A good ID photo: how to prepare

Want your ID photo to look natural and flattering? Good preparation helps us take a photo you will be happy with. Choose simple, neat clothing. Solid colours that contrast with a light background work best.

Before your visit to the studio:

Choose the right clothes

Choose simple, neat clothing. Solid colours that contrast with a light background work best.

Best avoided:

• very light clothes, especially white ones;
• very bright colours;
• large patterns and lettering;
• clothes that cover much of your neck and face.

You don’t need to dress up: what matters most is that your clothes match the way you look every day.

Take care of your hair

Style your hair the way you usually wear it. Your hair should not cover your eyes or face.

If you have a longer fringe, style it beforehand so that it doesn’t fall over your eyes.

Get ready the way you normally would

If you wear make-up, go for a natural look. Avoid trying new cosmetics right before your visit.

If you have facial hair, there is no need to change it. The photo should show how you look now.

If you are planning a change of look, such as shaving off a beard or getting a new haircut, have the photo taken after the change, so that it is up to date and accepted by the authorities.

On the day of your visit

Prescription glasses

Don’t wear your glasses for the photo.

This avoids reflections and the risk of the photo being questioned by the authorities.

If you wear glasses every day, you can of course bring them along and take them off just before the photo is taken.

To avoid the risk of the photo being rejected, glasses have to come off before the photo is taken. This also applies to glasses with anti-reflective lenses.

If you wear coloured contact lenses that change or enhance your natural eye colour, please take them out before the photo as well. The photo should show your natural appearance, including your natural eye colour.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses must always be taken off before the photo.

If you are unsure about the requirements for a particular document, ask us before the photo is taken: we will help you get a photo that meets them.

Jewellery

Before an ID photo, it is best to take off large or eye-catching jewellery, especially big earrings, necklaces or accessories that could cover your neck or part of your face. Small, delicate jewellery is usually fine, as long as it doesn’t change how your face looks or cause reflections.

Also avoid jewellery that may reflect the flash or cover your ears, if the requirements for your document say your ears must be visible.

Look fresh

Before your visit, it is a good idea to:

• get a good night’s sleep;
• lightly mattify your skin if it tends to look shiny;
• check that your hair doesn’t cover your eyes;
• tidy up your hairstyle;
• make sure you look neat.

It is also worth arriving a few minutes early, so you can get ready for the photo without rushing.

At the studio

You don’t need to know how to pose.

Before we take the photo, we will help you position your head and shoulders correctly. We will also take care of the right lighting and framing.

During the photo, remember a few simple things:

• look straight into the lens;
• keep your head straight;
• keep a natural, relaxed expression;
• don’t tilt your head;
• don’t worry if the first shot isn’t perfect.

We will take the photo in line with the requirements for your document.

What to avoid

For a photo that looks natural and meets the requirements, avoid the following before your visit:

• very heavy make-up;
• hairstyles that cover your eyes or eyebrows;
• large, eye-catching patterns on your clothes;
• very light clothing that may blend into the background;
• experimenting with your look right before the photo;
• head coverings, unless there is a justified exception.

The most important thing

You don’t need to know how to look in an ID photo. That’s what we are here for.

Make sure you look neat and natural, and come without glasses. We will take care of the positioning, lighting, framing and the photo itself.

See you soon!