Jason Z.
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Every year, thousands of people get stuck on the simplest part of the DV Lottery application: the photo. It seems like such a small detail, but the U.S. government is strict about it. The good news is you don’t have to run to a photo studio or pay anyone. With just your phone and a bit of care, you can get a photo that meets all the requirements right at home.
The DV Lottery photo must be square and between 600 and 1200 pixels. Backgroundon a plain white or off-white background. No shadows, no glasses, no hats. Your face has to be centered, looking straight at the camera, with a neutral expression and open eyes. Think passport photo but stricter, and definitely no smiling.
Background need to be a plain white or off-white. You don't have to worry about the background now as passportphoto.online use AI to automatically remove the background. Once you upload your photo to our website. You get a plain white or off-white background within one second!
Good lighting makes or breaks your DV Lottery photo. Natural light is the easiest option: stand facing a window during the day so your face is evenly lit. Avoid standing with the window behind you, which causes shadows, or directly under overhead lights that create dark circles under your eyes.
If you’re taking the photo at night, place a bright lamp in front of you at eye level. The goal is even light across your whole face with no harsh shadows on the background. A thin curtain or white sheet over a lamp can also help soften light and make it look more natural.
Your phone can take a perfectly acceptable DV Lottery photo if you use it correctly. Always use the rear camera instead of the selfie camera, since it produces sharper images with better resolution. Position the phone at eye level so your head isn’t tilted up or down, and make sure the lens is clean before you shoot. If you don’t have someone to take the photo, place the phone on a tripod or a stable surface, then use the timer to capture a steady shot without blur.
When framing the photo, include your head, shoulders, and some space above your head so the image doesn’t feel cropped too tightly. Avoid digital zoom, as it reduces quality: simply move the phone closer or farther until you’re properly framed. Check the image immediately after taking it to confirm your face is centered, sharp, and well lit before moving on.
People often run into trouble with shadows, glasses, or using photo-editing apps that alter the image. All of these can cause rejection. The safest approach is to stick closely to the requirements and avoid unnecessary adjustments.
If you prefer a DIY approach to getting the perfect shot, PassportPhoto.online makes it simple.
You can take advantage of our free tools, such as:
WRITTEN BY
Jason Z.
Studio Portrait Photographer