Free Guide · PDF Download
The ERAS / Residency Headshot Guide
For medical students, residents and international medical graduates: when to book, the photo requirements, what to wear, and 12 application poses. Fill out the form and your download appears right away.
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What's Inside the ERAS Guide
When to book
Timing your session before the September submission window, turnaround and rush options.
Photo requirements
What never changes, and where to confirm the current AAMC specs each cycle.
White coat or business attire
How to choose by specialty, and what to wear under the coat or jacket.
Grooming + expression
Haircuts, facial hair, glasses and an approachable expression that is not stiff.
Three checklists
A pre-session checklist, an ERAS upload checklist and a one-photo-everywhere tracker.
12 poses
White coat and business professional looks, including glasses, head coverings and a directory crop.
Book Your ERAS Headshot
See what each session includes on the ERAS headshot sessions page, or read the ERAS headshot guide.
Example photos are AI-generated illustrations created to show each pose clearly. They are not photographs of Photography Shark clients.
Tips Inside the Guide
An ERAS headshot is a simple, conventional frame, and every detail is directed in the session. For more, see medical and physician headshots and headshot sizes explained.
Clean, current, accurate
The photo should look like the person who walks into the interview. No filters, no old photos, no heavy editing.
Chin forward, slightly down
Push your forehead a touch toward the camera and bring your chin down. It defines the jaw and looks engaged.
A pressed white coat
Wrinkled lapels are the most visible flaw in a white coat photo. Bring it pressed, on a hanger, pockets empty.
Approachable, not stiff
A slight natural smile with engaged eyes works for almost everyone. Program directors are picturing a colleague.
Glasses stay on
If you wear glasses day to day, wear them. Glare is handled with light placement, not by removing lenses.
One photo everywhere
Use the same image on ERAS, program profiles, LinkedIn and directories so people recognize you.
ERAS Guide FAQ
Is the ERAS headshot guide free?
Yes. Fill out the short form and the PDF download appears right away. It covers timing, photo requirements, attire, grooming, uploading, three checklists and 12 poses.
What are the ERAS photo requirements?
The AAMC sets the technical requirements (file format, pixel dimensions and file-size limit) and updates them from cycle to cycle, so always confirm the current numbers in your ERAS dashboard before uploading. What does not change: a recent, accurate head-and-shoulders photo on a plain neutral background with even lighting and no filters.
Should I wear a white coat in my ERAS photo?
Both a white coat and business professional attire are acceptable. A white coat reads instantly as a physician and is the convention across much of medicine; a suit or blazer gives a neutral, polished look that suits many specialties and doubles as a LinkedIn photo.
More Free Guides
Posing and wardrobe beyond the application.
Matching photos for a whole department.