How to Take a Good Passport Photo at Home

Getting a passport photo rejected is frustrating — and completely avoidable. Here are the five things that matter most.

1. Use a Plain White or Off-White Background

Every country's passport spec requires a neutral, plain background. The easiest way to achieve this at home is to stand in front of a white wall or hang a white sheet behind you.

Avoid:

• Patterned wallpaper
• Colored walls
• Shadows falling on the background

2. Get the Lighting Right

Harsh shadows on your face or background are one of the most common rejection reasons. Soft, even lighting works best.

What works: Facing a window in daylight (overcast days are ideal). Or using two lamps placed on either side of your face.

What to avoid: Direct sunlight (creates harsh shadows), a single overhead light, or shooting with a bright window behind you.

3. Keep Your Expression Neutral

Smiling is not allowed for most countries' passport photos. Keep your mouth closed, look directly at the camera, and maintain a relaxed, neutral expression.

4. Frame It Correctly

Your face should take up 70–80% of the photo frame. The top of your head should be near (but not touching) the top of the frame, and your chin should have some space at the bottom.

Most smartphones held at arm's length, or propped up at eye level, will give you the right framing.

5. Use Our AI to Fix the Rest

Even if your lighting or background isn't perfect, our AI automatically:

• Removes and replaces the background with the correct color for your country
• Adjusts brightness and contrast
• Crops and resizes to the exact specification

Try it free — upload your photo now.