Everything you need to take a professionally compliant passport photo at home — no equipment needed beyond a smartphone.
Create Your Passport Photo NowAny modern smartphone camera. No professional camera needed.
A white wall, poster board, or sheet. Clean and wrinkle-free.
Natural daylight or two lamps — one on each side of your face.
A stack of books, shelf, or cheap tripod to hold the phone steady at eye level.
Find a white or off-white wall with no patterns, art, or texture. Alternatively, tape a large white poster board or hang a white sheet. It should be flat, not crinkled.
The best lighting for passport photos is natural daylight from a window in front of you. If using lamps, place one on each side at face level — not above. This eliminates shadows under your eyes and chin.
Stand 2–3 feet in front of your background — far enough to avoid casting a shadow on it. Your body should face forward, not angled.
Place your phone on a stack of books, a shelf, or a tripod so it's exactly level with your eyes. Do not hold the phone above you (this creates a downward angle common in selfies).
Remove glasses. Ensure hair is not covering your face or ears. Choose plain, non-white clothing (so it contrasts with the background). No hats unless for religious reasons.
Look straight into the camera lens. Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile. Both eyes fully open. Use a timer or ask someone to take the photo to avoid blur from pressing the button.
Take 10–20 photos. Some will be better lit, some will have your eyes more open, some will have better expressions. Having choices matters.
Choose the best photo and upload it. Select your country, and we'll crop, resize, verify head sizing, and check background compliance automatically.
Get a print-ready file (4×6 sheet with two photos) or digital file for online applications. Print at any photo lab or from home on glossy photo paper.
Just take the photo. PassportSnap handles all the technical requirements automatically. Accepted or money-back guaranteed.
Upload Your Photo NowStand facing a window with natural daylight. The light should illuminate your face evenly from the front, not from the side.
Place identical lamps on either side of your face at eye level. This mimics studio lighting and eliminates shadows.
Ceiling lights cast harsh shadows under your eyes and chin — the most common lighting mistake in home passport photos.
Camera flash creates glare, red-eye, and harsh shadows. Use ambient light instead.
Phone must be at eye level. High angles (selfie style) and low angles both distort facial proportions.
Being close to the wall casts a shadow. Stand at least 2 feet away.
Always take many photos. The best one from 20 shots is significantly better than your only shot.
Glasses are not permitted in most countries' passport photos. Always remove them first.