By David Hawkin
You may feel daunted having your passport photograph taken. Don't be! This simple guide should ensure you don't encounter any pitfalls thus enabling a seamless vacation. Different countries have different demands, here are the US State Department's specifications.
Each passport application requires two identical passport pictures.
The paper your passport photos are printed on must be of special photo-media quality.
The Passport Photos you have printed must be in colour.
Only passport pictures taken within the last 6 months are acceptable.
The passport pictures must be 50mm x 50mm to qualify for a US passport application.
Your picture must be square to the camera with out anything obscuring the face. Clothing should be simple day to day dress without a head covering or polarised glasses in front of a white screen. As you look at the camera ensure your mouth is closed and your posture is natural with eyes that are open. The photos must be clear sharp and not have a grainy image otherwise they will be disallowed.
Your head must be in the middle of the photograph and make up at least fifty percent of the picture. The measurements of your head should be within 1" and 1 3/8" from the top of your crown to the bottom of your chin.
A headscarf of covering can be worn for reasons of religion but your full face must be visible.
You may wear everyday spectacles in the passport photo, however there should be no glare or reflection that obscures your eyes.
You may only wear tinted glasses in you passport picture on medical grounds. You may need to provide written documentation from your Dr on request.
You can have your passport picture taken in uniform if you wear it every day for religious purposes.
It can be difficult to get passport photos of children in which case it is advisable to have them taken professionally. Parents and Grandparents shouldn't be visible in the pictures and any props or posing aids should be totally absent from the final photo.
Obtaining a copy of a photo from your driving license is not allowed. Digitally manipulating your photos using computer software will result in them being rejected.
Photographs copied from newspapers and magazines will not comply with the strict regulations. It is also likely that pictures from most vending booths will be rejected. Photos that are a full length body shot of the subject will also be disallowed.
It is possible to use your own digital camera at home to take your photos if it is of a high enough quality. The camera must be able to take pictures at a resolution of 1 million pixels or more. However when printing your passport photos you should go to a professional lab as most home printers cannot produce a satisfactory result.
Each passport application requires two identical passport pictures.
The paper your passport photos are printed on must be of special photo-media quality.
The Passport Photos you have printed must be in colour.
Only passport pictures taken within the last 6 months are acceptable.
The passport pictures must be 50mm x 50mm to qualify for a US passport application.
Your picture must be square to the camera with out anything obscuring the face. Clothing should be simple day to day dress without a head covering or polarised glasses in front of a white screen. As you look at the camera ensure your mouth is closed and your posture is natural with eyes that are open. The photos must be clear sharp and not have a grainy image otherwise they will be disallowed.
Your head must be in the middle of the photograph and make up at least fifty percent of the picture. The measurements of your head should be within 1" and 1 3/8" from the top of your crown to the bottom of your chin.
A headscarf of covering can be worn for reasons of religion but your full face must be visible.
You may wear everyday spectacles in the passport photo, however there should be no glare or reflection that obscures your eyes.
You may only wear tinted glasses in you passport picture on medical grounds. You may need to provide written documentation from your Dr on request.
You can have your passport picture taken in uniform if you wear it every day for religious purposes.
It can be difficult to get passport photos of children in which case it is advisable to have them taken professionally. Parents and Grandparents shouldn't be visible in the pictures and any props or posing aids should be totally absent from the final photo.
Obtaining a copy of a photo from your driving license is not allowed. Digitally manipulating your photos using computer software will result in them being rejected.
Photographs copied from newspapers and magazines will not comply with the strict regulations. It is also likely that pictures from most vending booths will be rejected. Photos that are a full length body shot of the subject will also be disallowed.
It is possible to use your own digital camera at home to take your photos if it is of a high enough quality. The camera must be able to take pictures at a resolution of 1 million pixels or more. However when printing your passport photos you should go to a professional lab as most home printers cannot produce a satisfactory result.
About the Author:
David runs the family pharmacy in Leeds which his great Grandfather founded. For more information about passport photos then please visit his site.