Why you should get your passport photos from us
March 1st, 2017
Having passport photos taken can be daunting. Many questions enter your head before you even begin filling in the form. What do you wear? What do I do with my hair (if it's long)? The main question that will recur in your mind is "What happens if my passport photos are rejected?". Here to help you are a set of guidance notes that you can refer to should you be in a position for a brand new passport or even a renewal. We guarantee the passport and visa photos we take against rejection and if they are then we will take them again FREE of charge (just bring your letter of rejection)
We guarantee the passport and visa photos we take against rejection and if they are then we will take them again FREE of charge (just bring your letter of rejection)
UK passport photo rules and guidance
UK passport photos have a standard size of 45mm x 35mm and are produced in portrait format. These can be taken in a photo booth which are present in supermarkets. However I would advise against this as we have had many customers who have come after their photos have been rejected because the photo booth is not able to judge distance from the camera correctly in many cases. When I take a passport photo, it is taken first in landscape format with a lot of space around the head. The next step is to use our calibrated machine to crop the photo to the required specifications. Photo specifications of what is allowed and not allowed are shown in the image
Your photos must:
be a close-up of your full head and upper shoulders
contain no other objects or people
be in clear contrast to the background
In your photo, you must:
be facing forward and looking straight at the camera
have a neutral expression and your mouth closed
have your eyes open, visible and free from reflection or glare from glasses
not have hair in front of your eyes
not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
not have anything covering your face
not have any ‘red eye’
not have any shadows on your face or behind you
You can’t wear sunglasses or tinted glasses. You can wear reading glasses but your eyes must show fully through clear lenses without glare or reflections.
Guidance on how passport photos should be taken (from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/static/passport_photos_large.jpg)
UK passport photos, visa and driving licence specifications
UK Passport photos should be 45mmx35mm with the face being between 29mm and 34mm. Hair must be off the face with the eyebrows in view. You must have a neutral expression.
US passport photo specification and guidance
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Recent, taken in the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
Matte or glossy photo quality paper
Plain white or off-white background
Head must face the camera directly with full face in view
Taken with a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open
In colour
Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis
No glasses (If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application).
No hats or head coverings (Unless worn daily for religious or medical purposes. Submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public or a signed doctor's statement verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes. Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.)
No headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
51mm x 51mm (2inch x 2inch) with the dimensions of the face and head given for US passport photos.
Indian passport and visa photo specifications
The photograph should be in color and of the size of 2 inch x 2 inch (50 mm x 50 mm)
Photo needs to presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm to 35 mm). Eye height is between 1- 1/8 inches to 1-3.
The photo-print should be clear and with a continuous-tone quality.
It should have full face, front view, eyes open.
Photo should present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
Centre head within frame.
The background should be a plain light coloured background.
There should not be any distracting shadows on the face or on the background.
Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown
The expression on the face should look natural.
Indian visa and passport photo example with measurements
Children and babies
Passport photos for children and babies are particularly complicated. The main reasons being, though their parents want the passport photos so they can apply for a child passport, the child in question doesn't see the importance. Time is of the essence to avoid distress to the baby or child when it comes to taking photos. However, it can be very time intensive to get the photos correct and to specification due to children not wanting to sit still. Photobooths are best avoided because the stool will not raise high enough and therefore the photos will be produced possibly to incorrect specifications. Photos of babies who are unable to support their heads by themselves are taken with them laid down on a white towel. If they are under 6 months, they don't have to have their eyes open in the photo. Children who are below six must look at the camera but even here there is some leeway due to the age of the child. We always check specifications prior to taking child and baby passport photos to avoid disappointment and rejection by authorities
Children aged five and under do not need to have a neutral expression or to look directly at the camera. Babies under one don’t need to have their eyes open. If the baby’s head needs to be supported, the supporting hand must not be seen. All other photograph standards must be met.
Pricing structure
UK Passport photos 45mm x 35mm supplied in packs of 4 - £6.99
UK Passport photos 45mm x 35mm supplied in packs of 8 - £8.99
Children and babies UK Passport 45mm x 35mm in pack of 4 - £9.99
US Passport and visa photos 51mm x 51mm supplied in packs of 4 - £8.99
Indian Visa and passport photos 50mm x 50mm supplied in packs of 4 - £8.99
