This disclosure describes techniques for providing instructions when receiving biometric data associated with a user. For instance, a user-recognition device may detect a portion of a user, such as a hand. The user-recognition device may then display a first graphical element indicating a target location for placing the portion of the user above the user-recognition device. Additionally, the user-recognition device may determine locations of the portion of the user above the user-recognition device. The user-recognition device may then display a second graphical element indicating the locations, such as when the locations are not proximate to the target location. Additionally, the user-recognition device may display instructions for moving the portion of the user to the target location. Based on detecting that the location of the portion of the user is proximate to the target location, the user-recognition device may send data representing the portion of the user to a remote system.