ITC - How to Take a Great Photo


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 for privacy reasons and we respect that.


Submitting Your Information To the Website Administrator

Use this link to submit the following information to the Website Administrator:

  • Preferred Pronouns

  • LinkedIn Public Profile URL

  • Nickname

  • Profile Photo


Tips to Take a Great Profile Photo

Follow these guidelines to take your own profile 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 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, not a full body or group photo. 
  • 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.

General Clothing 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 repeat 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 press your clothes before your session.

Office of Communications - Professional Photos 

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. 


Contact the ITC Website Administrator 

You can contact Leslie Athena Kelton with any questions about the ITC Website.