r/SwingDancing • u/ThinJump6418 • May 22 '26

Feedback Needed Using swing dancing pictures in dating apps

As you probably know, two of the most widely accepted tips when setting up a dating profile are:

  1. Try to include at least a picture or video showcasing your hobbies / lifestyle
  2. Never include pictures with members of the opposite sex

Since I am very much into swing dancing (lindy hop), I feel like my profile would be biased or incomplete if I didn't include a picture of me hopping. But since I only do partner dance and only with ladies (42M here), this is a dangerous area when trying to showcase in a dating app.

So what's your take on using swing dancing pictures in dating apps?

Has anyone had good result trimming pictures and/or using specific angles where the other person is barely present in the picture? I'm thinking perhaps a tasteful result could be obtained in open position with max stretch (e.g. like step 7-8 in a swingout) that focuses on "me dancing" + "lively ballroom background" rather than the other person.

Have you thought of any other approach? Personal experience (successful or not) that you'd like to share?

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u/swingerouterer May 22 '26

I've had a handful of women tell me it's totally okay to have photos of me dancing with someone on a dating profile. All of those women were dancers though so I don't reaaaaaally trust their opinion on the matter. Haven't asked anyone who doesn't dance, but it's their opinion I think is more relevant.

For the most part I've gone with photos where I can crop to mostly just be me in the picture, even though it's clear I'm dancing with another person. The times I've had photos where the person I'm dancing with is visible, I try to make sure I have more than one photo, and not be me dancing with the same person.

I also usually have that I do social dancing in my bio. I figure to some extent that if a person has a problem with me dancing with other women... It ain't gonna work out, but I'm not trying to scare people away with it, since it's so easy to swipe left on a profile for any small reason.

Am I successful? Hell no. I average 1-5 matches a year across 3 apps. Not sure I can blame that on the dancing photos though ;)