How to Create Perfect Passport Photos at Home

Published: June 21, 2025

Needing a passport photo can be a hassle. You have to find a photo booth or shop, pay a premium, and hope the picture turns out okay. But what if you could do it all from the comfort of your home? With a smartphone and a little know-how, you can create high-quality, compliant passport photos for free. Here’s how.

Step 1: Take a Compliant Photo

The quality of your source photo is the most important factor. Follow these official guidelines:

• Background: Stand in front of a plain, uniform white or off-white background. A smooth, well-lit wall is perfect.
• Lighting: Face a source of light (like a window) to ensure there are no shadows on your face or in the background. Do not use a direct flash, as it can cause red-eye.
• Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. Look directly at the camera.
• Attire: Wear normal daily clothing. Do not wear a uniform, and avoid hats or head coverings (unless for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement). Take off your glasses to avoid glare.
• Framing: Have someone else take the photo from a few feet away. Ensure your full head, neck, and the top of your shoulders are in the frame, with some space around your head.

Step 2: Crop and Resize to Official Dimensions

This is where most people get stuck. Different countries have different size requirements. For example:

• European Union (most countries): 35mm x 45mm
• United States: 2 x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm)

You must crop your photo precisely to these dimensions, ensuring your head is correctly positioned within the frame (e.g., between certain minimum and maximum percentages of the photo's height). Manually doing this in a photo editor is difficult. This is where a specialized tool is essential.

Step 3: Arrange for Printing

Once you have a single, correctly sized digital photo, the most cost-effective way to print is to arrange multiple copies on a standard photo paper size, like 4x6 inches (10x15 cm) or A4. This allows you to print 6-8 passport photos for the price of a single photo print.