How to Take the Perfect Passport Photo
Follow our comprehensive guide to take professional-quality passport photos at home that meet official requirements for any country. Save time and money with our expert tips.
Quick Success Tips
The most common mistakes are poor lighting and incorrect positioning. Take your photo during the day near a window with natural light, and have someone else take the photo from chest level while you stand 3 feet from a plain wall.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Use natural light from a window for best results
- Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows
- Turn off overhead lights to prevent shadows on your face
- Ensure the background is completely plain and wrinkle-free
- Keep your head straight and shoulders level
- Look directly at the camera lens, not the screen
- Relax your shoulders and maintain good posture
- Ensure your entire head and shoulders are visible
- Keep your mouth closed with a neutral expression
- Open your eyes naturally - avoid squinting or wide eyes
- Look directly at the camera with a relaxed face
- Avoid smiling, frowning, or any exaggerated expressions
- Use the rear camera for better quality than front-facing
- Hold the camera steady or use a tripod
- Take several photos to choose the best one
- Check the photo is sharp and well-lit before finishing
What Makes a Good Photo
Soft, diffused light from a window is ideal. Avoid flash or harsh overhead lighting.
Your expression should be natural and relaxed, similar to how you'd look in everyday life.
A plain white or off-white wall works best. Avoid wallpaper, curtains, or busy backgrounds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Shadows on face or background
Creates uneven lighting and may cause rejection
Smiling or open mouth
Most countries require neutral expressions
Glasses with glare or reflection
Eyes must be clearly visible
Hats, headbands, or hair accessories
Head coverings are only allowed for religious reasons
Busy or patterned backgrounds
Background must be plain and uniform
Poor lighting or blurry photos
Photo must be sharp and well-lit
Red eyes from flash
Natural eye color must be visible
Looking away from camera
Must be looking directly at the camera
Heavy makeup or filters
Must look like your natural appearance
Low resolution or pixelated images
Must meet minimum quality standards
Technical Requirements
- Minimum file size: 100KB
- Maximum file size: 10MB
- Supported formats: JPG, PNG, HEIC
- Minimum resolution: 600x600 pixels
- Color mode: RGB color (not grayscale)
- Sharp and in focus throughout
- Good contrast and brightness
- No compression artifacts or pixelation
- Natural colors (no filters or enhancement)
- Proper exposure (not too dark or bright)
- Head should fill 70-80% of the frame height
- Eyes should be positioned in the upper third
- Equal space on both sides of the head
- Top of head visible with small margin
- Shoulders visible but not required to be complete
Visual Examples
- ✓ Even, natural lighting
- ✓ Neutral expression, mouth closed
- ✓ Eyes clearly visible and open
- ✓ Plain white background
- ✓ Proper head size and positioning
- ✓ Sharp focus throughout
- ✗ Light flare or glare
- ✗ Wrong colored background
- ✗ Body not flat to camera
- ✗ Blurry and out of focus
Country-Specific Requirements
While these guidelines work for most countries, specific requirements may vary. Some countries have unique rules for head size, background color, or facial expressions.
Always check the specific requirements for your destination country using our country-specific guides before taking your final photo.
Ready to Take Your Photo?
Now that you know how to take the perfect passport photo, use our free tool to process and format your photo to meet any country's requirements.