Need Passport Photo Reprints?

It happens. You get your passport photos taken, go home and set them aside, then a week later attempt to finalize the paperwork and discover you've either misplaced the 35x45mm sized images and can't find them, or they got crumpled into the bottom of your purse and are deemed unusable.

Don't panic.

At Newsome's Studio of Photography, we maintain the digital files of your passport photos and can easily and quickly reprint them for you. All you need to do is call and we'll have them ready for you to pick up within minutes, and all at a price that will make you smile. :-)

Newsome's Studio prides itself on being Central Florida's Passport Photo Expert. People come from as far away as Atlanta, Orlando, and Miami, just because they want their foreign or domestic passport photo done correctly. Consulates from around the world have put Newsome's Studio on their "preferred photographer list" because they're familiar with the quality of work we do, and their vote of confidence is welcomed.

Newsome's Studio is located in North Tampa (Carrollwood), at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in Cypress Point Office Park (behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and N. Dale Mabry Hwy, just north of Busch Blvd).

Call for an appointment. It only takes ten minutes and you'll leave with your passport photos in hand.
813-968-2810

US Passports Now Discourage Smiling

Years after the rest of the planet made "stoic" passport photos fashionable, the US has finally begun following suit. At one time, a big 'ol American smile was acceptable in US Passport Photos, but not any more. The newest regulations require a closed mouth. They still appear to allow a slightly pleasant, closed-mouth smile, but no more grinning with teeth. Still not quite as strict as the rest of the planet, but getting there.

It seems the customs folks are using facial recognition software to scan the passport photos, looking for bad guys, and of course, bad guys NEVER smile in their photos, so it stands to reason that they don't want anyone else to either.

In any case, learn to smile more with your eyes, and less with your mouth. You local US bureaucrat will love you for it.

For the very best US Passport photos on the market, call a real photographer. Call Newsome's Studio of Photography at 813-968-2810. Located in North Tampa (Carrollwood), at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa (behind Starbucks in Cypress Point Office Park, at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy).

Think happy thoughts!

Chinese Passport Photos, Tampa

We discovered a new "guideline" this week regarding Chinese Passport Photos... they 'prefer' you to wear a dark colored shirt as opposed to a white one! WHO KNEW? They didn't have that guideline in their paperwork and I'd never encountered that in the past, leading me to believe it might have simply been an overzealous bureaucrat in the Chinese passport office, but none the less, if that's what they want, that's what they're going to get.

So, from now on... all Chinese Passport Photos taken here at Newsome's Studio will be required to wear a black shirt (even though you can barely see the collar)!

Give Newsome's Studio of Photography a call and schedule your appointment to update your Chinese passport photo. Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa (Carrollwood). We are behind Starbucks, at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and N. Dale Mabry Hwy, in Cypress Point Office Park, just north of Busch Blvd.

By appointment only, 813-968-2810. 

Best Passport Photographer in Tampa

Today, I had a passport client tell me "I Googled 'Best Passport Photographer in Tampa' and you came up number one, three, five, six, seven, and eight, so I knew I'd found what I was looking for."

Ya THINK?

I didn't believe him, so I tried it and sure enough, there I was - being designated as the "best passport photographer in Tampa." All over page one. And you know what? I have a hard time arguing against that because I've been doing passport photos for over 30 years. Newsome's Studio of Photography is now on the preferred photographer list for Australia, Canada, Greece, the UK, and who knows what other country (I only read English), because I've successfully done passport photos for over 50 countries and counting.

When it's time to update YOUR passport photo, regardless of which country you call home, call Newsome's Studio at 813-968-2810 and schedule ten minutes with the "best passport photographer in Tampa." You'll be glad you did.

Located in North Tampa (Carrollwood) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, in Cypress Point Office Park (behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy, just north of Busch Blvd.

NO EYEGLASSES ON US PASSPORTS

As of November 1st, the US Passport office will no longer accept passport photos if you are wearing eyeglasses in them.

Information on this change can be found here.

According to the new specs, there is only one exception...

• "If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application."

This, I'm sure will create some anxiety with those who wear glasses all the time, but repeat this three times... "it's just a passport photo... it's just a passport photo... it's just a passport photo." The only people who will ever see it is you, and a few customs officials who look at a thousand photos a day. You will likely be asked to take your glasses off for a second - maybe ONCE in your lifetime of travels. Don't freak out over it, just follow the new guidelines and fuggetaboutit. 

This new regulation surprises me, because I've yet to see any other foreign government impose the same restriction. Maybe they will follow, but so far, they haven't.

To be certain that you get the very best US Passport Photo that you're "allowed" to have... contact Newsome's Studio of Photography. Located in North Tampa at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa, FL 33618 (in Carrollwood), in Cypress Point Office Park behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and N. Dale Mabry Hwy. 

Please call for an appointment, 813-968-2810.

DV Lottery Photos in Tampa

Directly from the US Dept of State: "The entry submission period for DV-2018 is from 12:00PM EDT (GMT -4) on October 4, 2016 to 12:00PM EST (GMT -5) on November 7, 2016."

That means that the month of October, DV Lottery images are in high demand. Lucky for those in Central Florida, particularly in the Hillsborough/Pinellas County area, Newsome's Studio of Photography can provide you with DV Lottery image to meet the required specs, in about ten minutes!

All you need to do is to call the studio at 813-968-2810 and schedule an appointment. In no time at all, we can take care of you. 

Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, in North Tampa (Carrollwood), at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and N. Dale Mabry Hwy behind Starbucks.

Australian Passport Photos in Tampa

Aussie Passport Photos

We experienced a surge in calls for Australian Passport Photos this week. It seems that the Australian Consulate in Washington, DC requires its citizens living in the US to apply for their passport renewal in person... in Washington! 

However, in an effort to lighten the load in their DC office, as well as make it a tad more convenient for their Australian citizens that are spread across the US, they periodically conduct passport renewal interviews in cities across the country. This week, among others, they did so in Miami Sept 22nd & 23rd. This prompted many Australians to jump at the chance of not having to travel all the way to Washington. 

And because Newsome's Studio of Photography is on the Australian consulate's "preferred photographer" list for the state of Florida, our phone went crazy this week!

The Australian passport photo requirements are among the most difficult to satisfy on the planet. Fortunately, we've managed to isolate the reason they reject so many passport photos from other sources, and have found the sweet spot to make them happy!

If it's time to update your Australian passport, call us at 813-968-2810 and set an appointment (it only takes ten minutes), and you'll leave with your perfect passport photos in hand.

Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy in North Tampa.

By Appointment Only! See you soon!

An Honest to Goodness "Thank you"

I'm pleased to say that here at Newsome's Studio, we receive the occasional thank you note for work we've done. It's always gratifying to know that we deliver a quality product that our clients are thrilled with.

Recently, I photographed Carol for her Jamaican Passport. It was sized and cut to their stated specs, but oddly, although their stated specs called for a vertical image (35x45mm) with a head size of between 25-35mm from the chin to the top of the head, the sample photo that the Jamaican consulate provided Carol, showed a 2x2 inch image. I followed the vertical route and was confident it would pass. It didn't. They requested to be able to see more of her shoulders, meaning her head size would need to be smaller than the 25mm minimum. It was a catch 22.

She called me, very distressed, because she knew we'd provided them with exactly what they'd asked for, but didn't know what to do. I immediately resized the images so her shoulders were more evident, putting her head size slightly below 25mm. I mailed the images to her the same day, at no charge to her whatsoever (we guarantee our work here).

It passed.

She was extremely happy, and shocked that I wasn't going to charge her anything extra - not even postage! So much so, she hand-wrote me a Thank You note! I LOVE Thank You notes!

So Thank YOU, Carol, for your lovely note of thanks, and I look forward to assisting you and your family members with any of their photographic needs in the future!

US Immigration and Visa Photos

Tampa Visa Photographer

Newsome's Studio provides photo services to create Visa, Immigration, Citizenship, Green Card, and Passport photos for any country. The US standard is 2x2 inches, but most all other countries are measured in millimeters, and come in all sizes and colors. If we don't have the specs on your particular photos, we'll get them (sometimes it helps if you bring your paperwork with you, just to be sure we know what you need). Either way, there is no size or requirement we can't do.

And the best part is, we do these while you wait. It only takes a few minutes - usually less than ten - to create a set of images for any of your passport style photos.

We do work by appointment, so PLEASE call us before coming down. We do a lot of work outside the studio, so we can only promise to be here for you if you have an appointment. 

See you soon! 813-968-2810

Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa, FL 33618.

Childrens's Passport Photographer, Tampa

Planning a trip? Planning to take your kid(s)? You may be in need of a brand new passport for them, how exciting!

Suppose your child is less than two years old. Suppose they're only a few months. Getting a photo that will make it past the reject stamp of an ill-tempered bureaucrat on a Monday morning isn't easy. They're merciless. They allow no room for error when it comes to the stated specifications of what your precious newborn's photo should look like. THEY DON'T CARE HOW CUTE THEY ARE!

Going to the drug store for this is like asking a fish to spin plates on sticks.

You're going to need a real photographer. A true professional. A miracle worker. This is a job for SUPERTOG!

There's only one place in Tampa who has the equipment, knowledge, patience, and experience to satisfy a government passport office official with an infant's passport photo... NEWSOME'S STUDIO OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa (Carrollwood), Newsome's will guarantee your child the most incredibly awesome passport photo, and precisely meet the specifications of the US or ANY foreign country's passport photo requirements.

By appointment only - 813-968-2810.

Newsome's Studio has TWO Websites!

In today's world of advertising, the first place people look to find someone to fill their need is the Internet. They'll either use Google, Bing, Yahoo, Yelp, or any number of other search engines. Google is the most popular, and tries to match up their key search words with the most up-to-date information on the web. They serve up ten results at a time (page one).

A business's goal is to be found on page one. A SMART business's goal is to occupy more than one of those ten positions, increasing the likelihood that a potential client will click on their listing.

If you're looking for a passport photographer in the Tampa, St Pete area, you'll likely use the search terms "passport photographer, Tampa." If you're in need of a Canadian or UK passport photo, you're going to get more accurate results by adding "Canadian" or "UK" to your search term thread.

Newsome's Studio of Photography has been providing the Bay Area residents with high quality passport photos for years, and particularly those residents who are in need of passport photos for Canada, the UK, or ANY foreign country.

This blog is just one website that may come up in your search results, but we also have two complete studio websites and two more blogs that address passport photography, both foreign and domestic. Those two sites are www.newsomesstudio.com and www.newsomestudio.com. Feel free to check either site out and read up on why Newsome's Studio is the preferred photographer recommended by the Canadian consulate, the Greek consulate, the British consulate, and the Australian consulate.

Located in North Tampa (Carrollwood), we work by appointment only. Give us a call at 813-968-2810.

Professional Passport Photo Lighting

The Difference Hiring a Professional Makes

Occasionally someone calls about having a passport photo taken, and the first question they ask is "How much?" When I give them the price, most say "Sounds good" then proceeds to make an appointment. 

Once in a while someone responds with "Why do you charge more than the drug store or auto club does?" 

• Well, I don't sell toothpaste or auto insurance, where those two make their money. They virtually give away passport photos (in the auto club's case, make that literally), just to get you in the door, hoping you'll buy something else they're selling. I only sell photographs.
• They're going to use a low resolution, "point and shoot" consumer grade camera, and under "existing light conditions," create an image that is potentially out of focus, off color, and under exposed.
• I'm going to use a high resolution, professional grade camera, and using a professional lighting setup, create an image that is sharp, perfectly color corrected, and perfectly exposed. 

The best part is, the image I create is guaranteed to pass muster, and being that I'm on the "preferred photographer" list for the Canadian Consulate, the British Consulate, the Greek Consulate, and the Australian Consulate - four of the most difficult passport offices to screen your passport photos - you can trust that any US passport photo we create will be accepted.

This is the difference hiring a professional makes, and yet the cost difference is not really that much. 

International Foreign Passport Photos, Tampa

If you're in need of International Foreign Passport Photos in the Tampa, St Pete area, your choices on where to go are limited. Your local drug store isn't going to do it. Oh, they might TRY, bless their hearts, but to get it right will often require an experienced studio photographer who can customize your image to your country's specific needs.

A Canadian passport photo is 50x70mm. A British or UK passport photo is 35x45mm. A Greek passport photo is 40x60mm. A passport photo for India is 35x35mm. And for each of these outter dimension sizes, the head size is different as well.

When it's time to update your foreign passport photo in Tampa, call the experts, Newsome's Studio of Photography in Carrollwood (North Tampa), located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa, FL 33618. 

by appointment only... 813-968-2810

Proper Size for Foreign Passport Photos - Tampa

A Passport Photo has certain quality requirements, set forth by the various governments around the world. Contrary to popular belief in the states, the entire planet does not use the Imperial Measurement System (miles, yards, feet, inches). In fact, the only countries still using that system are the US, Burma, and Liberia. The rest of the planet is on the Metric System (kilometers, meters, centimeters, millimeters). Thus, when a foreign government sets it specs for that country's passport photos, it's measured in millimeters, not inches.

A common size for many European Passport Photos is 35x45mm. The Canadian passport photo is 50x70mm. The passport photo for India is 35x35mm and for a Greek passport photo, it's 40x60mm. These are not sizes that can accommodated by the local drug store or post office. All that most of them are capable of doing is 2x2 INCHES.

If you're a citizen of a foreign country and living in the US, you'll need to go to a professional photography studio who specializes in passport photos that can be custom sized in millimeters.

Newsome's Studio of Photography in North Tampa (Carrollwood), located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa, FL 33618 (in Cypress Point Office Park, behind Starbucks, at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy) can provide you with the exact size specified by your country's passport office.

By appointment only... 813-968-2810.

50x70mm Canada Passport Photos Tampa

Our good neighbors to the north, Canada, requires the largest passport photos on the planet - a reflection of the size of their heart, I'd like to think.

While a US Passport photo is 2x2 inches (51x51mm), the Canadian Passport photo is approximately 2x2.75 inches (50x70mm to be precise). This cannot be acquired at the drug store, you must go to a professional photographer.

The Canadian Consulate has been referring its Canadian citizens living in Florida to Newsome's Studio of Photography to obtain the proper sized passport photos for years.

Located in North Tampa (Carrollwood) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in Cypress Point Office Park (behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and N. Dale Mabry Hwy).

Call for an appointment and you'll walk out with your finished images in ten minutes! 813-968-2810

Canadian Passport Photographer Tampa

How NOT to Take Your Own Passport Photos

Filed Under "Tutorial/Education"

Don't be "that guy."

"That Guy" read a tutorial online instructing him on how to take his own passport photo. Now, while passport photography isn't dentistry, it does have a few rules and guidelines that, if not met, will cause a delay or total rejection of your passport documents.

The tutorial says "find a light colored wall as your background." XXXX (buzzing sound)

The US Passport requires a white wall. Any colors (yes, even a nice soft pastel) will cause a rejection stamp to be employed.

The tutorial says "any camera will do, even a cell phone." XXXX (buzzing sound)

The tutorial says "stand near a window." XXXX (buzzing sound)

The US Passport Office will reject images that are out of focus, bad lighting (overhead lighting causes "raccoon eyes" and window lighting will cause unwanted shadows).

The tutorial says "use your camera's pop up flash if it has one." XXXX (buzzing sound)

That pop up flash will likely cause "red eye" because that's what pop up flashes do. It will DEFINITELY cause "mullet hair" which is a shadow on the wall, just behind the head that makes you appear to be sporting a mullet.

If you're a die hard DIY'er who is hell bent on saving yourself a few bucks, go ahead and give it a shot. All you have to lose is time, and if time is on your side, go for it.

But if you value your time and you'd really like your passport photo to be sharp, well lit, properly adjusted for color, and NOT delay your passport - you know, something you might even be PROUD of, then give us call and in ten minutes you'll have just that!

Newsome's Studio is located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in North Tampa (Carrollwood). 813-968-2810

Dutch (Netherlands) Passport Photographer, Tampa

The Dutch Passport for the Netherlands states an outer dimension of 35x45mm, pretty much the standard size for a lot of European passport photos. The head size is between 26-30mm, slightly smaller than most, but not too far off. The Netherlands Passport Photo requirements also state that the eyes must be between 22-32mm from the bottom of the photo.

Specs like these cannot be met by anyone other than a professional photographer who can customize the size precisely at the point of photography. Drug stores? No. AAA? Nope. The Post Office? Forget about it.

Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in North Tampa (Carrollwood) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 (Cypress Point Office Park at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy behind Starbucks) is the answer.

Call for an appointment 813-968-2810 and in less than 10 minutes, you'll leave with the correct sized images - in hand!

Dutch Netherlands Passport Photographer, Tampa

British Passport Photographs, Tampa

I never really know which is proper (note, I pronounced "proper" with a British accent, as in "propa"). Is it a UK passport, or a British Passport? Or for that matter, an English Passport? No matter, they're all the same size, 35x45mm with a head size of between 29-34mm, and all on a light gray background. Of course, in England, the PROPA spelling is "GREY," while here in the colonies, it's "GRAY," but that's a horse of a different color, I suppose.

So, where does one go for a passport that's measured in millimeters? You can't go to the drug store, they only know "inches" and that'll never do. You go to Newsome's Studio of Photography, that's where!

Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa. In Cypress Point Office Park, behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy in Carrollwood, just north of Busch Blvd.

Ten minutes and you're on your way, with a PROPA pair of British Passport photos, "Practically perfect in every way" as Mary Poppins would say!



British Passport Photographer, Tampa, Newsome's Studio of Photography

Citizenship & Immigration Photographer, Tampa

Welcome! You're going through the proper channels to legally live in the US. Congratulations and Thank You!

At some point, the paperwork you file will require a photo. That photo has certain requirements regarding size, color, background, head size, etc. WHO YA GONNA CALL?... NEWSOME'S STUDIO!

Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in North Tampa (Carrollwood) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in Cypress Point Office Park (behind Starbucks, at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy, just north of Busch Blvd).

You'll be in and out, with photos in hand, guaranteed to pass muster in less than 10 minutes! Get it right, get it quick, and get it done!

US Citizenship, Visa, and Immigration Photos - Tampa

Australian Passport Photos, Tampa

To obtain the correct size passport photos for an Australian passport in the Tampa area, you only need the name of one photographer... Newsome's Studio of Photography.

The correct size is 35mm x 45mm and the image resolution must be at least 450 ppi. Now, that sounds a lot like "blah blah by blah blah, and the image blah must be at least blah blah," AMIRITE? Well, don't worry, Newsome's has been deciphering the blah blahs for 30 years, and we have it down pat.

Call FOR AN APPOINTMENT (because we're not always here - busy, we are), at 813-968-2810. The studio is conveniently located in Carrollwood (North Tampa) in Cypress Point Office Park at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa, FL 33618.

IDP - International Driving Permit Photographer - Tampa

An International Driving Permit, or IDP, is useful as when planning vacations abroad where you may need to get behind the wheel of a car in foreign countries. They must be accompanied with a valid drivers license, but are recognized in several countries across the globe (see map below).

To obtain the proper documents, you must submit the proper photo. Don't risk delay by sending an image that won't pass muster!

Call Newsome's Studio of Photography, Inc at 813-968-2810, located in Cypress Point Office Park in Carrollwood, 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219. (Behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry Hwy).

Dark Blue indicates countries that recognize the IDP.
By Joe DeRose - I created this work using a Wikipedia blank map., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8832669

Bulgarian Passport Photographer, Tampa

Welcome, Bulgaria! Welcome to my ever-expanding list of countries I've now successfully produced a set of passport photos for.

From Bulgaria and need to update your Bulgarian passport? Where are you going to go to get the required photographs - you know, the ones measured in millimeters that are nowhere close to a US passport photo? I'll tell you...

Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in North Tampa (Carrollwood), at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, Tampa, FL 33618. We are in Cypress Point Office Park, located behind the STARBUCKS at the NW corner of Linebaugh Ave and N. Dale Mabry Hwy, just over the Busch overpass.

Call for an appointment and you'll walk out in less than ten minutes with the best passport photo you've ever taken!

International Driving Permit Photos, Tampa

Hey, here's a cool one... International Driving Permits! Heading to Europe and expect to drive? Two "passport sized" images are needed to apply for an "IDP." Where do you go to make sure it will pass the needed requirements?

Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in Carrollwood (North Tampa) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219, in Cypress Point Office Park, right behind STARBUCKS at the corner of N. Dale Mabry Hwy and Linebaugh Ave (just north of Busch Blvd).

Call for an appointment at 813-968-2810 and you'll walk out with the necessary photos for your IDP (International Driving Permit) in less than ten minutes.

International Driving Permit Photos - Tampa - Newsome's Studio

Iraqi Passport Photos in Tampa

Where does one go when looking for a place to provide passport photos, especially when those images are measured in millimeters and must pass the bureaucratic reject stamp of some foreign government official?

In the case of an Iraqi citizen living in the Tampa area, the image needed comes close to that which is required in a few European countries - 35x45mm, with only a slight differentiation in the background.

Newsome's Studio can provide the proper photos for an Iraq passport, and do it in less than ten minutes. Located in North Tampa (Carrollwood) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219. It's in Cypress Point Office Park behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and Dale Mabry Hwy (just north of Busch Blvd).

Call for an appointment - 813-968-2810.

International Passport Photos - Tampa

Lemme guess... you went to the drug store to get your Greek, Canadian, or UK passport photos taken and either came away with a pair of useless 2"x2" photos, or (if you were lucky), were told they cannot produce a passport photo that meets the size or background requirements of your particular country, right?

Where to go... where to go... Well, you COULD go to your respective consulates, they MIGHT do it. Of course, you may be taking a rather long car drive to Atlanta, Miami, or even Washington DC.

HECK WITH THAT!!!

Your answer is right here in Tampa. Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in Carrollwood (North Tampa) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 (behind STARBUCKS at the corner of Linebaugh & N. Dale Mabry Hwy in Cypress Point Office Park).

Call for an appointment, 813-968-2810. We do a lot of work on location and cannot guarantee we are always here. An appointment WILL guarantee it!