How to Take a Passport Photo at Home
Skip CVS. Take a compliant passport photo with your phone in 5 minutes. Here's exactly how to do it right.
What You'll Need
Smartphone, a white wall, and good lighting (natural light from a window works best)
These steps work for passport, visa, ID card, and other document photos. The shooting technique is the same — our tool handles the size and cropping for each document type.
Step-by-Step Guide
Set Up Your Background
Find a plain white or off-white wall. Stand 2-3 feet in front of it to avoid shadows on the wall. No patterns, textures, or wallpaper. A white sheet or poster board works if you don't have a white wall.
Position Your Lighting
Face a window for natural light (best option). If indoors, use a lamp placed in front of you, not above. Avoid overhead lights -- they create shadows under your eyes and nose.
Set Up Your Camera
Use your phone's rear camera for best quality. Have someone hold the phone 4-5 feet away at exactly eye level. Turn portrait mode OFF -- you need the background in focus too.
Position Yourself
Face the camera directly. Look into the lens. Keep your head straight -- not tilted or turned. Shoulders square to the camera.
Get Your Expression Right
Neutral expression with mouth closed. Eyes open naturally. Remove glasses completely. Keep hair away from face. No smiling (even slight smiles can cause rejection).
Take Multiple Photos
Take 5-10 photos and pick the best one. Review for shadows on face or background. Check that both eyes are clearly visible and you're centered in the frame.
Tip
Don’t worry if the wall isn’t perfectly white — our tool removes and replaces the background automatically.
Getting the Lighting Right
Lighting is the single biggest factor in whether your photo passes or gets rejected. Morning and midday natural light through a window is ideal — face the window so the light falls evenly across your face. Overcast days actually produce better results than direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows and squinting.
Here’s a quick self-check: look at your face in the phone screen before you shoot. If you can see a shadow under your nose, reposition until it disappears. Shadows under the chin, around the eyes, or on one side of the face will all cause rejection. Window light consistently beats ring lights and desk lamps because it’s broader and more even — artificial light sources tend to create hotspots and uneven shadows that are hard to eliminate.
We don't edit your face
We remove the background and crop to exact size — that’s it. Your face is preserved exactly as photographed. No smoothing, no enhancement, no retouching.
Step 7: Upload to Our Tool
Once you have your photo, upload it to our tool. We’ll automatically:
- Remove and replace the background
- Crop to exact 2x2 inch specifications
- Validate compliance with State Department rules
- Create a printable 4x6 sheet with 6 photos
Source: U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common Mistakes
- ✕ Shadows on face
- ✕ Wearing glasses
- ✕ Smiling or expression
- ✕ Camera too close (keep 4-5 feet distance)
- ✕ Head tilted
- ✕ Using front camera
Tips for Success
- ✓ Face your light source directly
- ✓ Use rear camera for best quality
- ✓ Neutral expression, mouth closed
- ✓ 4-5 feet distance from camera
- ✓ Head straight and centered
- ✓ Take multiple photos and pick the best
For a complete list of rejection reasons, see our passport photo rejection guide.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a passport photo with my iPhone?
Yes! Any modern smartphone (iPhone or Android) can take compliant passport photos. Use the rear camera for best quality, hold it at eye level, and make sure you have good lighting.
What background do I need for a passport photo?
You need a plain white or off-white background with no patterns, shadows, or objects. A white wall works well. Our tool can also digitally remove any background and replace it with compliant white.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
No. US passport photos require a neutral expression with your mouth closed. A natural, relaxed face is fine -- just no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows.
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
No. As of 2016, the US State Department no longer allows glasses in passport photos, even prescription glasses. Remove them before taking your photo.
How should I do my hair for a passport photo?
Your full face must be visible from forehead to chin and both edges. Keep hair away from your face and eyes. Headbands and clips are fine if they don't cover any part of your face.
Can I take my own passport photo (selfie)?
Technically yes, but it's tricky. You need the camera 4-5 feet away at eye level. Using a tripod with a timer or having someone else take the photo gives much better results.
Ready? Upload Your Photo
Our tool handles the technical stuff — automatic background removal, size cropping, and compliance checking. Just upload a decent photo and we'll make it passport-ready.
Create Your Photo -- $1100% refund if your photo is rejected