How to take a passport photo at home
Quick answer
Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, face a window and take the photo at eye level, looking straight at the camera; then crop it to the exact size for your document and print it at 100% or upload it. First check that your document accepts a photo you take yourself: German passports and ID cards, for example, are photographed at the office.
Updated October 4, 2026
For many passports and visas you can take the photo yourself, as long as it meets the published rules: size, head size and position, background and expression. A phone camera is enough.
Before you start, check your document: some authorities take the photo at the office or require a photo from a professional photographer.
Can you take your own passport photo?
Yes for many documents, including the US passport, the US visa, the UK passport, the Schengen visa and the Indian OCI card. No for some others: German passports and ID cards are photographed at the office, French passports and ID cards need a photo from an approved photographer or photo booth, and the Canadian passport one from a commercial photographer.
What you need
- a phone or camera
- a plain, light wall without patterns
- daylight from a window in front of you
- someone to help, or a stable place for the phone
Common mistakes
- shadows on the face or on the wall behind you
- head too small or too large in the frame
- head tilted or turned
- glare on glasses
- edited or retouched photos: several authorities reject them
Printing
Print the photo sheet at 100% ("Actual size"), never "Fit to page", and check the size with a ruler. The UK, Australia and Türkiye want professionally printed or lab-printed photos rather than home prints.
Home photo or not? Popular documents
Summarised from each document's official source; open a document for its full rules and source link.
| Document | Home photo? |
|---|---|
| US Passport Photo | Home photo OK 2×2 in |
| US Visa Photo | Home photo OK 2×2 in |
| UK Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Schengen Visa Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| India OCI Card Photo | Home photo OK 2×2 in |
| China Visa Photo | Home photo OK 33×48 mm |
| Australia Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Ireland Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| New Zealand Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Japan Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| South Korea Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| UAE Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Türkiye Passport Photo | Home photo OK 50×60 mm |
| Poland Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Italy Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Netherlands Passport Photo | Home photo OK 35×45 mm |
| Canada Passport Photo | Professional photo 50×70 mm |
| Germany Passport Photo | Taken at the office 35×45 mm |
| France Passport Photo | Professional photo 35×45 mm |
| India Passport Photo | Taken at the office 35×45 mm |
| Brazil Passport Photo | Taken at the office |
| Russia International Passport (biometric) Photo | Taken at the office |
How to take a passport photo at home
- Check your document Open the page for your document: it shows whether a home photo is accepted, the size, the head size and the background.
- Find a plain, light wall Stand about half a metre in front of it, so that no shadow falls on the wall behind you.
- Face the light Face a window in daylight. Avoid a ceiling lamp right above you and bright light from behind.
- Take the photo at eye level Hold the phone at arm's length at eye level, or ask someone to help. Look straight at the camera, mouth closed, eyes open.
- Crop to the exact size Crop the photo so that the head size and position match the rules. The Ovalight Studio does this automatically and checks the result.
- Print or upload Upload the digital file, or print the sheet at 100% on photo paper and cut along the lines.
Questions
Can I take my own passport photo with my phone?
For many documents, yes, as long as the photo meets the published rules. Check your document's page first: some countries take the photo at the office or require a professional photographer.
What background do I need?
Usually a plain white or light background, but the colours differ: white or off-white for the US passport, cream or light grey for a printed UK passport photo. Each document page lists the allowed colours.
Can I change the background afterwards?
Several authorities reject edited photos, so it is safer to take the photo against a plain, light wall. The Ovalight Studio helps you take it right instead of replacing the background.
How do I print a passport photo at home?
Print the sheet at 100% ("Actual size") on photo paper and check the size with the ruler on the sheet. UK, Australian and Turkish passports need a professional or lab print instead.
Make your photo at home
The Ovalight Studio guides you to the right shot, crops your photo to the exact size and checks it against the rules for your document.