Best clothing choices
- Dark, solid colours: Navy, dark grey, or black create good contrast against the white background.
- Collared shirts or tops: Look professional and frame the neck/face well.
- Modest necklines: The photo crops at shoulder level, so choose something that won't look like bare shoulders.
What to avoid
- White tops: Blend into the white background, making you look like a floating head.
- Very bright or neon colours: Can reflect colour onto your face, distorting skin tone.
- Busy patterns or logos: Stripes, plaids, and large logos are distracting.
- Uniforms: Military, police, or airline uniforms are not allowed (unless you're on official duty).
- Sleeveless tops (in some contexts): May look too casual for document photos in certain countries.
Colours that photograph well
| Colour | Effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Navy blue | Strong contrast, professional | Excellent choice |
| Dark grey | Subtle, professional | Great choice |
| Burgundy/maroon | Warm, flattering | Good choice |
| Black | High contrast | Good (but can be too harsh for some skin tones) |
| White | Blends with background | Avoid |
| Bright red/yellow | Reflects onto skin | Avoid |