thirds: Position face in upper third of frame
• Adequate headroom: Don't crop too tightly
• Consider orientation: Portrait for headshots, landscape for full-body
• Leave looking space: If turned, leave more space in direction you're looking

Editing Guidelines for OurTime

Acceptable Editing

• Brightness adjustment: Lighten dark photos moderately
• Contrast enhancement: Make features pop slightly
• Color correction: Fix yellow or blue tints
• Cropping: Improve composition
• Sharpening: Enhance slightly blurry photos (subtly)

Editing to Avoid

• Heavy filters: Especially beautification filters
• Dramatic skin smoothing: Looks unnatural
• Teeth whitening beyond natural: Appears fake
• Body reshaping: Misleading and obvious
• Background blur tools: Usually look artificial

Editing Apps for Subtle Enhancement

• Snapseed: Professional-level adjustments
• VSCO: Natural-looking filters
• Lightroom Mobile: Precise control
• AURA: AI-powered natural enhancements for dating photos

Photo Variety Strategy

Must-Have Photo Types

1. Clear headshot (Main): Natural light, genuine smile, looking at camera
2. Full-body shot: Shows your physique honestly
3. Activity photo: Demonstrates interests/hobbies
4. Social photo: With friends or at events
5. Travel photo: Interesting location with you visible
6. Pet photo: If you have pets (very engaging)

Photo Progression

Your 6-photo lineup should tell a story:

• Photo 1: Who you are (face)
• Photo 2: How you look (full body)
• Photo 3: What you enjoy (hobby)
• Photo 4: Where you've been (travel)
• Photo 5: Who's in your life (social)
• Photo 6: What makes you special (unique interest)

Common Photo Mistakes OurTime Users Make

Using Outdated Photos

Photos older than 12-18 months are outdated. Your matches should recognize you immediately when meeting in person. Using old photos destroys trust.

All Photos in Same Location

Variety demonstrates a full life. Photos all in your home or same location suggest limited activity. Mix indoor, outdoor, travel, and social settings.

Poor Photo Quality

Blurry, pixelated, or dark photos suggest low effort. Take time to capture quality images. If smartphone photos aren't sharp, consider having someone with a better camera help.

No Full-Body Photos

Omitting full-body shots raises red flags. Include at least one clear full-body photo. Honesty builds trust and leads to better matches.

Too Many Selfies

One selfie is acceptable, but a profile full of them suggests isolation. Ask friends to take photos, use a tripod with timer, or hire a photographer.

Seasonal Photo Updates

Refresh your photos seasonally to show you're active:

• Spring: Garden, outdoor activities, blooming flowers
• Summer: Travel, outdoor dining, recreational activities
• Fall: Foliage walks, harvest activities, cozy settings
• Winter: Holiday activities, indoor hobbies, winter sports

Adding 1-2 new seasonal photos every 3 months keeps your profile fresh and shows you're genuinely active on the platform.

Getting Help with Photos

DIY Photo Sessions

• Set up smartphone on tripod with timer
• Take 50-100 shots in different locations
• Vary poses, expressions, and angles
• Review and select best 10-15
• Edit subtly and upload

Friend-Assisted Photos

• Choose a friend with basic photography skills
• Pick 2-3 locations (indoor, outdoor)
• Bring multiple outfit options
• Take lots of candid shots while talking/laughing
• Review together and select favorites

Professional Photography

• Find photographers who specialize in mature clients
• Look for natural, lifestyle-focused portfolios
• Discuss your goals (dating profile, not corporate headshots)
• Budget $150-$300 for session
• Request natural editing only

AI Photo Enhancement

Tools like AURA can help improve existing photos:

• Enhance lighting and color balance
• Remove temporary blemishes subtly
• Improve sharpness and clarity
• Optimize composition through smart cropping

The key is maintaining your authentic appearance while presenting your best self.

Photo Testing Strategy

A/B Testing Your Photos

1. Upload your initial photo set
2. Track views and messages for 2 weeks
3. Swap out your main photo
4. Compare results after another 2 weeks
5. Keep the better-performing photo
6. Repeat process with other photos

Metrics to Track

• Profile views per week
• Messages received
• Quality of matches (shared interests)
• Likes or favorites received

Photo Safety and Privacy

• Don't show: House numbers, license plates, work badges
• Be careful with: Identifying landmarks, location tags
• Blur others: Friends' faces if they haven't consented
• Remove metadata: GPS location data from photos
• Use recent photos: But not ones posted on other social media (reverse image search risk)

Conclusion

Great OurTime photos combine technical quality with authentic representation. Focus on natural lighting, flattering angles, and genuine expressions. Avoid heavy editing and outdated photos. Show variety in your photo selection while maintaining consistent quality across all images.

Remember: the goal isn't perfection—it's authentic representation that attracts compatible matches who appreciate the real you. Take your time, experiment with different approaches, and don't hesitate to update your photos as you get better results.