How to Look Good in Your Photo License, Passport and Other Photo IDs

I always took a bad picture no matter what. It is not that I think myself a super model or anything, I just would wish for a picture that people can recognize it is me without giving me a strange look because my license does not resemble me in real life. Some feature on my face that apparently, hopefully, behaves in real life goes bonkers whenever I go to the DMV; at least I hope it is just at the DMV. It seems that I always wait and wait in line and then they call me when I am not expecting it, and by then my makeup has worn off and I am aggravated and tired and just want to go home. The bad photo ID license haunts you for several years afterwards. Here are some tips and tricks to have a license photo taken and not cringe every time you look at it.

Try to keep hair a simple full style that will not cast shadows on your face. Overhead lighting can make nasty shadows. If you have long hair, likely the ends will not show, so do not bother.

As long as you are wearing enough makeup, the lighting is likely that awful overhead florescent kind of light, but it does not matter in the bright flashbulb world of license photography. There is essentially no such thing as too much eyeliner, especially on top, a grey, navy or chocolate shadow and false eyelashes might actually show up looking like a tiny line of natural lashes.

Use concealer to conceal blotches and pimples and apply powder to make the area matte. You likely do not need foundation on your whole face. I actually do not wear this much makeup myself, but none of my minimalist look makeup ever shows up, and when I wear this much makeup, it at least looks like I am not a mummy. License photos are the only time that I contouring actually works since everything was so washed out the contour looked reasonably normal in the photo. Try using a pencil or powder to darken in your brows slightly, since they will likely wash out.

Lipstick needs to be reapplied frequently; you never know when you will be called up there for your photo. My last license photo my lipstick wore off by the time I got my picture taken, and the motor vehicle department employee barely looked as though she was going to wait for me to sit down, much less re-apply. This left me looking as if I have no lips in any legal identification I own since my own lips blended into my face under the MVD lights.

Smiling will only make you look like an idiot, unless you look much better smiling than straight faced. And from the moment you start to sit down, have your eyes focused on the spot you are supposed to look at while the photo is being taken, and do not speak or open your mouth since you never know when your picture will be taken. If you do not know where that spot is, try looking up instead of straight ahead, at least your eyes will look focused instead of like you have been out drinking. The camera is actually a bit higher than you think it is, so looking up will make your eye look bigger. Another perk is when we can see the white area under someone's eye, we think they are more honest (think JFK) and we like them more even if they seem sneaky (think George Clooney). This is a bonus point if you are forced to show some ID when you are suspected of doing something dubious.

Don't wear white or cream or very pale pastels; you will be bleached out enough as it is. Stick with flattering shades bright, vibrant colors or a crisp navy blue. Keep you makeup shades natural and matte for the most part. The cosmetic line "Make Up For Ever" is actually made for hot lights and bad lighting photo shoots, consider investing in some at Sephora for such an occasion.

If you still really, really hate it, the fee for "losing" your license and having your photo retaken varies by state, check your local DMV website for details. One Caveat: make sure that your DMV does not just charge you to send out a new license with your old photo that is still in their system.