Buzz
When it comes to responding to a guy's photo in today’s flirting scene, your reply holds significant weight—but what's the right approach? Your answer hinges on your level of interest in the guy and the type of photo he sent (a wholesome selfie or something more risqué?). Don't worry! We've compiled a handy manual for all these scenarios to assist you in flirting back (or politely declining) like a seasoned pro. If you're prepared to respond to a guy's photo with assurance, read on.
Procedures
If it’s a charming picture and you're interested…
“You’re incredibly handsome!” A straightforward, sincere compliment is always a winner. Let him know he looks great or highlight a specific aspect you admire, such as his tattoos or facial hair. According to Dating Coach John Keegan, 'try to be specific [and convey] there's a reason you appreciate them. You want to articulate that reason.' Men appreciate compliments deep down, and you're sure to bring a smile to his face.
- “Your tattoos are amazing!”
- “You’re absolutely adorable!”
- “Your beard is looking sharp today 🧔🏾♂️💯”
“Wow! Looking sharp there.” Acknowledge his great looks while leaving room for him to return the compliment. Let him know you find him attractive, opening the door for him to reciprocate with flattering words. Keep the tone light and playful—too much self-deprecation can be awkward.
- “I wish I could pull off an outfit like yours! Lol”
- “I’m amazed someone as handsome as you is texting me 🥰”
- “How do you manage to look so good this early? I’m barely awake before 11AM”
“That outfit suits you perfectly.” Compliment his sense of style or fashion. Dating coach John Keegan suggests that praising a guy's style is 'a nice gesture, it's like saying 'I see you'' without solely focusing on physical appearance. This is a subtle way to flirt without getting too intimate or making comments about his body if you prefer not to.
- “That watch is fantastic. Where did you get it?”
- “Only you could rock that pattern!”
- “You look really handsome in that shirt 🙂”
“Your eyes are captivating.” Highlight what you admire about his eyes, smile, or the happiness radiating from him. Men don’t often receive compliments about their smile or eyes, so seize the opportunity to make him feel special. The more specific you are, the more genuine it will seem. If you'd rather not focus on appearance, dating coach John Keegan recommends saying 'you have really soulful eyes,' or 'you have really intelligent eyes.'
- “Your eyes are even more beautiful than the sunset behind you 😍”
- “Your smile lights up the room!”
- “You look so joyful! It's contagious 😊”
“Those colors suit you so well 🙂” Express your admiration for the colors in his photo, whether they're in his attire or the background. Even though you're not directly commenting on him, he'll interpret it as a compliment and blush. It's also a great way to keep the conversation flowing.
- “That shirt is fantastic. Mint green is one of my favorites!”
- “I’m envious you're at a lavender farm! Purple is my favorite.”
- “Pink looks great on you 😉”
“Someone's been hitting the gym, huh?” Flatter him with a comment about his physique, even if his photo was meant to be more innocent. He'll appreciate the attention and feel confident that you find him attractive. If you're interested in receiving more risqué photos in the future, this is a good way to gauge his response.
- “Wow! How often do you work out? 💪”
- “You’re clearly doing something right at the gym! You look amazing!”
- “Alright, Mr. Fitness! Lookin’ good 😉”
“Love the photo! Let me share what I’m up to.” Compliment him and take the chance to send him a cute selfie or a flattering photo of yourself. Keep the vibe positive to keep him engaged and demonstrate your interest. If his photo was innocent, make sure yours is too.
- “Hey there! That looks way more exciting than my current situation…”
- “Adore your photo. Here’s a little something in return 😊”
- “Hey handsome 😍 I see your selfie and raise you one bathroom mirror pic in portrait mode!”
“I never get tired of seeing you.” Say something sweet or romantic about his picture to convey that your admiration is heartfelt as well. If your relationship is budding, this is a subtle way to indicate you're open to progressing things further. Tailor your message based on how well you know each other—“You complete me!” might be too intense if you've only been talking for a short time.
- “This picture just brightened my day 🙂”
- “I love it when you send me spontaneous selfies, lol”
- “A photo of you always lifts my spirits.”
If it’s an innocent picture but you’re not feeling it…
“Nice! Where are you off to?” Send a message like this to remain friendly without leading the guy on. This is especially useful for male friends who might be harboring romantic feelings for you. Include a question to keep the conversation casual and steer away from the photo.
- “Looks like fun! Where was that taken?”
- “Cool! Is that your outfit for Jen’s party?”
- “Oooh nice. Having a good day?”
“You’ve got great taste.” Send a generic compliment or observation to acknowledge the photo and move forward. Offering a compliment without being overly suggestive indicates you want to maintain a casual relationship with the guy, even if you're not romantically or physically interested.
- “Lookin’ sharp! 😎”
- “Seems like you’re having a blast!”
- “Nice choice of outfit.”
“I’m blessed with such a handsome friend!” Use the term “friend” to establish boundaries and clarify that you're only interested in friendship. If he's been dropping hints about his feelings for you, this is an opportunity to politely communicate your stance. You can still offer compliments or kind words—just ensure they remain platonic and friendly.
- “Why are all my friends so good looking!? 🔥”
- “Nice outfit, buddy!”
- “Hey pal! Lookin’ sharp.”
“Anyone would be lucky to have you.” Acknowledge a friend's desirability while subtly indicating that you're not interested romantically. It's a tactful way to convey your lack of interest without hurting his feelings or diminishing his self-esteem. Encourage him to go out and mingle with others, signaling that you're not the one he should pursue.
- “Uh oh! Watch out, ladies.”
- “You won’t be flying solo for long with that look!”
- “Looking good! You'll have a special someone in no time.”
“Nice?” Respond with a disinterested question if a stranger sends you an unsolicited selfie, indicating that you're surprised and unimpressed. Keep your response brief and detached to communicate that you're not interested in further interaction. This type of reply might come off as too indifferent if the picture is from a friend or acquaintance.
- “Umm?”
- “Was that meant for me?”
- “Ok??”
“Nice picture.” Send this concise message to maintain politeness without conveying any romantic interest. Hopefully, your brief response will convey the message that you're not interested, prompting him to stop pursuing any romantic notions. While it may seem a bit chilly, it's necessary to be clear about your intentions.
- “Cool.”
- “Good shot.”
- “That’s nice.”
- End your message with a period to strike the appropriate tone. In text or DMs, periods can be interpreted as formal, insincere, or conversation-ending.
If it’s a risqué photo and you approve…
“Are you trying to tease me? 😉” Acknowledge playfully that his photo is meant to provoke a reaction from you. Pose a flirty question about his intentions or simply admit that his strategy worked. Such remarks pave the way for further playful banter (and perhaps more photos).
- “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re trying to stir things up 😏”
- “Well, consider my curiosity piqued 👀”
- “Are you attempting to get me all riled up now?”
“How am I supposed to concentrate now?” Stroke his ego by expressing how his picture has captivated your attention (in a positive way)—he’ll enjoy knowing he's on your mind. This indirectly communicates your attraction and openness to receiving more photos in the future.
- “Sleep is definitely out of the question now!”
- “This picture will be a delightful distraction during my meeting 😏”
- “Studying is impossible with stunning photos like this constantly popping up!”
“You’re incredibly attractive.” Be direct and let him know you find him attractive! He'll appreciate a compliment on his appearance, and knowing you're attracted to him may boost his confidence in pursuing you. Focus on something specific—his physique, muscles, or charm—or simply tell him he's hot. You can't go wrong!
- “Why must you be so attractive!? 😫”
- “Is it hot in here? Or is it just you?? 🥵”
- “Your physique is amazing 💪🔥”
“Nice choice of towel 😜” If he sends a shirtless photo to flaunt, playfully tease him by commenting on something other than his physique. It could be his shorts, something in the background, or even his hair. This keeps the playful exchange going and adds a bit of intrigue as he tries to impress you.
- “I like your shorts 😉”
- “Lol, your mirror could use a wipe, buddy”
- “I can’t help but notice your…unmade bed!”
“Wish I could lend a hand with that 😈” If he sends a suggestive photo, feel free to compliment him on it or express what you'd do if you were together. A vague, coy response adds to the tension. If you want to indicate you're up for it, opt for something more explicit.
- “If I were there, we’d be doing more than just talking.”
- “Could definitely use a hand…🧐😉”
- “Now I'm stuck here imagining what I'd do to you…”
“Now it’s my turn…” Respond in kind by sending your own photo if you feel comfortable. Chances are, he was hoping for a reciprocal gesture anyway. Only share what you're at ease with—just because he sent a full nude doesn’t mean you have to reciprocate. A glimpse of your underwear or a playful snap in a towel will suffice!
- “Check out what I’m rocking 😘”
- “Two can play this game…”
- “Hold on, let me show you the real deal 😈”
“I’m not ready for this yet.” If you like the guy but aren’t ready to exchange nudes or explicit photos, it’s perfectly fine to express that! Let him know you’re not comfortable yet, or that you were anticipating an in-person revelation instead. If he values your connection, he’ll respect your boundaries and adjust accordingly.
- “I like you, but I prefer taking things slow.”
- “I can’t deny I’m intrigued, but I envisioned seeing this in person first.”
- “Nudes aren’t really my thing yet. Can we dial it back for now?”
If it’s an unwanted explicit photo…
“Wrong recipient!” Inform a friend or acquaintance that they’ve sent their photo to the wrong person, signaling that you weren’t anticipating such content from them. This gives them an opportunity to claim it was a mistake (even if it wasn’t) and potentially alleviate any ensuing discomfort.
- “I think you may have messaged the wrong person.”
- “I’m not sure this was intended for me…”
- “Maybe double-check who you’re sending these to!”
“I prefer you fully clothed.” If you’d rather maintain a platonic relationship with the sender, simply convey that sentiment. Make a remark that places them back in the realm of friendship, indicating that you enjoy their company but aren’t interested in pursuing anything beyond that.
- “Too much information!”
- “Hey, this isn’t really my thing.”
- “No offense, but I’d rather keep our relationship platonic.”
“Looks like someone’s got too much time on their hands…” Send a sarcastic remark to convey your disinterest in what he's sending. It might come off as harsh, but a blow to his ego could deter him from sending more inappropriate pictures in the future. Don't stress about crafting the perfect comeback—putting an end to the behavior is more crucial than being witty.
- “Seriously?”
- “Did you think this would impress me?”
- “I'm sure you could find better things to do.”
“No, thank you.” Get right to the point and let him know you're not interested in receiving any more flirty or explicit pictures. It might seem blunt, but it leaves no room for misunderstanding. Hopefully, he'll take the hint (which isn't so subtle) and refrain from sending any more unwanted pictures.
- “Nope.”
- “Not interested, thanks.”
- “Thanks, but no thanks!”
“Well, that concludes our conversation.” Assertively end the conversation to send a clear message. If he hasn't grasped the hint by now, this will demonstrate that you're serious about not wanting such pictures (or that type of relationship). Be sure not to engage further.
- “Goodbye!”
- “I think it's time to end this chat.”
- “Okay, conversation over.”
Tips
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Emojis are generally seen as friendly and playful, so use them only if you're interested in what he's sending. If you're trying to put an end to it, skip the emojis.
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You're not obligated to respond to a guy's picture. If you're uncomfortable, unsure how to respond, or simply not interested, ignoring it can convey your message.
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If a guy persists in sending explicit photos, and you identify his behavior as sexual harassment, block his number, report his profile on the dating app he's using, or take appropriate legal action to stop the behavior.
