I photograph ERAS headshots for medical students every year, mostly from WashU School of Medicine and SLU, and the number one thing I tell people is this: your ERAS headshot is not a formality. Program directors review hundreds of applications, and your photo creates a first impression before they read a single word of your personal statement. Here's everything you need to know about ERAS headshot requirements for the 2026-2027 application cycle.
ERAS Photo Technical Requirements
For the 2026-2027 cycle, ERAS photo guidelines specify:
Note: ERAS may update specific technical requirements each cycle. Verify current specifications at AAMC's website before submitting.
What to Wear
For most specialties, the standard is:
If applying to multiple specialties, consider whether your wardrobe matches the culture. Surgical specialties tend toward more formal attire. Pediatrics and family medicine accept slightly more warmth and personality. When in doubt, go professional.
What Program Directors Actually Look For
I've spoken with program directors at WashU and other institutions, and they've told me directly: they want to see a real person. Not a glamour shot, not a passport photo, and not an AI-generated image. They want to see:
When to Schedule Your ERAS Headshot
ERAS opens in early September for most specialties. Book your headshot session in July or August to allow time for retouching and any retakes if needed. Seriously, don't wait until September. I fill up fast during peak season, and so does every other photographer in St. Louis who does this regularly. Last year I had students calling me the first week of September in a panic because their first-choice photographer was booked solid.
We recommend:
Book your ERAS headshot before the rush
June and July slots fill fast. Lock in your session now and check one thing off your application list.
Get a QuoteCommon ERAS Headshot Mistakes
I see these every year, and they're all avoidable.
1. Using a selfie or phone photo. Program directors can tell. Professional lighting and composition matter.
2. Over-retouching. You should look like yourself, not a filtered version of yourself. I do subtle skin smoothing and under-eye cleanup, but I will never reshape your face or make you look like a different person. That defeats the entire purpose.
3. Wrong background. Busy backgrounds distract. Solid neutral colors are standard.
4. Awkward cropping. Too tight (just a face) or too wide (full torso) both look wrong. Head-and-shoulders is the standard.
5. Submitting an AI-generated headshot. Some program directors have started flagging these. I had a student tell me a classmate submitted an AI headshot last cycle and got asked about it during an interview. Don't risk it.
6. Not matching your interview appearance. If you'll have a beard at interviews, have one in your headshot. If you'll be clean-shaven, be clean-shaven in the photo.
St. Louis Medical Students: My ERAS Headshot Sessions
I photograph medical students from Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, A.T. Still University, and University of Missouri for their ERAS applications every year. It's one of my favorite things I do -- you're all at this exciting, nerve-wracking inflection point, and I like being a small part of helping you put your best foot forward. My ERAS sessions include:
My studio in The Grove is about 5 minutes from the WashU medical campus off Kingshighway. I offer flexible scheduling around clinical rotations, including early morning and evening appointments.
Book your ERAS headshot session or learn more about my ERAS headshot services.