How to Look Good in Your Passport Photo

What a lot of people sometimes forget is that when you’re taking a photo for any kind of ID, you’ll have to live with it for at least five to ten years. Looking good on paper isn’t just being vain, especially when it comes to your passport photo, as you will present this identification document to a lot of people for so many times.

So, how do you nail your passport photo? Here are some tips in taking one that won’t make you feel embarrassed every time you hand your travel documents to other people:

1. Know the rules. The Bureau of Consular Affairs actually has guidelines for passport photos, so you need to know about them. Even if you manage to look good in a photo, if it doesn’t fit the state requirements, your efforts will all go to waste.

2. Prepare for the harsh lighting. Most photo ID taking places will use harsh lighting to capture your ID photo. You have to be ready for this. Make sure to manage any excess oils on your face, as it can leave you looking gross and haggard in your picture. You can opt to blot it away, use a good makeup primer, and put on some powder or foundation. Make sure not to use any product with glitter as well, as that can cause a good glare with the flash. If you’re also going to hide imperfections on your skin, make sure that your makeup base is blended properly and that you face and neck are of the same shade.

As flash will also wash you out, putting on some makeup will help make you look more alive. Natural looking makeup is the most recommended, as you’ll need to look like your passport photo at all times. Work on enhancing your features and stay away from experimenting on your look with bold shades and taking some artistic liberties on your face.

4. Dress accordingly. While you’re not really required to wear specific items when taking a passport photo, it’s still best to wear something more business-like for the occasion. Men will do no wrong by wearing something with a collar – may it be a dress shirt or a polo shirt. As for women, there’s no necessity for a collared shirt, but always go for something with a high neck so you won’t look naked once the photo is already cropped to feature your face.
5. Ask the photographer to count to three and make sure to blink on “one”. This will help you avoid being photographed mid-blink, which will resort to an odd passport photo.

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll surely find yourself looking good on your passport.