Dress appropriately for your photo. Wear your normal attire, such as your casual clothing or your religious attire, if it is worn daily. Put on any accessories, such as prescription eyeglasses, a hearing aid or a wig, that you wear on a regular basis. Remove your hat and nonprescription glasses or sunglasses.
Select an area to take your photo. Choose a location where you can stand in front of a solid white or off-white background that has good lighting so your face can be seen clearly.
Set up your camera. Place your camera on a tripod and point it at the area where you will be standing. Take a test shot to ensure that your face will be in the frame and that the camera's lens is in focus. Do this by using the camera's self-timer or by asking a friend to take the picture.
Take the picture using the camera's self-timer or having a friend help you. Look directly at the camera and make sure your hair is out of your face.
Review your pictures. Ensure that the photos are in focus and well lit so that the picture is not too dark or makes your face appear washed out, with white or bright patches appearing on your skin. Check that your whole face is in the photo and that your eyes are open.
Crop your picture to 2 inches by 2 inches. Have your face, from hair to chin, take up between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch of the photo's height, ensuring it is not cropped off at the top, bottom or either side.
Print two identical copies of the best picture. Use photo-quality paper and a color printer to make copies of your photos at home or take your film or images to a local photo processing center.
