ITC Professional Photo Drop-In Session

What: ITC Professional Photo Drop-in Session 

Who: All ITC Employees

Where: 4 Currier, 2nd Floor - Follow the Signs

When: February 5, 2025 - 11 am to 1 pm

Why: The ITC Website Will Be Updated in Early 2025

More Info:

What to Wear

General Guidelines - These are just guidelines, not expectations.  

  • Dress professionally and neatly
  • Avoid any non-Dartmouth branded clothing
  • Dartmouth-branded clothing always looks great in photos
  • Avoid t-shirts and overly casual clothing
  • Avoid older or worn-out clothing - the camera picks up everything
  • Ensure your hair is well-groomed

Fit

  • Well-fitted clothing looks more polished and professional
  • Ill-fitting clothes can detract from your appearance

Color

  • Solid colors are generally better than busy patterns
  • Do not wear lines that are repeating very closely, the camera gets confused
  • Dark shades are slimming
  • Dartmouth Green is a favorite
  • Choose colors that contrast with your skin tone

Neckline

  • A well-fitted button-down shirt or blouse with a structured collar looks amazing
  • V-necks are also flattering

Accessories

  • Simple jewelry can enhance your look without being distracting
  • Avoid excessive accessories

Wrinkles

  • High-resolution cameras magnify wrinkles, so you should press your clothes before your session

Tips on How to Take Your Own Photo

Lighting

  • Use natural light from a window, avoiding direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows
  • Position yourself so the light falls softly on your face
  • Consider using a diffuser to soften the light further

Background

  • Choose a plain, uncluttered wall as your background
  • Ensure the background is not too bright or too dark compared to your face

Camera Settings

  • Use your camera's portrait mode to blur the background 
  • Adjust the camera angle to find the most flattering perspective

Posing

  • For the ITC website, we ask that the photo be a headshot only, no full body or group photos. 
  • Experiment with slight head turns to find your best side
  • Maintain a confident posture with relaxed shoulders
  • Practice different facial expressions, including a natural smile

Taking the Photo

  • Take multiple photos with different expressions and angles to choose the best one
  • Focus on your eyes to ensure they are sharp
  • Check your photos on a computer screen to assess lighting and composition

What if I Can Not Make It

That is okay!  The Office of Communications offers drop-in sessions throughout the year all over the campus. They use VOX Daily to notify the community of a drop-in session, which is another excellent reason to read VOX Daily. 

Do I Have to Have A Photo on the ITC Website 

No, you are not required to have a photo on the ITC website.  We understand that some people may not feel comfortable sharing a personal photo online due to privacy reasons and we respect that.

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