7 Tips to Take a Passport Photo That You Won't Regret

Are you planning to travel abroad in the near future? You have to own a passport to go abroad, it is a prerequisite condition. A passport contains several important details. While your personal information is important, your passport photo is something you should not skim.

Why is the Photo on Your Passport Important?

Authorities will use the photo on your passport as a mode of identification. They will try to match your photo with your face to ensure that you are the owner of the passport. Additionally, your passport photo can help the authorities locate you in case anything happens in a foreign place.

Can You Take Your Own Photo?

In other countries, you can use a self-taken picture for your passport. It ensures you will have a photo you do not regret afterward. You can send the passport photo online later during the registration.

Meanwhile, an officer will usually take your picture for the official photo of your passport in some countries like Indonesia. Some people may find it more convenient, but you are at the officer's mercy regarding quality.

Is there any way to ensure you come out good in your passport picture?

Tips to Take Good Photos for Passport

Following these tips not only ensures that you come out decent in your photo but also that you follow the guidelines of authorities worldwide.

Nothing Covers Up the Face

Nothing should cover up your face when taking a profile picture for the passport. It will make your face less identifiable to the authorities. It can also create an issue in countries where the immigration process is more stringent.

You should ensure that your hair is tucked away neatly at the side of your face so it will not obstruct the view. Any attribute that can cover up your face should be removed too.

Simple Makeup is Alright

Nobody wants to look unflattering on their formal document. If you want to look extra good in your passport photo, you can put some makeup on your face before taking that photo. It will boost your confidence.

However, you need to remember not to put on excessive makeup to the point that your face becomes unrecognizable. Simplicity is the key here.

Pick the Right Size

Choosing the right passport photo size should not be a concern if you take the photo in the immigration office. You should still know it, in case you have to take a passport picture alone.

The right size for an Indonesian passport is 3 x 4 centimeters. It is a different size requirement from the U.S. passport, which is 5.1 x 5.1 centimeters. Other countries may have their own standards too.

Find Good Lighting

Makeup can only take you so far. If you want to look decent on the passport, you must find good lighting to take your picture.

Unfortunately, playing around with lighting will be difficult if you take your photo at the immigration office. Nevertheless, you can still tell the officer that you want to retake the picture if the photo is not to your liking, lighting-wise.

Fill the Space Adequately

You want your passport photo to look full and open. Because of that, you need to position yourself proportionately according to the available space in the photo.

The most important thing is that your head is positioned right at the center of the space. Authorities will not accept pictures in which your head is on the side of the frame.

Choose Neutral Background

A neutral background is important in any formal photo because it makes your face look clearer. If you take a picture of the passport by yourself, you must choose a neutral, uniformed-colored background.

Each country has its own standard background color for passport photo requirements. White is a generally accepted background color, but other countries may prefer red or blue.

No Filter

Are you considering editing your photo to make it look flattering on the passport? You should rethink that decision because filters can change how your face looks.

You must keep your photo simple with little to no editing. A little touch-up on blemishes is fine, but not to the point that you will look like a different person.

Now, you have your travel documents with a good passport photo. You are ready to embark on a journey to a foreign country. Don’t forget to be prepared finance-wise too! You can use various methods to make travel payments abroad, like Flip Globe.