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[Tips for Great ID Photo Expressions & Poses] — First Impressions are Made by Your "Expression"!
Han Researcher Magazine] 2026.03.13
Hello! I'm a researcher in charge of the beauty section at Monkos.ai.
Today, we'll delve into [creating expressions] and [posing techniques], which many people worry about the most before taking ID photos.
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① OK vs NG Expressions for ID Photos
ID photos are the first impression you give to interviewers. A single photo can define your image.
OK — Natural Smile (Slight smile with lips closed) Slightly smiling with your lips closed is ideal. It can give a positive impression to the viewer.
NG — Expressionless An expressionless face can give a cold and unmotivated impression. You may think you look serious, but it can appear somewhat intimidating in a photo.
OK or NG — Broad Smile Showing Teeth A broad smile can look awkward, so it's best to practice through selfies. It's especially recommended for those applying for service-oriented jobs like announcers or flight attendants. For more conservative professions like civil servants or office workers, a slight smile is recommended.
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② 3 Key Points to Creating a Good Expression
1. Corners of the Mouth The most important part! With your lips closed, gently lift both corners of your mouth evenly. Drooping corners can give a dissatisfied impression, and lifting only one side can give a sarcastic impression.
Practice: Muscles develop with use. The same goes for facial muscles. When practicing interview answers, consistently practice speaking with a smile. It's recommended to practice your ID photo expression along with your answer practice while looking at your phone camera or a mirror.
2. Eyes Open your eyes slightly wider than usual. Lifting your eyelids just a little is enough. You can create a confident and energetic impression.
Caution: Opening your eyes too wide can make you look surprised, and closing them too much can make you look sleepy. It's important to open them "slightly more" than usual!
3. Chin Gently pull your chin in. Pulling your chin in can make your facial contours look clearer and give an overall neat impression. It also has the effect of making your face look smaller!
Caution: Pulling your chin in too much can create a double chin, and tilting your chin up can make you look arrogant.
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③ Important Posture & Poses That Aren't Visible in the Photo
Only your upper body is visible in the photo, but your posture greatly affects your overall expression.
1. Straighten Your Back When sitting in a chair, put your hips deep into the chair and straighten your back. Overly puffing out your chest can look unnatural, and slouching can give a lack of confidence. It's important to maintain a naturally straight posture.
2. Match Shoulder Height If the height of your shoulders is different, the photo may look tilted. Check your shoulder height in the mirror before shooting. Be especially careful if you usually carry your bag on one side!
3. Hands Naturally on Your Thighs Lightly placing your hands on your thighs naturally pulls your elbows back, creating a clean shoulder line. Although not visible in the photo, this posture helps to relieve overall tension and create a neat impression. It's also important to be mindful of not raising your trapezius muscles during interview practice.
④ 5-Minute Expression Practice Routine Before Shooting
This is a simple expression practice routine that you can follow right before shooting.
- Pronounce "Ah Eh E Oh Oo" Loudly (3 times): Warm-up to loosen facial muscles
- Practice While Looking in the Mirror (5 times): Practice raising the corners of your mouth naturally
- Repeat Opening and Closing Your Eyes Widely (5 times): Loosen the muscles around your eyes
- Practice Smiling While Gently Pulling Your Chin In (1 minute): Final expression check
- Take 3 Deep Breaths: Relax and create a natural expression
You can improve the quality of your ID photo with just a 5-minute investment!
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④ Monkos.ai - AI Photography That Captures Expressions and Angles
No matter how much you practice your expression, you often get nervous and stiffen up when you actually start shooting.
Monkos.ai displays guidelines on the screen during shooting, detects the camera direction and lighting, and helps you adjust the angle with guidance messages if your face position is not correct.
Unlike traditional photo booths, you can comfortably shoot while checking your face in real-time on your smartphone without being rushed by time limits, making it much easier to create a natural expression.
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In addition, you can **compare the original and edited versions in just 10 seconds** after shooting, and you can retake the photo at any time if you don't like it.
ID photos completed with the most comfortable space, without tension, and with natural expressions. This is the best experience Monkos.ai wants to provide.
Solve your worries about ID photos, job application photos, and baby passport photos now at → monkos.ai.
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