How to Photograph Newborn Baby for a Passport

A newborn baby's passport photo can create a challenge.

You must have a passport with a recent photo to travel internationally. This requirement includes newborn children. Taking a picture of your infant for a passport photo is not always easy. You must follow certain guidelines. Getting the photo right the first time will speed the passport process and avoid possible delays.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• White blanket or cloth
• Baby's car seat
• Digital camera
• Computer with photo software
• Color printer
• Photo paper

1. Drape your baby's car seat with the white blanket or cloth so that it creates the necessary white background for the passport photo.

2. Place your baby in the car seat. Make sure your baby is awake; passport photos require the eyes to be open.

3. Check that the lighting is good in the room and does not cast shadows over your baby's face. Position the camera so the image is close up and the majority of the picture is the head. Or use the zoom lens.

4. Upload your pictures to your computer; follow your camera's instructions. Open the images in a software editing program and adjust the images to print at 2 inches by 2 inches. Print the images using color ink and photo paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to take the pictures just after your baby wakes up from a nap and is in a happy and alert mood. Photos must have the baby's eyes open.

• The baby's face should take up between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches of the 2-inch photo.

• Getting the perfect picture with infants is not always easy. It may require several attempts.

References

• U.S. Department of State: Passport Photo Requirements