We live in a world of visual gratification - high definition television, blu ray, style magazines, branded clothing, the latest phone technology. You are a commodity that needs to be marketed just like all these others and it starts with the picture.

What must a potential suitor or admirer think of a person who cannot be bothered to dress decently or do their hair and then be satisfied with a small, flash photograph taken with a mobile phone in the reflection of a bathroom mirror. 'That'll do' attitude definitely will not do. It speaks volumes and regardless of your own physical attributes, it says that I am too lazy and just cannot be bothered.

If you had to provide a photo for a job application for a position you wanted, would you put in the same little effort? Probably not. Definitely not. You would take the time and care to ensure you looked and presented the best you can be. If you were heading out for the evening, you would certainly take the time to make sure you looked your best.

Everyone has a friend who can use a digital camera. Get them to take 100, 200 photos with a decent background, indoors and outdoors. Let them be critical and give pointers and ideas as to how you should look. Make sure you are the subject of the photo and not that massive sofa in the front room. Ensure you are within 3 metres of the camera, long distance pictures are no use to anyone. From this portfolio there must be 5 or 6 decent pictures.

Avoid filling your photo portfolio with pictures of your holiday scenes, views from your back window and snaps of your dog rolling on the rug. It also doesn't help if you wear Jackie Onnasis sun glasses, scuba diving mask or sky diving helmet. Your potential mate wants to see you and not a lot of extreme sports equipment.

You also need to have the photograph focus on you and not the people around you. A picture of you and your son or daughter, and even your mother is not that helpful.