Do not wear a hat or any other head covering unless you already do so on a daily basis for religious purposes. If you do wear a head covering, for a U. S. passport, your face has to be visible. The covering can’t hide your hairline or cast shadows over any part of your face. [2] X Research source
Wear a little oil-absorbing powder to prevent shine if you want to. This will be most useful on your forehead or nose. Even if you don’t usually wear makeup, you may want to put a bit of concealer or powder over any dark circles under your eyes. These dark places can cause a glare (and make you look sick or tired). [4] X Research source Cover up any blemishes you have with a little concealer so they don’t show up in the photo. [5] X Expert Source Crystal BearProfessional Photographer Expert Interview. 21 January 2021.
Wear something flattering and reasonably comfortable. Don’t wear anything too flashy, or it will cause people to look at your outfit instead of your face. Pay most attention to your shirt, since that’s what will be in the photo. Scoop or v-necks work nicely. [8] X Research source If it’s too low cut or if it’s a tank top, you might look naked, so check the neckline. [9] X Research source Since you will be in front of a white or black background, avoid those colors. Choose colors that flatter your skin tone. Wear a minimal amount of jewelry. Uniforms or anything that resembles a uniform (including camouflage) are not allowed unless they are religious attire that you wear every day. [10] X Research source Some people have reported that the passport office rejected their photo because it looked too much like previous photos (which means that the passport office couldn’t confirm that it was a recent picture), so you should dress a bit differently than you did in your last photo if this is an update. [11] X Research source
If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application. Reapply makeup. In particular, if you tend to look shiny in photos, you may want to add a bit of oil-absorbing powder at the last minute. Be sure to also check for lipstick smears or eye makeup that has smudged. [13] X Research source
If your hair is very long, you may want to only arrange one side of it over your shoulders. If it covers the straps of your shirt or hides the sleeves, you might look naked. [15] X Research source
The photographer will ask you to face the camera directly, since this is a government requirement. If you’re taking your own photo, be sure to square your shoulders and look directly into the camera. [17] X Research source Your head must be between 50% and 69% of the total height of the photo. Measure from the top of your head (including your hair and any headwear) to the bottom of your chin. [18] X Research source
If your expression looks “unusual” or you are squinting at all, the passport office may reject the photo, which will delay the process of getting your passport. [22] X Research source If you choose not to smile at all, think of a happy thought so that your eyes will still appear friendly and pleasant. [23] X Research source
shipping centers (in the U. S. , this includes Fedex and UPS) places with memberships (such as Costco and AAA) Costco offers some of the cheapest passport photos. AAA will sometimes do it for free if you’ve booked a trip through their travel services. pharmacies and retail stores (CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart all offer this service) professional photography studios passport offices (many offer this service, but not all, so call ahead) registered passport expediters (if you need it in under two weeks) in your own home (but be sure to follow the strict requirements)
If you find that the skin around your eyebrows gets red after you pluck them, try applying cool, wet tea bags or a bit of aloe.
