If you are having a date looking to have a long-time relationship, you want someone attractive. And if you are having a date looking to hook up, you want someone attractive. So it makes no difference at all.
Unless you are looking for a friend. But then "date" is not the word that I would use.
Or even more, you might change your taste for attractiveness over time.
Then, I know nothing about dates, been for 14 years with my wife and I met her when I was 20, so take everything with a lot of salt.
Some features that are attractive also can't be represented in photos (movement behavior).
