How do you avoid a bad DA photo?

Ok, I'll be the odd man out, how about you let a senior NCO look at? Some of us old bastards can be pretty picky and notice the litte things.
Also it's been my experience that just because everything looks straight hanging on a hangar, once you put it on things somehow end up looking all cattywampus.
Take the pic, make them show you, if ya don't like it, take it again and again until you do. That's their job and it doesn't cost them anything but if you just take it and move out and don't like the way it looks online it takes an act of congress to get a new one.

Thanks for this Topic Laura! I think I noticed some faux pas on my DA Photo on second look. Anyway, here is my two cents on the matter.

I do not recommend smiling. You're not taking the picture for your friends. You're taking it for a board or hiring official.

So the most important thing is to have a confident look on your face. The look should say to the viewer, "I'm confident; I'm healthy; I'm fit; I like what I do; I'm professional; I'm glad that you're considering me for this promotion; People feel comfortable talking to me; I'm not worn out; I'm a good time manager (get enough sleep); I'm not angry at you; I don't intimidate those I lead. I'm not planning anything sinister; I don't think I'm better than you; I just got my hair cut, and it's not on the borders or margins of the regulation; I care.

People will see your face first, not your uniform. So it's the most important thing about your DA photo. Show your spouse or someone you know well.

Your DA photo is your first impression to a board member or hiring official. It makes a huge impression, and while some people say that the important thing is to have all of your awards straight, I believe that it's more important to have your hands in the right position, the right background color, no evidence of alteration, a sufficiently bright photo, no common errors are visible, etc. Board members may have 3 minutes to look at your file, so they won't notice every little thing, but they will be looking at 2000 other files, so they will notice what is different about your uniform.

Some of the other services don't use photos on personnel records at all. The Army does, so make it count in your favor.

Take your uniform with you, never worn since being cleaned, place on the hanger and in the dry cleaning bag to the photo studio, Change into it there. Bring a lint roller and even some masking tape to get little bits of lint off of your jacket. Bring a buddy to watch from behind the photographer and give you tips on your expression, angle, etc. Have the buddy take a look at the selection of photos with you when the photographer reviews them and has you make your choice.