esm

Last time I used my digital camera. I don't even remember where the said camera is!

starrs

Go to CVS. Let them take a photo. They will take several and you pick the one you like.

MmePerdu

. . . or a AAA office, did a good job with mine, very reasonable cost.

starrs

Good idea.
My AAA office is an hour away and a CVS is a few miles away. AAA took my photo for my IDL in May.
In any case, it helps to have someone know what they are doing, to prevent future delays in processing the passport. A friend's was sent back because her hair was down on her face. Not allowed. She's a hairdresser of all things! LOL
Can't smile either. IMO it's "worth it" to have someone who knows what they are doing to take the photo.
https://www.cvs.com/photo/passport-photos

esm

Thanks. I have used Walgreen's, CVS, etc before. Just wondered if there's an app as well. I guess I can check the app store.

starrs

No need for an app. Just take a photo with your smartphone camera.
Here's how to do it -
https://photoaid.com/blog/passport-photo-android-phone/

Brian_in_Charlotte

I've used one of the many passport apps (not sure which one - likely just chose a highly rated one at the Play Store) and it worked well, making it easy to get the head size right. The only time the passport office wasn't happy with it was when the background was too gray - not white enough. Worth the extra work probably only if few bucks you'll save is worth it to you (it was to me at one time).

esm

Thanks for your research Starrs and your personal experience Brian. Not trying to save, just curious. CVS is around the corner so that's the easiest option.

starrs

"Not trying to save, just curious. CVS is around the corner so that's the easiest option."

It is for me. Especially if you are going to need the passport in the near future. My friend's passport application was returned for a better photo. I just don't want to mess with that kind of aggravation. I needed a good photo for another reason (ID) and stopped at CVS and walked out with one in a few minutes. I vote "easy" and getting it right the first time.

esm

So true, especially now that wait times for passports are longer than usual.

MmePerdu

The woman who did mine at AAA knew what she was doing, as did starrs at CVS. But common sense would tell us we're all at the mercy of chance, whoever is working where & when we arrive.

starrs

Good point.
Well, the three things we know for sure =
1) white backgound (my CVS pulls down an old fashioned screen for the photo and has the carpet marked for the subject and photographer to stand.)
2) don't smile
3) pull your hair off your face. Bangs were a no-no for my friend.

kureiff

For a US passport, you can smile, but it needs to be closed mouth smile.

probably best not to, but it is allowed.

Dukey1

LOL,,you could have BEEN to the CVS by now.

nelsonian

My 5 year grandson just applied for a new US passport two weeks or so ago. He was not allowed to smile, which according to my daughter was very difficult for him to do!! She did get it taken at CVS.

starrs

Think Mona Lisa

kureiff

When we got passports six or seven years ago, Nathan and Kate knew you could smile. I did not. Man, my passport photo is so bad!! I hate it.

carolyn

Erma Bombeck said when you look like your passport picture, it is time to stop traveling. I'm yellow in mine--hair, face, blouse--all yellow. I had it made at Walgreen's.

Surfergirl

No glasses either. Rules are here.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ly/photos.html

State Dept also has a photo tool to size and crop photos you've taken. See link below. Assumes you have a color printer and proper paper to print. I have a Canon powershot (I use for concert photography) and a Canon pro series color photo printer. So was able to do passport photos for the whole family.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-template.html

scrb11

I used an app called Passport Photo for iOS.

Honestly, it was more hassle than it was worth.

You're more likely to keep taking to get it "just right" so it was a bit of a time sink.