Let’s be honest: no one loves their passport photo. But taking one doesn’t have to mean standing under bad lighting in a drugstore aisle or at the post office while strangers stare at you. With a little prep and a smartphone, you can take your own passport photo at home and save yourself time and money. Plus, you can retake your photo as many times as you need to and get one you’re happy with.
Ready to make your DIY passport photo session slightly less awkward and a whole lot more convenient than the drugstore version? Let’s dive in.
Can you take your own passport photo?
Yes, you can take your own passport photo as long as you follow all the official requirements from theU.S. Department of State. That means meeting strict rules for size, lighting, expression, and background. But don’t worry: we’ll give you all the details so you can snap your shot with confidence (and no closed eyes).
Get ready for many similar photos on your iPhone
Spoiler alert: You probably won’t nail your perfect passport photo on the first try. Be prepared to fill your camera roll with dozens of nearly identical images while you try to perfect your pose and dodge awkward shadows.
Here’s a tip: after your mini photo shoot, open CleanMy®Phone and use the Organize Module to sort through your photos by People. This makes it easy to weed out the blurry, shadowy, or just plain weird photos and keep only the best versions of you. Bonus: It’s also great for cleaning up duplicates and freeing up space.
How to take passport photos at home
You don’t need a fancy setup, just your smartphone, a blank wall, and a bit of patience. The above photo shows an acceptable pose and amount of white space. It just needs to be cropped into a square.
Which resolution, print size, and quality are applicable?
Here’s what your photo needs to meet U.S. passport standards:
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- Head size: From chin to the top of head should be 1–1.4 inches (25–35 mm)
- Resolution: At least 600 x 600 pixels
- Color: Full color, not black and white or overly filtered
- Quality: No blurriness, pixelation, or retouching
- Background: White or off-white only
Make sure the photo is sharp, well-lit, and high-quality: this isn’t the time to add a portrait filter or Instagram glow, and you should not have excessive shadows from harsh lighting.
How to choose pose and expression while taking a passport photo at home
- Stand or sit straight with your face fully visible and centered in the frame.
- Look directly at the camera: no side glances, duck lips, or tilted heads.
- Keep a neutral expression or a natural smile (yes, a little smile is allowed—just no teeth showing).
- Eyes should be open and clearly visible.
Pro tip: Use your phone’s front-facing camera with a tripod or prop it up on a stack of books. Use the timer to give yourself time to compose yourself.
How to set up lighting and shadows to take a passport photo at home
Good lighting can make or break your photo.
- Use natural light if possible—stand near a window facing you.
- Avoid overhead lights that cause shadows on your face or background.
- Use even lighting from both sides to reduce shadows on your cheeks or under your chin.
- No dramatic shadows or harsh light—keep it soft and balanced.
Pro tip: A ring light or softbox works great, but a couple of lamps with white bulbs on either side of you can do the trick.
Requirements for attire, hats, and glasses for passport photos
- No uniforms or camouflage
- No hats or head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons (and they can’t cover your face)
- No glasses unless you have a signed medical waiver. The photo above would not be acceptable.
- Wear regular clothes (solid colors are best) that contrast with a white background
Also, no headphones, earbuds, scarves that cover your face, or wireless devices are in your ears. Keep it simple and official.
Bonus Tip: Getting Your Photo Off Your iPhone and Onto Your Computer
Once you’ve got your perfect shot, you’ll probably need to upload or print it. If you're submitting your photo online for a passport renewal, make sure the file is correctly sized and meets all digital requirements.
Need to move the photo to your computer for editing or printing? Check out this guide on how to transfer photo from iPhone to computer.
Taking your passport photo at home is easier than ever and a whole lot less awkward than a drugstore photoshoot. With the right lighting, pose, and a little patience, you can get it done in under an hour.
Just remember: follow the official requirements, be picky about the best version of yourself, and tidy up your photo library afterward with a little help from CleanMy®Phone.
Because no one needs 37 versions of the same “almost smile.”
