Why don't people have pics of themselves on their profiles. Rhetorical question. I have a hard time trusting or taking someone serious who can't put a pic of themselves up. I'm funny like that.
Some of us get creeped out being shopped for by strangers judging us like a piece of meat. If my use of a humorous avatar, (which DOES reflect something key about me, by the way), upsets someone whose primary criterion is looks, then I consider myself lucky to weed them out before we waste each other's time.
Also, seeing a personal photo is NO guarantee that it is an accurate representation of the person posting it., but the viewer will figure things out.
Of course looks are important. If have never fallen in love with someone l wasn't attracted to. We might be good friends, and that's fine too, but that's it. You might have the greatest figure and and a great personality, but if l don't love your face, nothing. I'm not talking perfection. I have been crazy about women who would not be considered beautiful, but something about their looks got me. If someone is on the site hoping to meet someone, the photo matters. If here for community only, l don't think it matters. ☺