LJWorld.com

As if we needed another challenge.

Many people aren’t too pleased with the way their driver’s license photos look anyway. But some states now have adopted a “no smile” policy, since some technology used to verify IDs works better with somber faces.

So we in Kansas can smile. But what else can we do to look good ?

It’s clear at least some people take their driver’s license photos seriously.

“I have to have it for six years,” David Hill said recently as he waited in line with his girlfriend, Kasey Diebold. “I shaved, and she dressed me up.”

“Well, it’s my favorite shirt,” Diebold said looking at Hill’s red and white striped polo.

Renaté Rea, owner of Lawrence’s Photo-Genic Photography, 500 Locust St., would agree with Diebold’s choice. In her photos, Rea thinks guys should wear shirts with collars and nothing sloppy.

Since ID photos center on the face, wearing neutral colors or black and white is going to be your best bet. Patterns and bright colors are distracting and tend to take away from the face.

“I also think it looks good if you have a small smile and put your head slightly to the right or left,” Rea says.

Another tip is to point your chin slightly upward and put your tongue at the roof of your mouth. That way, your chin doesn’t multiply.

And flashing a huge, toothy grin is never a good idea. Just relax your face, and be sure to sit up straight. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Don’t slouch!”

Don’t bother spending hours primping for the photo in the morning, because Rea says timing is important when taking a good photo.

“Don’t get your picture taken in the morning, because your face tends to look sleepy for a couple of hours after you wake up. So go in the middle of the afternoon or right after work,” Rea says.

If you are still concerned about the photo that is supposed to represent your looks for six years, Laura Bartholomew, stylist at Hair Experts Salon and Spa, 2100 W. 25th St., gives some tips for women and their hair and makeup.

Cutting your hair right before a photo could end up being a mistake. Since most people aren’t used to their new hairstyle when they leave the salon, they end up not liking their hair. So it’s best to wear it as you normally would.

Bartholomew suggests that wearing your hair down is best for photos, and if it’s stick straight, curl it a bit for volume.

When it comes to makeup, lining your eyes with a deathly color of black isn’t a good idea because of the bright lighting. The light tends to wash out the color in your face, leaving your makeup looking a bit overdone.

“Simpler is better, and it’s becoming more stylish to be more natural,” Bartholomew says. “It’s good to use concealer to touch up where it’s needed, then finish with some powder and mascara. Keep it as natural as possible.”

Delbert Johnson, Department of Motor Vehicles employee, has taken many photos of people since he began his job. But he doesn’t feel smiling or looking fantastic in an ID photo is very important.

“The main goal is to get their face and eyes,” he says. “If they want to smile, that’s fine, but it’s not a glamour shot. We don’t want people making peace symbols or devil horns.”

Putting personality into driver’s license photos isn’t a concern for some people — especially since most IDs are packed away in a wallet or purse.

“I figured the only reason we take a photo is to show the police,” Lawrence resident Robert Patty said, waiting for his photo to be taken.

IDs may only be for legal purposes, but there’s no harm in taking control of your appearance for a good photo. The DMV even gives us the luxury of taking a new photo for $8. So if your photo turns out hideously, you can do it all over again with a smile.