Taking Your Own Passport Photo

Get someone to take your photo for you. Do not use a selfie. Try to avoid using artificial or mixed light. Daylight is best.

Face the subject towards a window even if this means they may not be parallel to the background. Do not have the light coming from one side.

Take the photo against a plain white, cream or light grey background using at least a 3 Megapixel camera or phone camera within a month of applying for the passport.

Don't stand the subject right up to the background step them forward about one metre. This helps to avoid shadows on the background.

Don't take a head and shoulder shot, leave plenty of space above their head and take the photo down to their mid-tummy. We will crop it to the correct specifications for you.

Ensure that the subject is in focus and there are no other objects or people in the image.

Ensure there are no shadows, creases or marks on the background. If these can't be helped, don't worry we can clean up unsuitable backgrounds.

Ensure the subject is facing forward and looking straight at the camera. Take the photo on a level with the subject's eyes. Do not look up or down to the subject.

Ensure the subject has a neutral expression (i.e. not smiling, although this does not mean they have to look glum or miserable!) and that their mouth is closed.

Ensure there is nothing covering their face and that any hair is clear of their eyes.

Ensure the subject is in clear contrast to the background. (i.e. don't use a similar colour background to the hair colour).

Ensure the subject does not have a head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons.

Ensure the eyes are open, visible and free from red eye, reflections or glare from glasses. Try to get a catch lights in each eye.

Ensure the subject's eyes are are not covered by sunglasses, tinted glasses, glasses' frames or hair. It is better to remove glasses as these can throw automatic facial recognition.

Additional information for children's and babies' passport photos:

The best way to take a passport photo of a baby is to lay them flat on a clean, plain, light coloured blanket, but avoid creases. Sheets tend to get creased.

If they are able to sit up or for toddlers the best way is to sit them on a table a little way in front of a plain, light coloured wall and again facing a window. Do not have the light coming from one side.

Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies.

If the child is under 5, they don’t have to be looking directly at the camera and they don't need to have their mouth closed.

Remember, we will only charge you once the photo is suitable and checked to be acceptable so don't hesitate to send in two or three shots of the same person and we will select the best one.

Please email your photos to skphotographyuk@gmail.com