How to Take a Passport Photo

You do not need to pay a professional photographer to arrange your passport photo. You can take the photo yourself by following these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Good digital camera
• Printer
• Photo paper

1. Check your passport agency for any specific guidelines for passport photos. In the United States, guidelines can be obtained by going to the State Department website, clicking on "Travel and Business" at the top of the page, then on "Get or Renew Passport" located in the middle of the screen, then on "Guide for Photographers" from the menu at the left.
2. Position yourself about two feet in front of a plane white background, such as a white wall or screen. The camera should be placed at your eye level about four feet in front of you.
3. Remove your glasses to prevent glare and look directly at the camera with a natural look on your face. The picture should capture the full front of your face.
4. Instruct the person taking the picture to zoom in on you so that only your head and shoulders are visible in the passport photo. Or take the picture without assistance, by setting the camera up on a tripod and using the time-delay picture option on your camera.
5. Use the flash in the pictures, but ensure there are no shadows in the background. If shadows are a problem, turn off the flash, set up a light source off to the side of the camera and point it at the background.
6. Make at least two copies of the same picture according to the size and paper requirements required by your passport agency. In the United States, you will need to make the photos 2 inches by 2 inches and print them on thin photo paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to take a color photograph.
• Do not edit, retouch or alter the photos in any way. If you are unhappy with how the photo came out, make another one.