Photo Requirements
The submitted image must adhere to the following specifications. Photographs submitted must be a recent photograph, taken within the last 6 months. Please be advised thatfailure to comply with any of the following requirements may result in disqualification from the lottery.
Image Acquisition- The image file may be produced by acquiring an image with a digital camera or by digitizing a paper photograph with a scanner.
- Digital enhancement or other alterations or retouching are not permitted.
- The original aspect ratio of the image must be preserved. (No image stretching is allowed.)
- The image must contain the full face, neck, and shoulders of the applicant in frontal view with a neutral, non-smiling expression and with eyes open and directed at the camera.
- The image must not contain any parts of the body below the applicant's shoulders.
- The image must not include other objects or additional people.
- Applicant must be vertically oriented in the image.
- The image must be from a recent (within 6 months) photo of the applicant.
Head Position
- Subject must directly face the camera.
- Head must not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
- The head height (measured from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height. The diagram below shows these measurements on a correctly-proportioned image.
Content
Correct Photo : 1
Correct Photo : 2
Correct Photo : 3
Below the photos are incorrect Photo
| INCORRECT | |
| No Retouching | No Image Stretching |
 |  |
| Pose Not Frontal | Image Not Portrait View |
 |  |
| Head Too Small | Head Too Big |
 |  |
- Background
- Subject must be surrounded by a plain, light-colored background with no distracting shadows on the subject or background.
| INCORRECT |
| Background Not Plain |
 |
- Focus/Resolution
- The entire face must be in focus.
- Fine facial features should be discernible
- No discernible pixels or dot patterns
| INCORRECT | |
| Not In Focus | Visible/Coarse Dot Pattern |
 |  |
| Resolution Too Low | |
 | |
- Decorative Items
- Photos in which the person being photographed is wearing sunglasses or other items that obscure the face are not acceptable.
- Eyeglasses
- Eyeglasses are acceptable in photo only if the lenses are not tinted and there is no glare, shadows, or rims/frames obscuring the eyes. Glare on eyeglasses can usually by avoided by a slight upward or downward tilt of the head.
| INCORRECT |
| Glare On Glasses |
 |
- Head Coverings and Hats
- Hats or head coverings are only allowed if worn for religious reasons AND if they do not obscure any facial features.
- Photos containing tribal or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are unacceptable.
- Photos of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable.
- Brightness, Contrast, and Color
- Color should reproduce natural skin tones.
- Brightness and contrast should represent subject accurately.
| INCORRECT | |
| Improper Color | Too Dark |
 |  |
| Contrast Too High | |
 | |
- Exposure and Lighting
- Photo may not be over- or under-exposed
- Avoid shadows on face or background
| INCORRECT | |
| Over-Exposed | Shadows On Face |
 |  |
| Shadow On Background | |
 | |
