Face the camera directly
Use a level, front-facing portrait with both eyes visible. Avoid strong side angles, tilted heads, and photos where the face is turned away.
Choose soft, even light
Daylight facing a window or diffused indoor light works well. Avoid harsh backlight, deep facial shadows, and strong colored lighting.
Keep the background simple
A white or plain uncluttered background helps separate the person from the scene. Avoid busy patterns and other people in the frame.
Frame the person clearly
A full-body photo is useful when available; a sharp chest-up portrait is also a practical option. Keep the face large enough to see clearly and leave the hair outline uncropped.
Remove face and hair obstructions
Avoid sunglasses, masks, hats, heavy hair across the face, and hands near the eyes or mouth. Natural facial features should remain visible.
Start with a high-resolution original
Use the least compressed original you have. A sharp image at least 1024 pixels on its shortest side is a practical starting point, but clarity matters more than dimensions alone.