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

US Passport Photographer, Tampa,

Yes, you can go to the drug store to get your US Passport photo updated. Yes, it’s very inexpensive and you don’t need an appointment. Yes, they will use a low resolution, consumer grade, point and shoot camera, under fluorescent lighting conditions (explaining the green tint on your face), against a window shade (that’s going to be gray instead of white). Yes, it has a good chance of being slightly blurry, because no flash was used to freeze the exposure, and yes, it has a chance of getting rejected by the US Passport Office for not conforming to their stated quality standards. But hey, you got toothpaste while you were there, right? Good for you.

Yes, you can come to Newsome’s Studio of Photography for your US Passport photo. Yes, it’s a little more expensive than a drug store and an appointment is highly recommended. Yes, we will use a very high resolution, professional grade camera, and a professional three light with a reflector flash system (explaining the perfect color on your face), against a pure white background (avoiding shadows because of the additional background light). Yes, it is guaranteed to be razor sharp, because that’s how we roll, and yes, it has a 100% chance of being accepted by the US Passport Office, not only conforming to their stated quality standards, but totally blowing them away. But hey, I didn’t sell you any toothpaste, but then again, I’m not a drug store pretending to be a photography studio.

Newsome’s Studio. Where people go to have professional photographs taken. Not buy toothpaste.

Irish Passport Photo Tampa

While most European countries have settled into standard for passport photos, the Irish are close, but not quite ready to square up with their Euro-brethren.

The Irish passport photo's stated required size is 35-38mm wide by 45-50mm tall (nearly all European photos are 35x45mm). A white or light colored background (compared to only light gray for the UK, France, or Germany), and although you may submit color, they prefer black and white (nearly all countries require color only).

To their credit, a handy overlay is supplied by Ireland to make sure your image will conform to their size standards.

If you want to be sure your Irish passport photos will pass muster, contact Newsome's Studio of Photography at 813-968-2810. Located at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in Carrollwood (behind Starbucks at the corner of Linebaugh Ave and North Dale Mabry Hwy, just north of Busch Blvd).

We've Moved! New Location!

It happens. And this is the fifth time in 29 years for us. Tampa's best passport photographer has moved to the Cypress Point Office Park at the corner of Linebaugh and Dale Mabry (behind Starbucks).
Our new address is 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618.

Still providing the fastest, highest quality passport photos in Tampa, for all US and foreign countries. Same phone number - 813-968-2810. For more information, please visit www.newsomesstudio.com

Passport Photos, Photographer, Tampa

Applying for US Citizenship? Time to update your green card, immigration card, or US Passport?

Go where you can count on getting the best image possible (face it, you're going to live with it for what? TEN YEARS?).

Your choices are great, but not so great... You can go to the drug store for a US sized (2x2 inch) passport style photo. The drug store images are very cheap, and for good reason... it's not a professional photography studio, it's a drug store. They sell drugs, toothpaste, and hairspray. The images taken by their counter clerk are taken with a consumer grade camera and less than ideal lighting conditions. They loose money selling them because it's a "loss-leader." Something designed to get you in the door, so you'll buy toothpaste and hairspray - and DRUGS, where their REAL profit is.

I don't sell toothpaste. The drug store shouldn't sell passport photos.

Give us a call when it's time to update your passport photo. Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in Carrollwood's Cypress Point Office Park at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in North Tampa, 813-968-2810.

Oh, and brush your teeth before you come. :-)

New Zealand Passport Photos, Tampa

Seems New Zealand is among the first countries to stop requiring paper passport photos and accept digital submissions only. At least that's what I deduced from the New Zealand government's passport photo submission page on their government web site.

The new requirements forego the need for a paper photo, and are now requiring a digital file.

Newsome's Studio of Photography, located in Main Street Plaza at 10012 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 219 in Carrollwood (North Tampa) has been providing high quality passport photos for any country on the planet (over 50 different countries in just the last three years). If you're a citizen of another country and need to update your citizenship, immigration, passport, or visa photo, call 813-968-2810 and schedule your appointment today. Fast, affordable, and guaranteed to pass the specs from any foreign government.