Coffee Meets Bagel Photo Checklist

List the purpose of each slot (hero headshot, full-body, career-in-context, hobby/lifestyle, social-but-not-party, travel, pet/values, action shot, close-up detail). This prevents duplicate vibes and ensures coverage of ambition and values.

Write a short, specific icebreaker for 3–5 photos (e.g., “Ask me about the conference I presented at”) to pair with images and prompt conversation on CMB’s prompt fields.

Scout 3 backgrounds that read as professional or lifestyle (clean office, coffee shop, neighborhood park) and avoid bars/party scenes that undercut the platform’s tone.

Verify current file size, allowed image types, and count limits in the app so you don’t waste time editing the wrong dimensions.

Pick a 60–90 minute window in the morning or late afternoon for soft, flattering light that works for headshots and full-body shots.

Shoot facing a large window or outdoors in open shade and use a white reflector or light-colored wall to reduce harsh shadows for a polished look.

Mount on a tripod or stable surface and use a 3-second timer or Bluetooth remote to avoid blur and get consistent framing for multiple takes.

Frame head-and-shoulders with a focal length equivalent that avoids distortion and keeps facial features natural for trustworthy first impressions.

Use the phone’s HEIC/RAW or the camera’s highest JPEG quality so edits preserve detail and cropping for CMB’s square display.

For each setup, capture 6–12 frames varying expression and head tilt so you can choose the most authentic, approachable shot.

Bring one smart-casual outfit (blazer + tee), one business-casual (button shirt), and one lifestyle look (clean knit or jacket) so photos cover career and relaxed context.

Select colors that contrast with your background and avoid loud patterns or logos that distract from your face and story.

Trim facial hair, check teeth, and apply minimal touch-ups (blot shine) so headshots read as detail-oriented and professional.

Include a single subtle prop (briefcase, laptop bag, conference badge) in one or two photos to signal ambition without bragging.

Skip nightclub, alcohol-focused images, and heavy filters that conflict with CMB’s quality-curated audience.

Make your first photo a well-lit, eye-level head-and-shoulders shot with a genuine smile; this image drives clicks on CMB’s limited exposure.

Shoot a natural-standing full-length image from about 10–15 feet to show posture and style; this builds trust on a platform that values substance.

Capture a candid-looking photo of you in a work environment (presentation, co-working) to subtly show ambition without a trophy pose.

Show you doing a hobby or volunteering to demonstrate interests and values that resonate with quality-minded matches.

Include at most one tasteful group photo and never as your first image so viewers aren’t confused about who you are.

Adjust exposure, contrast, and remove temporary blemishes while avoiding heavy smoothing or dramatic filters that reduce authenticity.

Crop images to square and preview thumbnails to ensure faces remain centered and readable in small previews on the app.

Place the hero headshot first, followed by full-body, career-in-context, lifestyle, and then interest shots to guide match impressions logically.

Use photo captions or CMB prompts tied to particular images (e.g., travel photo caption: “Ask about the best conference city I’ve visited”) to spark replies.

Export optimized files respecting CMB file-size guidelines and retain the high-resolution originals for future edits or updates.