Passport Photos: Professional or DIY?

As a protocol for all passport photographs, every individual must submit one photo that meets all the standards and requirements requested by the government. This will be submitted together with the passport application.

By submitting a photo that meets all necessary requirements, you are avoiding:

• Denial of your passport application
• Delay in the processing of your passport application
• Wasting time for an incorrect application
• Resubmitting a new application
• Rewriting and having a new photograph taken to replace the incorrect photograph you have submitted

United States Photo Requirements

• The photograph must be in color, not black and white or sepia.
• It should be printed as either matte or glossy texture using quality and high-grade photo paper.
• It measure as two by two inches or 51 by 51 millimeter in size.
• Your head in the photograph must measure at least one inch to one and three-eights inches or 25 to 35 millimeter, starting below your chin up to the very top portion of your head.
• The photograph must be taken at least six months to ensure that your photo reflects your most current look and appearance.
• The photograph must use a plain white or a bit off-white colored background.
• The photograph must be taken with your full face in view. To make sure this happens, your face must be facing the camera directly when your photo is being taken at the photo center.
• The photograph of yourself must depict the most natural expression you are capable of. It is okay to smile but make sure it looks natural as well and it should keep your eyes from closing. Your photograph must be taken with your eyes open.

Professional or Do-It-Yourself

Getting your photograph taken for your American passport can be done with the help of a photo specialist in photo centers like Walgreen passport photo centers or you can do it by yourself.

It is best to have your photo taken by a professional or photo specialist because you are certain of the following:

• The photograph will look better in color and quality
• The photograph will meet all standards and requirements the government mandates
• The photograph print will have the right dimensions most of the time
• You will avoid delays as the photo specialist will help you all the way

If you think you will save more by taking the photo yourself, then make sure of the following tips:

• Selfies or personal portraits are not allowed
• Digitally enhancing your photo with the use of tools like Photoshop is not allowed because it might alter or change your appearance
• If you are going to use a digital camera, not a DLSR, then you must remember to make the dimensions of the image as:
  1. Square in ratio or height is equal to the width
  2. Pixels must be 600 by 600 to 1200 by 1200
• Color of the image must be sRGB color space, one of the most common color output of photos taken by digital cameras

You can also use the free photo tool available at the US Department of State in case you wish to use a photo available in your computer or laptop.