How to Look Good in Your ID Photo

Looking good in an ID picture isn’t an easy task. Creativity is not encouraged and the goal is to make the picture look as close as possible to your day-to-day look. However, there are tricks that can help you look better. 5-Minute Crafts will tell you all about them.

1. Dress appropriately.

• A passport picture is a close up of your head and shoulders. Wear something colorful to avoid looking like a floating head on a white background. A white shirt can make you look washed out.
• Pay attention to the neckline — if it’s too low, it can disappear in the photo, making you look naked. Wear something with a higher neckline.
• Don’t wear overly complex garments. Avoid shirts with prints or ruffles.
• Wear something different from your last picture to give them clear differentiation.

2. Mind your hair.

• Make sure you wear your hair as you usually do, a drastic difference here can make it look like it’s not your ID photo when it gets checked.
• If you’d like it to be very neat, plan your visit to the hair salon close to when you’re getting the ID picture taken.
• If your hair is long, make sure it doesn’t fully cover the straps or sleeves of your shirt as not to make you appear naked, and don’t let it cover your face.
• A bit of gel or mousse can be really helpful to keep flyaways in place, making you look tidier.
• Don’t let your hair cover your eyes or eyebrows, most places require your face to not be covered in any way.

3. Pay attention to your eyes.

• Remember to fully open your eyes for the picture, no more than you normally do, but don’t try to pose or look different. The more natural, the better.
• During allergy season or if you have a cold, your eyes may get dry and red. Applying a few eye drops just before the picture is taken can solve this.
• The rules for eyeglasses may vary. If you wear them every day, take them with you and ask if you should wear them for the photo.

4. Wear simple makeup and accessories.

• Don’t overdo your makeup. Avoid glitter and shine since cameras tend to make those look more dramatic.
• If you wear makeup every day, do it as you usually would.
• If you have a tendency to appear shiny and don’t want that to happen, apply some powder just before the picture. This can be especially useful on the nose and forehead.
• Don’t wear big earrings or necklaces since they can be distracting. Keep them simple and small.

5. Have a confident stance.

• Don’t hold your head up too high, bringing the chin forward. It will put your nostrils center stage and make the picture appear unnatural. But don’t hold it too low to avoid getting a double chin. Find a happy medium.
• Stand confidently and straight with your shoulders down and back, lining up your line of sight with the camera.
• Don’t tilt your head in any way and keep it centered so the picture comes out correctly.

Bonus

• Avoid dark circles or red eyes by getting good sleep the night before you get your picture taken.
• Follow instructions and ask for help. The workers know what is expected from the picture.
• Ask to retake the photo if you don’t like the first one.
• Don’t wear anything on your head, like a hat or sunglasses.