How to take an ID photo at home
A phone photo is accepted by most online forms if it looks like a studio ID photo. That comes down to background, light and distance.
Background
Stand in front of a plain white or light wall, or hang a white sheet without creases. Stand a step away from it so your shadow does not fall on it.
Light
Face a window in daylight. Light from the front gives an even face with no shadows under the eyes and nose. Avoid a ceiling light directly above you and avoid a window behind you.
Camera
- Ask someone else to take the photo, or use a stand and the timer. Selfies make the nose look larger and the ears smaller.
- Use the rear camera at about 1.5 metres, at your eye level.
- Do not use portrait mode, beauty filters or wide-angle. Forms can reject edited photos.
You
- Face the camera squarely with your shoulders level.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
- Hair away from the eyes; both ears visible if the form asks for it.
- Wear a plain top in a colour that contrasts with the wall. White on white makes your shoulders disappear.
- Take glasses off if the rules say so, or tilt them slightly to avoid reflections.
Crop and resize
Take several shots and choose the sharpest. In the resizer, pick your form's setting and zoom until your head and the top of your shoulders fill most of the frame, with a little space above the hair. Then download the JPG at the required size.