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

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

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

International Passport Photos, Tampa Photographer

I asked a new client how he found me... "Google."
What search terms did you use? "International Passport Photos, Tampa Photographer"

Interesting. I've often used the term "foreign" when describing my passport services, but don't recall using "International." Well, live and learn!

Yes, Newsome's Studio of Photography does passports for our International residents, living throughout the entire Central Florida area. If you're from Canada, the UK, Poland, Nigeria, or New Zealand... you can call us when it's time to update your passport, immigration status, visa, or citizenship papers.

Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in the Cypress Point Office Park (behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh and North Dale Mabry Hwy in Carrollwood), just call 813-968-2810 for an appointment and you'll have your "International" passport photos within 10 minutes!

See you soon!

QUIT LAUGHING!

I photographed a British citizen for her UK Passport this morning. As is the case with all foreign passport photos, you're not allowed to smile.

I once had a Canadian passport photo rejected because they said the woman was smiling in her photos. She wasn't, but when she gave her "relaxed, neutral expression" as required in the Canadian instructions, she had a very pronounced dimple! It wasn't her fault - she just looked like BETTY WHITE! Betty White ALWAYS looks like she's smiling, even when she's MAD. Well so did this poor woman. We reshot it, and with a bit of creative lighting techniques, I was able to fill that dimple with light and she passed. Whew!

Okay, back to this morning's Brit. She knew she wasn't allowed to smile, so just like me when I'm in church, or at a funeral, or at the Sunday dinner table when I was a kid, she couldn't help but to start smiling. Well, that turned into a stifled chuckle, which turned into a laugh. And once it started, she just couldn't stop. It took about ten minutes for her to get over the giggles so I could get the needed shot. We did it. She did it. It wasn't easy, but it's done. Now she looks like, in her words... "a proper criminal."

Newsome's Studio has been creating foreign passport photos for Earth's citizens since 1986. Give us a call and let us help you look like "a proper criminal!" 813-968-2810

Concealed Carry Permit Photo, Tampa

There's a growing base of individuals who have taken the necessary steps to qualify for a Concealed Carry Permit (or Weapons Permit) in the Tampa area. To complete the paperwork to receive their "CC card," they must submit a photo, sized precisely for their ID.

Newsome's Studio of Photography can provide that Concealed Carry Permit Photo in a matter of minutes. Located in Carrollwood, at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa, you will walk out with sharp, clear, well lit, images (2), sized perfectly for the Weapons Permit, and look better on an ID than you've ever looked! (No DMV employees here!)

All work guaranteed and by appointment only. Call 813-968-2810 for more info.

Japanese Passport Photos, Tampa

If you think it's tough finding a good place for Japanese passport photos in Tampa, think again. Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in the heart of Carrollwood (Tampa) at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy (Cypress Point Office Park) has been providing Tampa residents with high quality Japanese passport photos, Japanese Visa photos and Japanese Residency photos since 1986.

As the specifications of foreign passports are measured in millimeters, not inches, the size requirements must be exact. US passport sizes will not do. Don't risk having to do it twice, call Newsome's Studio for an appointment today (813-968-2810).

European Passport Photos

Random Trivia: The only countries left on the planet - besides the United States of America - that have NOT converted to the metric system are Liberia and Burma.

For all foreign passports photos in all other countries, the size is measured in millimeters. European passport photos are almost (I said "almost") all uniformly the same size - 35x45mm.

Most all drug stores that still offer passport photos are only set up to create passports that conform to US standards (2x2 inches). Ask them for a 35x45 millimeter image and they're likely to send you back to square one (Google). Fortunately, the Walgreens and the AAA office here in Carrollwood have a backup plan - Newsome's Studio of Photography, located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa (Cypress Point Office Park).

Newsome's Studio provides residents from all over the Tampa area with high quality passports, citizenship, immigration, DV Lottery, and visa photos for US as well as any foreign country on the planet, in less than ten minutes!