Let’s face it, most of us dread driver’s license photos. They often seem to capture us at our worst, ending up as unflattering representations we’re stuck with for years. If you’re anything like many people, you might just “wing it” and hope for the best when you go to the DMV. However, learning how to take a good driver’s license photo is absolutely achievable with a little preparation.
You can avoid the dreaded DMV photo disappointment by taking some simple steps beforehand. Let’s explore essential driver’s license photo tips that will help you look your best and feel more confident every time you present your ID.
Dress to Impress (Yourself!)
When considering what to wear for a driver’s license photo to look good, comfort and personal style are key. Think about outfits that make you feel confident in your everyday life. The backdrop at the DMV is usually a light color, so choosing clothing that provides a good contrast is a smart move. If a vibrant red top or a classic blue shirt makes you feel great, go for it! Both are perfectly acceptable choices.
From personal experience, and this is a crucial driver’s license picture tip: steer clear of turtlenecks or high-collar button-up shirts. These styles can sometimes make your neck appear shorter or wider than it is, which might not be the most flattering look in a head-on photo.
Here are additional points to keep in mind when choosing your outfit:
- Avoid White: White clothing can blend in with the light background, making you look washed out or even disappearing parts of your outfit in the photo.
- Be Cautious with Black: While black is generally slimming, if you have a fair complexion, it can make you look even paler and drain color from your face.
- Solid Colors are Your Friends: Opt for clothes in solid colors. Busy patterns or logos can be distracting and take away from your face, which should be the focus of the photo.
Person wearing a burgundy top for a driver's license photo, a good color choice that contrasts with the background.
💡 What’s the best color to wear for a license photo? There’s no magic bullet, but focusing on contrast is key. As long as you avoid colors that wash you out or blend into the background (like white), you’re on the right track. Consider your skin tone and choose colors that complement it. Generally, darker shades like navy blue, emerald green, or deep burgundy are often safe and flattering bets for most people.
Makeup: Enhance, Don’t Overhaul
Makeup can be a fantastic tool to enhance your features for your driver’s license photo. Think of it as refining your look, not completely reinventing it. While makeup can help address concerns like dark circles, blemishes, or thin lips, it’s important to remember that DMV photos are taken with standard equipment and aren’t professional studio shots.
For driver’s license makeup, the goal is a natural, polished appearance. Here’s a simple guide:
- Foundation is Key: Match your foundation perfectly to your skin tone. If you’re naturally fair, consider going just one shade darker to prevent looking washed out by the camera flash.
- Matte is Your Mate: Choose matte or satin-finish makeup products. Shimmers, glosses, and highlighters can reflect the camera flash in unpredictable ways, potentially making your skin look oily or uneven in the photo.
- Conceal Dark Circles Effectively: Use a concealer that effectively covers dark circles. Some sheer concealers might look fine in natural light but can appear patchy or less effective under direct flash. Opt for a medium to full coverage formula.
- Add a Touch of Blush: A little blush on the apples of your cheeks will bring life to your face and prevent you from looking flat or pale in the photo.
- Keep it Natural, Skip the Drama: Avoid heavy contouring, dramatic smokey eyes, false eyelashes, and overdrawn lip liner. While these techniques can look stunning in person or in professional photos, they can sometimes alter your natural features too much for an ID photo. The aim is to look like yourself on any given day. Overly dramatic makeup might raise eyebrows (literally and figuratively) if you’re stopped by law enforcement on a day you’re not wearing makeup.
The golden rule for driver’s license photo makeup is to aim for the “makeup-no-makeup” look. Enhance your best features subtly and keep your overall appearance natural and recognizable.
Hair Today, Great Photo Tomorrow
Let’s be honest, perfect hair days can feel rare. Don’t let a potentially bad hair day ruin your license photo! Putting a little effort into hair prep beforehand can make a significant difference in how polished you look in your picture.
Here’s a simple routine to tame your hair for your photo:
- Style it Simply: If you plan to wear your hair down, ensure it’s neatly styled. Consider parting it evenly on both sides for a balanced look. Some people find braiding their hair for a few hours beforehand can create soft, natural waves.
- Bring a Hairbrush for Last-Minute Touch-Ups: Keep a hairbrush handy to quickly smooth out any flyaways or rearrange your hair right before the photo is taken.
- Consider an Updo for Frizz Control: If your hair is prone to frizz, especially in humid conditions, an elegant bun or ponytail can be a stylish and practical solution.
- Hair Oil for Shine and Smoothness: A touch of hair oil can work wonders to smooth down any kinky or frizzy strands and add a healthy-looking, subtle shine to your hair.
- Keep Bangs Out of Your Eyes: Make sure your bangs are styled so they don’t fall across your eyes. If they tend to be too long, use a discreet hairpin to keep them in place and ensure your eyes are fully visible.
Smile! (Or Don’t, Depending on Your State)
Gone are the days of stern, expressionless driver’s license photos! The good news is that in most places, you can smile in your driver’s license photo!
However, smiling regulations can vary by state. Some states, like Colorado, are known to be quite relaxed and even allow broad, toothy smiles. Other states might have stricter guidelines and prefer a more subtle, closed-mouth smile.
Here’s the essential tip for nailing your smile: practice beforehand.
Since you usually get only one shot at the DMV to capture that perfect license picture, preparation is key. Experiment at home!
Take some selfies or ask a friend or family member to take photos of you with different types of smiles. See which smile looks the most natural and flattering on you. Once you find your best smile, you can mentally (or even physically) rehearse it so you can confidently recreate it when it’s photo time at the DMV.
Person wearing a burgundy top for a driver's license photo, a good color choice that contrasts with the background.
Are you lucky enough to live in a state that allows you to take your driver’s license photo at home? If so, you have even more control! You can use a specialized photo editor like PhotoAiD® for iOS or PhotoAiD® for Android to take your photo easily. Just select the “2×2 inches” photo type and add a note that it’s for a driver’s license. Their experts will handle the rest, ensuring your photo meets all requirements.
Benefits of using PhotoAiD for driver's license photos, including unlimited retakes, ease of use, and expert verification.
You can also conveniently upload your photo through their browser-based tool.
FAQ
Can you take your own driver’s license photo?
Driver’s license photo regulations vary by location. Some jurisdictions allow photos taken at home, while others require you to have your picture taken at a DMV or authorized office. Always check your local DMV regulations before planning to take your own photo. If self-submission is permitted, consider using a photo editor app like PhotoAiD® for iOS or PhotoAiD® for Android for compliance and ease.
Can you wear earrings in driver’s license photos?
Yes, earrings and other jewelry are generally permitted in license photos. However, it’s best to avoid overly large or distracting pieces. Keep jewelry understated and avoid anything that could be considered flashy, like oversized hoops or very sparkly items, as these can draw unnecessary attention and potentially reflect light in the photo.
Can you wear glasses in your driver’s license picture?
If you typically wear prescription glasses while driving, it’s generally recommended (and sometimes required) that you wear them for your driver’s license photo. If you wear glasses for driving, wear them for the photo. If you don’t always wear them, the choice is yours. If you do wear them, ensure that your frames don’t obscure your eyes or cast shadows, that the lenses are not tinted, and that there is no glare from the lighting.
Can you show teeth in driver’s license photos?
Smiling is widely accepted for driver’s license photos, but the allowance of toothy smiles differs depending on the state or jurisdiction. When in doubt, a natural, closed-lip smile is always a safe and universally accepted option.
What color to wear for a driver’s license photo?
The best color to wear for a driver’s license photo is one that complements your skin tone and eye color and provides a good contrast against the typically light-colored background. It’s wise to avoid white, and generally, solid, darker colors are excellent choices.
Can I wear a headband in my driver’s license photo?
In most cases, headbands and other head coverings are not allowed in driver’s license photos. Headgear is typically only permitted for documented medical or religious reasons. Simple hair accessories like discreet hairpins to keep bangs out of your face are usually acceptable, but anything that significantly covers the hair or head is generally not allowed.
Sources:
(None provided in the original article, and not strictly necessary for this type of general advice.)
