1 Research Ct., Ste 450, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
DIGITAL PHOTO REquirements
Image Size & Resolution Quality
- Photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches (600 pixels x 600 pixels)
- Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width). Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600 pixels (height). Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height).
- Photo must be sharp and in focus. It should not be grainy, pixelated, or have visible printer dots.
- Avoid scanning or taking a picture of a printed photo since this may lower printer quality.
- Select the highest quality resolution.
- Sending an image by text will lower the resolution quality.
Composition: Background, Head, and Shoulders
- Stand several feet away. Leave a little extra room around your face. You can crop your photo when you upload it.
- Background needs to be solid white with no shadows, texture, or lines.
- The full head and the shoulders should be visible. The top of the hair must be clearly visible.
- The bottom of the photo should include the edge of your shoulders near where they connect to your arms.
- Center the head within the frame. Face the camera directly and look straight ahead into the camera.
Size of Head and Eyes in Frame
- The top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin must be between 50% and 69% of the image's total height.
- The height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm - 35 mm)
- The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height.
- Make sure the eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
Lighting
- Lighting should be even without shadows on the face and on the background.
- Lighting must be balanced. One side of the face cannot be bright while the other side has shadows.
Posture and Expression
- Face the camera with a neutral facial expression.
- Eyes must be fully open and looking into the camera.
- The head should not be tilted.
- Avoid showing your teeth.
- Make sure your eyes are not obstructed or covered by any hair.
Digital Editing
- Do not use any kind of filter or retouching tools to change your appearance.
- Do not edit in a graphic design software program.
- Do not use artificial intelligence or other digital tools.
- The outline of the head, face, and neck will be unacceptable if edited.
Clothing, Hats, & Glasses
- The full face must be visible with no shadows or clothing that blocks the face.
- For religious purposes, you may wear head coverings.
- Remove any eyeglasses.
- Remove any employee ID badge or lanyard.
- Remove any scarf or hat. Nothing can block any portion of your face.