HOW TO TAKE YOUR PICTURE
1. Find a plain white wall, door, or hang a sheet to use as a background. We can remove backgrounds if you have straight hair. Otherwise we require your photo to have a plain white or off-white background.
2. Face the camera. Do not turn your head to either side or tilt your head up or down. Keep your eyes open. Put your arms to your sides and keep your body facing forward. Have a natural facial expression. Normal, unexaggerated smiles are fine, but unusual facial expressions and squinting are not acceptable. Make sure your hair is not covering any part of your eyes.
3. Use the flash - we can remove background shadows if they occur. Set your camera to the highest picture quality setting. Take the picture with plenty of room above and below the head. Make sure both shoulders are in the picture. Be sure the face is in focus.

Note: If you are taking a picture of a baby, lay him or her on a blanket and take the photo from above. For children, please make sure their arms are down. You may hold their arms down if you need.
EXAMPLES
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T H E G U I D E L I N E S
YOUR PHOTO MUST BE:
- Recent – No older than 6 months
- Wear normal street attire
- In color
- Not taken with a cell phone or web camera
- Taken with the largest/highest setting on your camera
- Face in focus
- Without shadows on the face – use the flash
- Avoid red-eye
- Head positioned directly facing the camera
- From the chest up
- With space above the head and at least 12 inches under the chin
- Both shoulders in picture
- Front view of head and body – not
twisting to the side
- Eyes open and looking at the camera
- If you choose to wear glasses, please tilt your head slightly up or down to avoid glare
- Include headpieces if worn daily for religious purposes; please make sure they do not cover the face or cast shadows
- Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily
- Dark tinted glasses should NOT be worn unless you need them for medical reasons
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