ID Photo JP
Tips for taking an ID photo with a phone
Light, background, posture, expression, glasses, hair and clothes — what to watch when taking an ID photo at home.
Photo tips
Seven tips for a good ID photo with a phone
You don't need any equipment. A bright window and a light-colored wall are enough.
Light
The most important thing is even light on your face.
- Face a window in the daytime
- Use the soft light of a cloudy day
- Turn the room lights on as well
- Standing with a window behind you
- Standing right under a ceiling light (shadows under the eyes)
- Direct sunlight or flash (hard shadows, shine)
Background
The app can replace the background with white, but the plainer it starts, the cleaner the edges.
- Stand in front of a plain white or pale wall
- Stand a little away from it so your shadow doesn't fall on it
- Patterned curtains or furniture behind you
- A background the same color as your hair or clothes
Posture and camera height
Camera at eye level, straight in front of you.
- Sit up straight and tuck your chin slightly
- Keep your shoulders level
- Fix the phone at eye level (lean it on a shelf)
- Shooting from below or above
- Arm's-length selfies (they distort the face)
Expression
A neutral expression is the rule.
- Mouth closed, relaxed face
- Eyes open, looking at the camera
- Smiling with teeth
- Blinking (the 3-shot burst helps you pick)
Glasses
Whether glasses are allowed depends on the office.
- If you wear them daily, tilt them slightly to avoid reflections
- Shoot where lights don't show in the lenses
- Tinted lenses or sunglasses
- Frames that cover your eyes
Hair
Your eyebrows, eyes and face outline should be visible.
- Keep your fringe above your eyebrows
- Move long hair behind your shoulders
- Show your ears if asked to
- A fringe over your eyes or eyebrows
- Hair covering the outline of your face
- Hats, masks and large accessories
Clothes
Contrast with the background changes the impression.
- A suit or collared shirt for résumés and job hunting
- Dark clothes such as navy or gray on a white background
- All-white clothes on white (the edge disappears)
- Big logos or patterns
If someone takes it for you
Step back and zoom in
Shot close up with a wide lens, a face looks rounder than it is. Stand 1–2 m away with the camera at face height. The guide is visible to the person shooting — just wait for the checks.
Use the rear camera
Switch cameras on the shooting screen. The rear camera usually gives a brighter photo.
3-2-1 auto-capture
When the checks line up it shoots by itself — no guessing when to press.
Retake advice
If the photo check finds a problem, it tells you how to fix it — "Move somewhere brighter" — and you can retake.
The office's rules come first
Rules about glasses, background color, hair and clothes differ from office to office. These are general tips; please check the office's instructions before you apply.
Download
Your next ID photo, on your phone.
No account. Install it and start shooting.