ID Photos

How to Take a Passport Photo at Home (DIY Guide)

Take a compliant passport photo at home: lighting, plain wall, 1.5m distance and phone settings. Preview free — HD download $1, 300-DPI print sheet $2

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Privacy note：Advanced smart enhancements show clear guidance before use. Please make sure you have permission to edit the photo.

Make Your ID Photo

40+ countries · 400+ China formats · Exact pixel output · crop-only mode for strict documents · background tools for eligible formats

Setup: Background, Lighting, Distance

1

Find a Plain Wall

White or off-white for the US, Japan and China; light grey or cream for the UK and Schengen. No texture, doors, or decorations in frame.

2

Use Daylight, Not Flash

Face a window so light falls evenly on your face. Avoid overhead lights (eye shadows) and flash (red-eye, harsh background shadows).

3

Stand Away From the Wall

Stand 0.5–1m in front of the wall so your body casts no shadow on it.

4

Camera at Eye Level, 1.5m Away

Have someone else shoot from about 1.5m (NZ explicitly requires this for online renewal). Use a tripod and timer if alone — selfies are rejected by several authorities.

Phone Camera Settings

  • Rear camera, not the selfie camera (higher quality, correct perspective)
  • Portrait mode OFF — it artificially blurs the background
  • Beauty mode / filters OFF — any enhancement can trigger rejection
  • HDR on is fine; grid lines on to keep the camera level
  • No digital zoom — step closer instead
  • Highest resolution setting available

Where Our Tool Fits — and an Honest Warning

Our tool crops to the exact official size, checks head height, and can replace the background with AI (uploaded only when AI processing is selected). But be honest with yourself about the authority: the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand require unaltered original photos and explicitly ban AI or software modification — for those, use our tool for composition and sizing only and submit the untouched original. Canada additionally requires a commercial photographer for passport photos. Preview free — HD download $1, 300-DPI print sheet $2.

When DIY Is Not Allowed

Canada requires passport photos to be taken by a commercial photographer (name, address and date stamped on the back for paper; verified for online renewal). Some other authorities require professional or on-site capture. Always check your specific authority's rules first.

Sources

Sources: U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html), verified 2026-07-17; NZ DIA — Passport Photos / Online Renewal (https://www.passports.govt.nz/passport-photos/), verified 2026-07-18; GOV.UK — Rules for digital passport photos (https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports), verified 2026-07-17; IRCC — Passport photo requirements (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/photos.html), verified 2026-07-17.

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FAQ

Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
Yes, most authorities accept phone photos if they meet all requirements — use the rear camera, no filters, no portrait mode, good daylight, and have someone else take it from about 1.5m away.
Is a selfie acceptable for a passport photo?
Usually not recommended and explicitly rejected for NZ online passport renewal. Selfies distort facial proportions and rarely meet composition rules. Have someone else take the photo.
Can I edit my home-taken photo before submitting?
For strict authorities (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ): no — they require unaltered originals and ban AI/software modification. For flexible uses (resumes, some domestic IDs), light processing such as our AI background replacement is fine.