PASSPORT PHOTO GUIDE FOR NORWICH, NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

HOW TO DRESS FOR A PASSPORT PHOTO

Wondering what clothing you should wear for your passport photos? Please stick to darker colours if possible and do not wear anything shiny or metallic.
NO - Hats or Headwear
YES - Religious Coverings

Wondering how to style your hair for passport photos? Keep things simple and out of your face - the key here is to allow your eyes to be seen, so ladies, I'm looking at you - tuck that hair behind your ears or get it out of your face!
NO - Hair styles that cover your face in any way
Yes - Hair worn loose if not covering face
YES - Hair down and tucked behind ears
YES - Hair in a pony tail
YES - Hair in a bun

Wondering what you should do about your glasses during your passport photos? Thinking "Should I take off my glasses for a passport photo?"... The long and short of it is, if you're able to take them off, do so, because there's much more chance your application will be accepted, however you can wear them as long as they do not obstruct your eyes. If the lenses cover your eyes in any way, then you need to take them off for your passport photos.
NO - Sunglasses or dark lenses
NO - Glasses frames which cover your eyes from the camera
YES - Glasses as long as your eyes are visible

Wondering what sort of lighting you need for a photographer to come and take your passport photos? Do not fear when booking with me, I bring full professional lighting, but the general rule of thumb is no back shadows and no side shadows. You need even fullf-ace lighting and no cast shadows.
NO - Shadow
YES - Even lighting

Image credit to https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

HOW TO POSE FOR A PASSPORT PHOTO

The best way to get your passport photos approved quickly is to get the photo correct, as well as providing all of the correct information about your passport, of course!

The photos need to be clear, sharp and only minimally edited to ensure that they're approved, but you also need to ensure that you are posed correctly.

"How do I pose in a passport picture?" - Well, the long and short of it is that the passport application office would like you to be neutral in your expression, with no expression on your face, looking forwards with no coverings over your face, eyes, nose or mouth. This means no masks, no hats, no dark glasses and no hair loose down the sides of your face. If you're looking for advice on hair and clothing, head up the page to the previous post about what to wear.

To ensure that your passport photos are accepted, make sure that you look straight at the camera with a blank expression and that you do not smile, not even a hint of smiling is allowed and they are very strict!

When children need passport photos, ensure that they do not have dummies and that there is only one person in the photograph holding them. They must be looking at the camera and they must not be making silly faces or smiling either - tough work, I know!

Getting your kids to cooperate for a passport photo can be very difficult when they're too young to understand reasoning, but time and patience will pay off when your passport photos are accepted first time and you don't have to re-apply!

For more information on how to get passport photos of children, keep scrolling below for a dedicated infographic on children's passport photos.

Image credit to https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

HOW TO TAKE A PASSPORT PHOTO OF MY BABY OR TODDLER

Children must be on their own in the picture, and not holding toys or dummies. The background must be a plain textured white background. This means no fur rugs or fluffy blankets!!

Children under one do not have to have their eyes open for passport photos. You can support their heads with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo and the background must be plain and smooth, without an obvious hand under a blanket.

You have to be a little careful with these passport photos so for this one, a professional studio setup with a lightc-oloured backdrop designed especially for babies is a great idea and I'm always happy to bring the baby studio along for passport photos if you let me know beforehand.

Image credit to https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

UK PASSPORT PHOTO SIZE IN INCHES AND CM

The UK standard passport photo size is:

45mm x 25mm millimetres

1.77 x 1.37 inches

Image credit to https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

UK PASSPORT PHOTO RULES TO GET YOUR APPLICATION ACCEPTED THE FIRST TIME

• There must be a close up of your full unobscured head

• Your passport photo should include your upper shoulders

• Your passport photo should contain no other objects or people in it

• Your passport photograph must be taken against a plain cream or light grey background with no shadows caused by flash or lights

• You must be in clear contrast to the background of the photograph

• You must not have ‘red eye' from flash lighting equipment

• You must be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera in your passport photo or it will be rejected

• You must have a plain expression and your mouth closed in the passport photos

• You must have your eyes open and visible in the passport photos

• You not have hair in front of your eyes in the passport photos

• Passport photos do not allow head coverings (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)

• Passport photos are to show your face, so you must not have anything covering your face at all

• Passport photos do not allow any shadows on your face or behind you in the photographs so lighting must be spot on

• Do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so. If you must wear your glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses. You must make sure your eyes are in no way covered by the frames or any reflections, shadows or glare

HOW DO I PRINT MY PASSPORT PHOTOS?

Any local print shop can help with printing your photo but they will charge for this service. You need to include 2 identical physically printed photos if you're applying for a passport using a paper form and sending it in the post. If you're applying for your passport online, you can use digital photos and send them via your digital device.

According to UK law you must get a new photo when you get a new passport even if your appearance hasn't really changed and the photo has to have been taken in the last month - with digital photos, they can tell when the images were taken by checking something called metadata which is embedded within each digital photo by the machine that was used to produce or edit it. The take-away here is to use a new photo as they can tell the age of the image, don't try to fool them by sending in really old photos. If your photos don't meet the above rules, your passport application will be rejected and you will have to reapply which will cost you valuable time and money!

Source: British passport eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

HOW OLD IS THE PHOTO ALLOWED TO BE BEFORE MY PASSPORT APPLICATION IS REJECTED?

WHERE CAN I GET PASSPORT PHOTOS DONE IN NORFOLK OR SUFFOLK?

Please check local availability before traveling as this list is not updated frequently

Thunder Lane Post Office | Norfolk | NR7 0AB
Asda Norwich Superstore Norwich: in Hellesdon
Timpsons in Dereham - Dereham, Tesco by Timpson

If you know of any other stores offering this service or if you'd like to report a closed location, please get in touch

USEFUL LINKS AND SOURCES

Apply online for a UK passport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Get a passport urgently: How to apply - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Renew or replace your adult passport: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Get a passport for your child: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Change your name or personal details on your passport: How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Collective (group) passports: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
British passport eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Passports - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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