How to take a passport photo at home

The rules for a US passport photo

The State Department asks for a color photo, 2 x 2 inches, taken in the last six months, against a plain white or off-white background. Your head, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair, must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches. Face the camera directly, with a neutral expression or a natural smile and both eyes open.

Glasses are not allowed, and neither are filters, retouching or hats, except for religious or medical reasons with a signed statement. Rules change from time to time, so check travel.state.gov before you apply.

Taking the photo

Ask someone else to take it: selfies are not accepted, and a phone held at arm's length distorts the face. About 4 feet away with the rear camera, at eye level, gives natural proportions and a sharper image.

Light matters more than the camera. Stand facing a window during the day so the light falls evenly on your face, and step a little away from the wall so your shadow does not land on the background. Avoid the flash, which leaves glare and hard shadows.

Wear something that contrasts with the background — a white shirt against a white wall makes the shoulders disappear.

Cropping to the right size

The passport photo tool frames the photo at exactly 2 x 2 inches, with an outline that follows the head-size rule. Drag the photo and zoom until the face fills the outline from chin to top of the hair.

The tool crops and sizes the photo, but it does not replace the background, so the wall behind you has to be right in the original.

Printing six photos for under a dollar

The tool lays out six 2x2 photos on one 4x6 image. Upload it to a pharmacy or photo kiosk as a regular 4x6 print, making sure no cropping or "fit" option is applied, and cut along the thin grey lines.

With a printer at home, choose the Letter sheet instead. It downloads as a PDF: print it at actual size (100%), not "fit to page", on photo paper.