ID Picture Tips

Summary

Tips for how to take a quality self portrait to use for your Warrior ID or ID badge.

Body

Tips for a Successful ID Photo

  1. To achieve a neutral colored, smooth background, you can use:
    • Poster board
    • Blank Wall
  2. To achieve clear image quality, avoid images that are:
    • Dark or shadowed
    • Distorted or blurry
    • Too small (less than 260x300 pixels)
      • Generally, you can right-click a photo and view the size under the Properties, or you can use a photo-editing program to view the file size.
  3. Avoid photos with other visible people or objects.
  4. If you plan to use this picture for your Student Nursing or Teaching badge, take it while wearing your scrubs or a professional top.

DO!

  • Align your face & shoulders squarely with the camera
  • Use a light background

Portrait of young woman smiling and looking directly at the camera. Face and shoulders are framed squarely. Background is light and solid color. Hair is worn down but styled neatly.
 
  • Leave space around and above your head
  • Smile or maintain a neutral expression

Portrait of young woman smiling and looking directly at the camera. Face and shoulders are framed squarely. Background is light and solid color. Hair is worn half up, styled neatly. There is space around her head.
 

Don't!

  • Touch your face
  • Use a busy background with objects visible
  • Wear a hat or sunglasses
Portrait of young woman smiling outside wearing sunglasses and touching her face. Face and shoulders are off-center of frame. Background shows part of a building, the sky and a yard. Hair is worn down and a bit wind-blown / messy. Looks like a typical selfie photo.
 
  • Use a picture with another person or your pets
  • Submit a selfie
  • Use a picture that’s off-centered
Portrait of young woman smiling while wearing a baseball cap. Face and shoulders are off-center of frame. Background appears to be a wooden door with wood grain evident.
 

Details

Details

Article ID: 1948
Created
Thu 5/8/25 3:52 PM
Modified
Wed 10/22/25 3:10 PM

Related Services / Offerings

Related Services / Offerings (3)

Badge Request
Use this form to request badge cards for identification purposes only, NOT official WSU ID cards (departmental, student worker badges, etc.).
MN College SE ID
MN College SE Tech students can request an ID card that can be used to access the Fitness center and Library on Winona State's Campus.
Warrior ID Card request
Request that your WSU student or employee ID is printed. This can be used by new students or employees who have never had an ID or current students/employees who need a replacement ID ($10)