What You Need
- A smartphone with a decent camera (any iPhone 8+ or mid-range Android works)
- A plain white or light-coloured wall
- Good natural light (near a window) or a lamp
- A helper to hold the phone, or a stable surface/tripod
Setting Up Your Background
Stand 1–2 feet in front of a plain white wall. This prevents shadows from appearing behind your head. If your wall is off-white or light grey, that often works too — our background remover can replace it with the exact colour required by your country.
Lighting Tips
- Use natural light — face a window so light falls evenly on your face
- Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows
- If indoors, use two lamps on either side of your face (butterfly lighting) for even illumination
- Make sure there are no shadows on your face, neck, or background
Taking the Photo on iPhone
- Open the Camera app and switch to the front camera
- Enable the grid (Settings → Camera → Grid) to help centre your face
- Hold the phone at eye level — not from above or below
- Your head should fill roughly 70–80% of the frame
- Tap your face to focus, then tap the shutter
- Take several shots and pick the sharpest one
Taking the Photo on Android
- Open the Camera app and switch to selfie/front camera
- Enable grid lines in camera settings
- Ask someone to take the photo using the rear camera for better quality
- Centre your face and ensure your chin and top of head are both visible
- Use the volume button as a shutter to reduce blur
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Smiling too broadly — keep a neutral expression or natural slight smile
- Wearing glasses
- Wearing a hat (unless religious)
- Shadows on your face from overhead lighting
- Head tilted — look straight into the camera
- Photo taken more than 6 months ago
Upload to Our Free Editor
Once you have your photo, upload it to our free passport photo maker. We'll detect your face automatically, remove and replace the background, and let you download a print-ready file in the correct size for your country.