Photography Guide 2025

Master the Perfect ID Photo

Your photo is the single most critical factor for ID authenticity. Follow this comprehensive guide to create a studio-quality photo that passes all verification checks.

Start Guide Quick Checklist

Photo Requirements Summary

Critical specifications for ID photos that pass manual review on the first submission.

Camera Type
Rear camera only (16MP+), no selfies
Lighting
Natural window light, no flash
Background
Plain white/grey, 3-4 ft distance
Expression
Neutral face, no smile, eyes open

People Also Ask About ID Photos

Why do so many photos get rejected?
The #1 cause of rejection (65%) is poor lighting—shadows on the face, uneven illumination, or harsh flash. The second most common issue (20%) is blurry or low-resolution images from using digital zoom or selfie cameras. Following our lighting and equipment guidelines ensures 99% acceptance rate.
Can I just take a selfie with my phone?
No. Selfie cameras create fisheye distortion that warps your facial proportions and have lower resolution than rear cameras. Always have someone else take your photo using the phone's rear camera, or use a tripod with self-timer positioned at eye level.
What time of day is best for taking ID photos?
Late morning (10 AM - 12 PM) or early afternoon (2 PM - 4 PM) when natural sunlight is bright but not harsh. Avoid early morning or late afternoon when light is too warm/orange, and overcast days actually work well for soft, even lighting.
Can I edit or filter my photo before submitting?
No filters or beauty mode! Our design team handles professional retouching. Using filters, skin smoothing, or face tune creates unnatural textures that are easily detected and will result in rejection. Submit your raw photo exactly as captured.
What happens if my photo is rejected?
If rejected, you'll receive an email within 24 hours with specific feedback (e.g., "too dark," "blurry," "glasses glare"). You can resubmit a corrected photo immediately through your account dashboard. This delays production by 1-2 days, so getting it right the first time saves time.
01

Camera & Equipment

You don't need a professional studio. A modern smartphone is capable of capturing the high-definition detail required for premium IDs.

Smartphone Requirements

  • Rear Camera Only: Never use the selfie camera. It distorts facial features (fisheye effect) and has lower resolution.
  • No Digital Zoom: Zooming reduces quality. Move physically closer instead.
  • Clean the Lens: A smudge can ruin focus. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth.
  • HDR Mode: Enable HDR to balance lighting and shadows automatically.

Forbidden Equipment

  • Webcams: Too grainy and low resolution for professional IDs.
  • Scanned Photos: Scanning a physical photo creates Moiré patterns that look fake.
  • Filters/Edits: Do not retouch, smooth skin, or apply Instagram filters. Our team handles professional retouching.
02

Perfect Background

The background must be seamless and clean to allow for precise cropping and replacement.

Correct Correct White Background

Plain White/Grey Wall

Smooth texture, even lighting, no objects in frame

Incorrect Bad Background

Cluttered or Textured

Brick walls, curtains, or visible furniture make editing impossible

Shadow Elimination Secret

Stand 3 to 4 feet away from the wall. This distance acts as a buffer, ensuring your shadow falls on the floor behind you rather than on the wall visible in the photo.

03

Professional Lighting

Lighting makes the difference between a real ID and a fake one. Shadows are the enemy.

Natural Light is King

The best source is a large window on a sunny day (but not direct harsh sun).

Face the Window

The light should hit your face directly. Do not have the window behind you (backlight) or to the side (half-shadow).

The "Flash Warning"

Never use the built-in camera flash. It creates:

  • Red-eye effect
  • Oily/shiny skin spots
  • Harsh black shadows behind your ears
  • Unnatural skin tones that fail verification
04

Expression & Clothing

Your appearance must match official ID standards for biometric verification.

Neutral Face

Mouth closed, eyes open. Look straight at the lens. No smiling, no frowning. This is a biometric requirement for all official IDs.

Glasses Off

We highly recommend removing glasses to avoid glare. If you must wear them, frames cannot cover eyes and NO tinted lenses.

Contrast Clothing

Wear dark colors (Navy, Black, Grey). Do not wear white or light beige as it blends into the background.

Photo Submission Statistics

99.2%
Acceptance Rate
(following this guide)
65%
Rejections Due to Light
(most common issue)
24hrs
Photo Review Time
(manual inspection)
15min
Average Setup Time
(with this guide)

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Final Quality Check

Review this checklist before submitting your photo to ensure maximum success rate.

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