Are you frustrated that your online profile isn't filling your calendar with dates? Sam Yagan, founder of OKCupid.com, says that there is a science to using the right picture in your profile. After analyzing over 7,000 profile photos, Sam shares his tips for what type of photo yields the best results:

• "Everyone assumes that you have to have some big grin on your face, but it turns out it doesn't matter if you smile or not; it doesn't even matter if your face is in the picture! Everyone thinks you have to have this head shot that's so tightly cropped but you could be scuba diving, you could be up on a mountain or you could be a tiny spec in the picture and that's all OK."

• "It doesn't matter how pretty the picture is, what really matters is, does it start a conversation? Maybe you like to garden and there's a picture of you all muddy - that's great! Maybe you like to cook and there's a picture of you slicing strawberries. Whatever it is that reflects who you are and starts a conversation, that's the best picture for you."

• "Be careful with a flash. We've found that too much flash adds seven years of age to your attractiveness."

• "Pictures taken inside your home do really well - there's an authenticity of actually seeing where you live that really makes people want to send you a message. The only way to improve a picture taken in your home is to take yourself in the mirror. There's something even more authentic about a self-portrait that people really like."

• "While guys love looking at pictures of girls being flirty, they really like it if the girl is flirting with them. You want to shoot for making a flirty face right into the camera, not to another object in the picture."

• "For men, don't stare right into the camera. Women don't like men who stare at them in bars, and women don't like men who stare at them online! The best thing is for guys to look off camera, have a little dignity to themselves, and if you have a pet lying around, bring it in the picture - chicks dig puppies. And if you have good abs, show'em off because women love abs more than they love pets!"

• "Update your profile regularly. If you have a new hobby, a new haircut or a new look, you should definitely be getting that up there. It keeps your proflie fresh and interesting."

• "The biggest tip: Don't be afraid to show off what you've got. What we see as women get older is that they get more conservative - they start wearing turtlenecks, they start wearing longer dresses. But the older you get, the more credit you get from men if you show it off a little bit. If you're 45 and have a great bod, show it off!"

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Jamie K Photography

OKCupid.com