The South Carolina National Guard does not have the ability to take DA photos. To have your DA photo taken, you will need to schedule an appointment through VIOS at an approved DA photo lab (Fort Jackson).

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no South Carolina flag or unit flag/colors/guidon in the photo. This is to ensure continuity of all command photos taken.

Please bear with us as this is a new process for requesting VIOS orders and updates are constantly being pushed to help make the flow of this system easy and efficient. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the VI office.

1. The South Carolina National Guard Public Affairs office has the capability of photographing head and shoulder photos for South Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen to be used in official capacities such as chain of command displays (not to be used as a replacement for DA photo, which will need to be taken at an approved DA photo lab). These photographs are often referred to as command photos.

2. The location of the studio is off the drill hall floor next to the Recruiting and Retention Marketing Office in room 147 at the Bluff Road Armory at 1225 Bluff Road in Columbia, South Carolina. It is not possible for the photographers to conduct the head and shoulder photos to standard at a unit location due to specific lighting and placement requirements. The Soldier/Airman will be required to come to the studio located in Columbia in order to have their head and shoulder photo taken.

3. To request an appointment for a command photo, it must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance for internal planning purposes

4. You will submit your request through https://www.aesmp.army.mil, request through our distro email will no longer be accepted. If you do send a request through email you will be provided with the link to submit your request.

5. Below is a step by step guide on how to fill out your request and what information is needed:

• Once you access the main page you will select “Get Something”  
• On the left you will see a list of categories and you will select “Visual Information Ordering System (VIOS) Services”, the very last item
• Then you will select what you are requesting: “VIOS Photography”
• You will need to fill out all information that has an * next to it at minimum, each request will require more specific information:
  • Requestor Name: will auto populate
  • Please Provide your Service Component Type: Army National Guard (this will auto populate)
  • Physical Location: address (ex: 1 National Guard Rd) 
  • Building: the building you are working/drilling at (ex: Bluff Road Armory)
  • Room/Cubicle: your room number (ex: 147)
  • Normal Business Hours: whatever your daily schedule is (ex: Tues-Fri 0700 - 1730)
  • Duty Station/Duty Station UIC: US Army National Guard, full time support, South Carolina - W01VAA Columbia, SC USA
    • To search for this location you can either type *South Carolina or *W01VAA and it will populate
  • Below that you will select “Confirm selection above is the nearest to your current physical location for support”
  • Requestor Email Address: this will auto populate
  • Requestor Phone Number: this will auto populate
  • Requester Best Contact Number: please put whatever number that you can best be reached at, even if it is the same as the requestor phone number
  • If you are making the request for someone else you will select that and fill in their information
  • Select Your Region: CONUS
  • Select Your Installation: South Carolina ARNG
  • What is the purpose of this request?: Type a detailed description of why you are submitting a request (ex: I was recently promoted and need an updated command photo)
  • Would you like a Cost Estimate?: You will leave this blank
  • Alternate POC: please add an alternate POC if we need to contact someone else about your request
  • What is the purpose of this request?: Update Official Photo
  • Type of Photography: Head and Shoulders/Other Portrait
  • Appointment: you will select the calendar and pick the date and time that works for you, appointment dates are Tuesday-Thursday, 1300-1500 (No Mondays or Fridays)
  • Delivery Type: will always be “Digital”
  • Portrait Type: Head and Shoulders
  • Digital File Type: will always be “JPEG”
  • Additional Details: please add any additional details here

7. When you arrive for your photo, have the uniform(s) ready. The Public Affairs office does not verify that uniform patches, insignia, or accoutrements are correct. That is a responsibility of the Soldier/Airman.

8. The photo will be taken with the American flag draped in the background. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no South Carolina flag or unit flag/colors/guidon in the photo. This is to ensure continuity of all command photos taken.

9. The photo will be provided digitally for download via a link to the Flickr album. Photos will NOT be printed by the Public Affairs office. You can access the command photos here:

 
**Note 1** If you do not receive confirmation of appointment, contact the studio at 803-299-4706
 
**Note 2** If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you must contact either MAJ Karla Evans, 803-299-5304, karla.n.evans.mil@army.mil, or Staff Sgt. Chelsea Weaver, 803-299-4706, chelsea.s.weaver.mil@army.mil
 
**Note 3** If a Soldier is a no-show/no-call for their appointment, their commander will be notified

Studio Operations
SSG Chelsea Weaver
Office: 803.299.4706
Email: chelsea.s.weaver.mil@army.mil 

To cancel or reschedule your appointment:
MAJ Karla Evans
Office: 803-299-5304
Email: karla.n.evans.mil@army.mil