What are the ERAS photo requirements for the 2025–2026 cycle?

Per AAMC, the ERAS photo must be a JPG/JPEG or PNG file, maximum 150 KB, at 2.5" × 3.5" and 150 DPI, with a head-and-shoulders composition, centered face, and direct eye contact.

Should I wear a white coat in my ERAS headshot?

Skip the white coat. ERAS doesn't require it, and most program directors recommend business formal attire (suit, blazer, or professional dress) instead. A white coat can look generic and doesn't photograph as well against a white background.

When should I take my ERAS headshot?

Plan to have your ERAS headshot ready by early July. ERAS opens for submissions in September, so book your session in May–July to allow editing and upload time without the August rush.

How is an ERAS headshot different from a regular headshot?

ERAS headshots have specific requirements: square crop, JPEG format. The stakes are higher than typical headshots since program directors evaluate your image as part of your formal application.

What should I wear for my ERAS headshot?

Business or business-formal attire is standard. For men: suit and tie or blazer. For women: blazer, professional dress, or blouse. Stick to solid neutral colors - navy, charcoal, black, or burgundy.

How much do professional ERAS headshots cost in Pittsburgh?

ERAS headshots start at $250. Fill out the form on the booking page to access the full pricing schedule and check availability.

Where is your studio located?

The studio is at 830 Bay Ridge Ave in Pittsburgh's Brookline neighborhood, close to UPMC and AHN facilities and accessible from Downtown via I-376 and Route 51.

Can I use an AI-generated photo for my ERAS application?

No. ERAS explicitly prohibits AI-generated or heavily filtered photos. Program directors can usually tell the difference, and risking your residency application is not worth the savings.

For Medical Students & Residents

ERAS Headshots for Medical Residency Applications

Your ERAS application photo is the first thing program directors see when they open your file. Before they read a single word of your personal statement and before they look at your Step scores, they see your face.

In a competitive match cycle, first impressions compound fast. A polished, professional ERAS headshot signals that you take your career seriously, you respect the programs you're applying to, and you know how to present yourself. A rushed bathroom selfie says the opposite.

Chad Isaiah Studios has helped hundreds of professionals look their best for the most important photos of their careers. Let's make sure your residency application photo is one of them.

See Pricing & Book Prep Guide

Why Your ERAS Photo Actually Matters

Program directors review hundreds of applications. Research on hiring decisions consistently shows that photos influence perceived competence, likability, and trustworthiness - often within milliseconds, well before conscious evaluation begins. In a holistic review process, every element of your application counts.

✓Your photo loads first in the ERAS applicant portal before your CV, scores, or letters
✓A confident, approachable image makes your entire application feel more polished
✓Program directors are human, so a warm expression builds subconscious familiarity before the interview
✓A poor quality photo signals a lack of attention to detail

You've invested years of your life to get to this application. Spend 30 minutes on a photo that represents that investment correctly.

ERAS-compliant files guaranteed

2.5" × 3.5" · 150 DPI · max 150 KB

7-day delivery

ERAS Photo Requirements

AAMC publishes specific requirements for the ERAS application photo. We handle all of this so you walk out with fully compliant files ready to upload.

Technical Specifications

✓ JPG/JPEG or PNG
✓ Max 150 KB
✓ Dimensions: 2.5" × 3.5"
✓ 150 DPI

We deliver files at exactly these specs - no resizing or conversion needed.

Head & Shoulders

✓ Head and shoulders only
✓ No full body shots
✓ No group photos
✓ Multiple crops provided

No Filters / No AI

ERAS prohibits AI-generated photos and heavily filtered images. Our retouching is natural and compliant - skin smoothing and exposure correction only, never altering your features or background.

Direct Eye Contact

Your full face must be clearly visible, looking directly into the camera, with a neutral to warm expression. No sunglasses, no looking away. We coach you through this - natural eye contact is a skill we teach on the spot.

What to Wear for Your ERAS Headshot

Your attire sets the tone for how program directors perceive you. Here's what works - and what doesn't.

Business or Business Formal

A suit and tie or blazer for men; a professional blazer, dress, or blouse for women. This signals that you understand professional norms and respect the formality of the application process.

Solid, Neutral Colors

Navy, charcoal, black, burgundy, or dark forest green all photograph well against a white background. Avoid white or very light clothing that blends into the background, and avoid loud patterns that distract from your face.

Skip the White Coat

ERAS doesn't require a white coat - and most program directors and specialty advisors recommend leaving it at home. A white coat against a white background flattens the image, looks generic, and can read as a stock medical photo rather than a person. Business formal attire photographs better and makes a stronger individual impression. If your specialty has a strong white coat convention, ask your advisor - but the default answer is: don't wear it.

No Scrubs. Ever.

Scrubs are what you wear to work, not to apply for a job. Even if you live in them, they send the wrong signal in a formal application context. Same goes for t-shirts, hoodies, casual button-downs, or anything you'd wear on a day off. This is a job application - dress like it.

Avoid: Distracting Accessories

Large or flashy jewelry competes with your face. Simple, classic pieces are fine. Remove sunglasses entirely - ERAS requires your eyes to be clearly visible.

Bring Multiple Outfits

Bring 2–3 options and we'll go through them together at the session. You may only need one for ERAS, but having extras means you leave with images you can also use for LinkedIn, your program directory, or hospital website.

Want the full breakdown? Read our complete headshot styling guide or best colors to wear for headshots.

What to Expect at Your ERAS Headshot Session

Most people aren't comfortable in front of a camera. That's not a problem - it's our starting point. The session is designed specifically to get you relaxed and natural, not stiff and forced.

Wardrobe Review

We'll go through your outfits together and pick the best options for the white background. Takes 5–10 minutes and makes the rest of the session much smoother.

Lighting Setup

Studio lighting is dialed in specifically for your face - not a generic setup. The right light makes the difference between a flat, flat photo and one that looks polished and three-dimensional.

Expression Coaching

This is where the session is different. You'll be coached continuously throughout - specific, real-time direction to bring out a genuine expression rather than a forced smile or deer-in-headlights stare.

Image Selection + Delivery

We review the session together on-screen and you choose your favorites. You receive ERAS-compliant files - JPG/JPEG, 2.5" × 3.5" at 150 DPI, under 150 KB - delivered within 7 days and ready to upload with no extra steps.

When to Book Your ERAS Headshot

Don't let your headshot be the thing you scramble for in August. Here's the timeline to follow.

May

Ideal Window

Book and shoot in May or June. Maximum flexibility, no rush. Time to reshoot if anything doesn't feel right.

Jul

Still Good

July works fine. Delivery still before application season. Sessions start to fill - book early in the month.

Aug

Rush Season

August is the crunch. Sessions book fast. You'll still be on time for September submission, but you've lost your buffer.

Sep

ERAS Opens

Application submissions begin. Your headshot should already be uploaded. Last-minute bookings are possible but risky.

Check Availability

ERAS Headshot Photographer Near Me - Pittsburgh

I'm Chad Isaiah - Pittsburgh's headshot specialist. Recognized as an award-winning Associate Photographer in Peter Hurley's Headshot Crew, I'm counted among the best headshot photographers in the world.

My studio is steps from Pittsburgh's major medical centers - UPMC facilities, AHN campuses, and within easy reach of Pitt Med and Duquesne University's health science programs. I've worked with medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians who all need the same thing: medical residency headshots that hold up to the scrutiny of a competitive application.

That's exactly the problem I solve every day - for 556+ professionals who walked out with headshots that actually look like them at their best.

See Pricing & Book About Chad

ERAS Headshot FAQ

Per AAMC, the ERAS photo must be a JPG/JPEG or PNG file, maximum 150 KB, at 2.5" × 3.5" and 150 DPI. The photo should show a head-and-shoulders composition with direct eye contact, centered face, and a neutral to warm expression. Individual residency programs may have additional requirements, so check each program's preferences as well. We deliver compliant files within 7 days.

Skip it. ERAS doesn't require a white coat, and most program directors and specialty advisors recommend against it - a white coat looks generic and can actually undermine the professional, individual impression you're trying to make. Business formal attire (a suit, blazer, or professional dress) photographs better against a white background, reads as more polished, and is the standard recommendation across specialties.

Plan to have your ERAS headshot ready by early July at the latest. ERAS opens for application submissions in early September, but you want time to review images, get them edited, and upload well before the opening date. Most applicants book their sessions in May–July. Do not leave it until August - sessions book up quickly as the deadline approaches.

The technical requirements are more specific than a typical business headshot: ERAS mandates a square crop and JPEG format under 10MB. Beyond the specs, the stakes are also higher - program directors are evaluating your image as part of your professional application, not just as a social media profile photo. The expression and polish matter enormously.

Business or business-formal attire is the standard: a suit and tie or blazer for men; a blazer, professional dress, or blouse for women. Stick to solid, neutral colors - navy, charcoal, black, or burgundy photograph best. Avoid loud patterns, bright neons, or anything that distracts from your face. Check our headshot styling guide for a full breakdown.

ERAS headshots start at $250. Fill out the form below to access the full pricing schedule and check availability.

The studio is at 830 Bay Ridge Ave in Pittsburgh's Brookline neighborhood - close to UPMC campuses, AHN facilities, and easily accessible from Downtown and the South Hills via I-376 and Route 51.

No. ERAS explicitly prohibits AI-generated, heavily filtered, or digitally altered photos. Beyond the rules, program directors are experienced professionals - they notice when something looks off. Don't risk your application on a shortcut. A real session with a skilled photographer takes less than two hours and results in an image that represents you authentically.