You no longer need to visit a pharmacy or photography studio to get an official passport or visa photo. With a modern smartphone and our free ID Photo Size tool, you can take a professional, compliant photo from the comfort of your living room.

1. Lighting is Everything

The number one reason passport photos are rejected is bad lighting, specifically harsh shadows on the face or background.

• Face a window: Natural, indirect daylight is best. Stand facing a window so the light hits your face evenly.
• Turn off overhead lights: Ceiling lights cast dark shadows under your eyes and nose.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Direct sun will make you squint and wash out your facial features.

2. Setting Up the Background

Most countries require a plain white or light grey background. If you don't have a perfectly white wall, don't worry!

Our tool has an automatic Background Removal feature. Just stand against a relatively plain wall (avoid busy wallpaper or clutter), take the photo, and use our tool to instantly swap the background to pure white.

3. Posture and Expression

• Keep a neutral expression: Do not smile. Keep your mouth closed and eyes open.
• Look straight at the lens: Don't look at the screen; look directly into the camera lens.
• Remove glasses: Most countries (including the US and UK) no longer allow glasses in passport photos due to glare.
• Keep hair off your face: Ensure your eyebrows and the edges of your face are clearly visible.

4. Taking the Shot

Selfies are generally rejected because the wide-angle lens distorts your facial features (making your nose look bigger).

Instead, ask a friend or family member to take the photo from about 1.5 meters (5 feet) away. Tell them to leave plenty of space above your head and include your shoulders and upper chest.