How to Take the Best Photos for Your ID Cards

Last Updated: March 18, 2023

Some employees may feel uncomfortable with their picture displayed on their ID badge or on a notice board that displays the photo's of key employees at the business. Would you like to make them feel proud of their ID card photo? These steps will help you to achieve a professional result and can be used to take professional portraits for your customers or friends.

Steps

1
Chose a place to take your photo's. You do not need a huge room, look for a room that is not used very often and has enough space for you and the subject.
2
Consider whether the employer requires the employee to be standing or seated when they have their photo taken.

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3
Look for a sturdy chair without casters.
4
Use a plain backdrop if you have one. A light blue color works well for corporate images. The backdrop can be pinned to the wall using small tacks or tape if you do not have a proper backdrop support. If you do not have any suitable backdrops you should have a plain colored wall behind the subject.
5
Place the chair about 1 foot (0.3 m) away from the wall. Always use the same distance from the wall so that the images have a uniform feel to them.
6
Set up simple lighting using a key light and soft box if you have one.
7
If you do not have a lighting kit, then use an external flash with a diffuser attached and the flash pointing towards the ceiling or the wall behind you. This will evenly distribute the light.
8
Avoid using the internal camera flash because you have very little control over the lighting and color cast it will produce. Use your tripod and manual settings instead.
9
Take a couple of practice shots using your preferred method of set up prior to taking the shots of employees. This way you will not be taking up their time whilst you get the area set up.
10
Put your subject at ease, tell them how to sit or stand and take the images quickly, this way they will not begin to feel uncomfortable.
11
Take 2 or 3 images and check that the subject is looking at you with their eyes open and the shot is in focus.
12
Load your images onto your computer as soon as possible to ensure they are safe.
13
Set up a folder for the images and consider backing up the images on an external hard drive.
14
Make any required editing adjustments.

Warnings

Unless you have experience of using a lighting kit and light meter you will not achieve an acceptable result.

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Do not stand too close to the subject because you may make the person feel uncomfortable and the lens will distort the largest feature on the face for instance the nose, making it appear bigger.

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If you are using a lighting kit, ensure that any cables are covered to avoid a tip hazard.

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If you are using a flash on your camera always point the flash at the ceiling or wall behind you to bounce the light off .If you point the flash directly at your subject it will cause a shadow around the subject and may even create a white flash of light on their head or skin.

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Avoid using the overhead lighting in the room as this will cause a yellow color cast to the image.

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