How to take a perfect
passport photo at home
Most rejections come from bad lighting, glasses, or an off-center face — not the dimensions. Follow these tips and you'll pass on the first try.
Quick checklist
Lighting
Even, shadow-free light is the #1 factor
- Face a window — natural daylight is ideal. Overcast days are perfect.
- Avoid direct sunlight; it causes harsh shadows and squinting.
- If indoors, use two lamps on either side of your face to eliminate shadows.
- Never shoot with a light source directly behind you — it silhouettes your face.
Common mistake: Single overhead light creates dark eye shadows that cause compliance failures.
Background
Plain white or off-white only
- Use a plain white wall, white door, or hang a white sheet behind you.
- Stay at least 50cm away from the background to avoid shadows on it.
- Don't worry if your background isn't perfect — PhotoPass removes it automatically.
- Avoid busy patterns, furniture, or coloured walls behind you.
Common mistake: Standing too close to the wall creates a grey shadow behind you.
Position & Pose
Centered, straight, and at the right distance
- Face the camera directly — no tilting or turning your head.
- Your head should fill 70–80% of the frame height.
- Keep your shoulders level and square to the camera.
- Hold the camera at eye level — not above or below.
Common mistake: Holding your phone too high creates an unflattering downward angle.
Expression & Eyes
Neutral expression, eyes open and looking forward
- Keep a neutral expression — mouth closed, no smiling.
- Eyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera.
- Remove glasses — required since 2021 in most countries.
- Ensure both eyes are fully visible and not obscured by hair.
Common mistake: A slight smile or squinting is the most common cause of compliance failure.
Clothing & Accessories
Keep it simple
- Wear everyday clothing — no uniforms or camouflage.
- Avoid white tops, which may blend into the white background.
- Remove hats and head coverings (unless worn daily for religious reasons).
- Keep jewelry minimal to avoid reflections.
Common mistake: A white shirt against a white background makes it hard to crop accurately.
Camera Tips
Get a sharp, high-quality shot
- Use portrait mode on your phone for a sharper subject.
- Ask someone else to take the photo — selfies often distort proportions.
- If alone, use a timer and prop your phone against something stable.
- Take 5–10 shots and choose the sharpest, most centered one.
Common mistake: Blurry or low-resolution photos can't be improved after the fact.
What PhotoPass handles for you
You don't need to worry about dimensions, DPI, or background removal — we do it automatically.
Exact government dimensions
Cropped to the correct mm and px for your document
Background removal
AI removes any background and replaces with white
300 DPI output
Print-ready resolution for any photo lab
4×6″ print sheet
Multiple copies laid out for standard printing
10-point compliance check
Face detection and rule validation before you pay
Email delivery
24-hour download link sent to your inbox
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Takes under 3 minutes. No account needed. Deleted within 24 hours.
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