The Best Time to Take Your ERAS Application Headshot

Your ERAS application headshot should never be a last-minute scramble. However, photographers across the country find residents begging for appointment slots in late August or early September—days before applications open—trying to salvage a put-together version of themselves worthy of the programs they’ve spent years pursuing. It almost never works out that way. 

Howard helps residents and fellows from all around the country prepare their ERAS applications with Capture Style Photography in Cleveland, Ohio. Timing is a question he hears constantly, and it can mean the difference between getting your application in early to enjoy the season or being one of the folks scrambling in August and September. Here’s how to know when to book your ERAS headshot.

Know the Application Deadlines 

Before we talk about timing, know the deadlines. For the 2026-2027 application season, applicants should know:

MyERAS: June 4, 2026
The online portal opened on June 4. Applicants can log in starting on this date, but can’t yet submit applications until September 2. Programs won’t start reviewing until September 23. As far as programs are concerned, it does not matter when you submit between these dates.

Submission: September 2, 2026
This is the date applications are first able to be submitted to programs. Get your headshot completed before this date. 

Review: September 23, 2026
Programs can begin looking at applications on this date. Any application that hasn’t been submitted by programs’ first day of review will show the date they were submitted on applicants’ portals. There is no advantage to being reviewed early.

When do you need to have your headshot finished? September 2. 

That’s your hard deadline. But we recommend getting your session booked, your image chosen, and any retouching completed long before September rolls around.

June through Late August Is Ideal 

Let’s start with some timing we DO recommend. Book your headshot between June and late August. The application season is underway, the materials applicants are submitting are being built and polished, and your headshot needs to be decided upon and locked in place before programs start reviewing on September 23.

June and July are ideal for booking. If you love your pictures as soon as you leave the session, great! You’re all done and you can move on to the rest of your application materials. However, if you want to try on a different shirt or want to look at other poses before you make your decision, you have plenty of time. Scheduling into late August is still fine, but really cuts into that cushion. Booking in September is asking for a headache.

You’ll Look Better Earlier in the Season 

When you’re a resident (or going to be a resident soon), life doesn’t stop. If you’re feeling well-rested and healthy going into your session that will be reflected in your photos. Sessions made last-minute tend to be sessions where interns are fighting against themselves to produce anything that looks halfway decent.

Ideally, you want to book your session during June or July while you’re likely to have at least a few weeks without major surgery rotations or overnight calls. Life as a resident may not fully slow down until retirement.

There Isn’t an Ideal Time to Take Your ERAS Headshot, Truly

Contrary to popular belief, there is no ideal time to take your headshot. Residents and fellows often put this portion of their application off because they’re waiting to lose those last 10 lbs., wait to get out of a particular rotation, or aren’t feeling their best because of personal reasons. The truth is that there will always be something.

Howard has photographed medical students and residents who came to their sessions sick-as-a-snake. He photographed parents days after giving birth. He’s photographed colleagues who just got out of the hospital after contracting COVID.

You are who you are, and chances are, that’s more than good enough for an excellent headshot. Howard works with you to draw out your natural confidence and ensure you feel comfortable every step of the way—something that really shows through when the final photos start coming through.

Take that Pressure Off and Book Today 

If your number one goal this application season is to not have to worry about your photo anymore, book now. June through August is the perfect window to schedule your session and cross it off your list.

Schedule your session online at www.capturestyle.photos or call/text 216-264-0654.