we’re one of the nations that require an i.d. photo for almost anything. our employers still require it for application, whereas substance-oriented societies have eliminated this attachment, for the reason that they would like to keep their selections as impartial towards appearance as possible.
in fact, In the USA it is NOT a good idea to include a photo or video or picture because Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations put the employer (not the candidate) between a rock and a hard place when photos, videos, or pictures of the applicant are included with or on a resume… unasked-for applicant images received by employers that show race, weight, or for example, candidates confined to a wheel chair spell trouble. Mail room personnel are instructed to destroy (shred) mail that might have photos or videos enclosed… If you are applying for a job as a model or television announcer or any job where your personal appearance is a key and true part of the job, you will be asked to submit photos… In my opinion that’s lawful (Resume Photos, Videos and Portraits – What to Do, What Not to Do/Stephen Q. Shannon).
well, since our culture has not yet surmounted the need for i.d. pictures for whatever form of application, whether personal appearance is part of the duties or not, it would be a good idea to make the best of your 1×1, 2×2 or passport size “head shots.”
most people i know would just have their i.d. pictures taken “as the needs arise,” but with the frequency of photo requirements here, we might consider getting professionally photographed for a copy we can submit over and over and over again. by professional, i mean a real photographer with a real studio, not a digital booth or service center. these quick-fix shops and nooks are there for emergency needs or even for fun; if you want a portrait that will make you look more presentable, invest in a studio i.d. photo. when decision-makers see you took some effort in the 1×1 or 2×2 picture, they’d get the idea that you are taking the application seriously.
photo booths are super fun, but if you want a serious picture, you're better off with a pro
as for me, i’ve been using the same i.d. photo for about six or seven years already. my face hasn’t changed much since, but my hair has evolved in the last three or four years. i think it’s about time for a new i.d. image.
now, taking an i.d. photo should be a big deal: this is the image on which your potential employers, club presidents, general managers and school registrars will base their first impressions. your resume attachment should already begin putting your best foot forward even before the decision-maker sees you in person.
here are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for that all-important i.d. picture-taking:
practice your look in front of a mirror. trust me on this. i’ve seen many unfortunate individuals with i.d. smiles that look as if the photo was taken while they were on the toilet. practicing your smile can make you feel more comfortable with the camera and can even eliminate your insecurities. you can even adjust your head slightly towards your more flattering angle. for instance, if you are prone to a double chin, tilt your head back just a bit; if you want to make a toothy smile more bow-shaped, consider lowering your head a little.
believe it or not, you should even practice your ordinary, unsmiling expression for government i.d.’s and passports. some people’s ordinary expressions look all right in person but look deer-in-the-headlights in pictures; some look as if they’re angry or as if they just lost a huge bet. mine makes me look bored and exhausted, thus i practiced how to give a slight toothless smile and crinkle my eyes a little to make me look more approachable. you can try that yourself, see how you like it.
i sure hope he's joking. it's a very funny joke.
prepare yourself. make sure you look presentable. gentlemen, groom your facial hair or get rid of them altogether if you’re the clean cut type.
ladies, do wear make up, but avoid overdoing it. heavy make-up can make you look fake and uptight. stick to the natural tones that simply enhance your best features, not create new features (e.g. fake lashes).
if your eyes or face in general tend to get puffy, get a good night’s sleep the and apply some eye treatments. drink lots of water and avoid smoking on the day of your picture-taking.
maintain confidence and look natural. i could never stress this enough: do not have your i.d. picture taken if you are in a foul mood or are just not up to it. the camera can detect insecurities and discomfort, and those are the last things you want your picture to exude.
then relax. photographers don’t bite. i did say preparation is crucial, but over-preparation can also make you nervous and more worried about how the photos will turn out. remember, you want to give your best look, but you don’t want it to look contrived. just be cool during the process.
better. identity concealed to protect the innocent... right.
and finally, communicate with the photographer. don’t be shy about expressing how you expect the photo to turn out. you can even negotiate the details like angles, lighting and background color (that is, if no particular background color is required).
by all means, look over the shots with the photographer and request for more if none of them meets your expectations. do not be so overly nice that you’d settle for mediocre results rather than bother the photographer with a few more shots. speak up and don’t be afraid to say what you want. for instance, if you feel as if your hair was in the wrong place, fix it and have your picture taken again. or if you want to see whether you’d look better with your glasses on, put them on for another set, then compare your various looks.
invest in a professional to take your i.d. picture
remember, the quote “a picture paints a thousand words” is trite but true. make sure yours is saying all the right words.
