Making a passport-size photo at home
Quick answerPlain light background, even lighting, neutral expression. Then crop to the exact dimensions the form specifies.
Requirements vary by country and document — always check the official specification for your specific application before photographing.
Taking the photo
- Background — plain white or light grey wall, no shadow behind you. Stand away from the wall to avoid casting one.
- Lighting — face a window; avoid overhead light that shadows your eyes.
- Expression — neutral, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera.
- Glasses — many authorities now require them off.
Preparing the file
- Crop to the required ratio in the Image Editor.
- If the background is uneven, Remove Background gives you a clean one.
- Compress to the stated file size with Image Compress.
Common rejection reasons
Shadow behind the head, head too large or small in the frame, background not plain, and photo too old are the usual causes.
