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Some Houstonians hiring professionals for online dating profile pictures

With dating websites getting better at making perfect matches, more people are turning to them to find love. But that also means people are stepping up their game to make a good first impression.

With dating websites getting better at making perfect matches, more people are turning to them to find love.

But that also means people are stepping up their game to make a good first impression.

They say love is a many splendored thing. They also say love is a battlefield.

If that’s the case, maybe you should at least be armed with some good pics.

Lisa Appleby has been single for 3 years and is on some of those popular dating sites.

“I'm very picky, well-educated,” she said. “I have really terrific job. I've traveled extensively, so there's a certain type of person that I'm looking for."

As for her own profile, she's not settling for anything amateur and wants an upgrade.

“Being in marketing and advertising, I understand the power of having put your best foot forward, and using a professional photographer is the way to do that instead of just taking a bathroom selfie,” she said.

Professional photographer Al Torres says when he shoots profile pictures, he gets results.

“Lots of people, lots of people. We've had -- two off my head I know for a fact -- got married, and they said it was because of (my) images we got married,” he said.

Torres has been a pro photographer who knows a few things about taking a picture. He's captured images of some of high-profile Houstonians and knows photography inside and out.

“If you're going to do a cell phone, don't do a selfie. Have someone else do it for you,” he said. “Don't use the flash. We want to use as much natural light coming from behind as possible so we don't have a lot of shadows. Do a high angle…Don't do a straight angle shot. You want to do a slight angle and a slight elevation. That'll ensure a great profile."

As for Appleby, she's armed with a new profile, looking for love in all the online places.

Torres says you can get this done professionally for as cheap as $200. He has one more tip if you’re using your cell phone: When it comes to filters, less is more.

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