Needing passport photos in Manhattan, KS? Read on for everything you need to know!
Back in 2022, I finally got myself a new passport, way too many years after my last one had expired. Sadly, the only thing I’ve gotten to use it on so far is a jaunt across the bridge into Canada to see Niagara Falls from the far side. Fortunately, I’ll be headed down to Mexico next month! I’m finally going somewhere exotic!
I’ll be going with a friend, and if USPS comes through, I get to take my Little Leapling along for the adventure! This is a pretty quick decision and short planning phase. With only 6 weeks before the trip, and our local mail still behind due to the Winter storm that delivered almost 15 inches of snow the week before, I knew I had to move quickly. I also knew I’d need to expedite the process every way possible. This wasn’t going to be cheap!
The trip was decided on a Friday afternoon, and there was really only one thing I could do over the weekend to speed things up.
Picture Time!
When you’ve got a photo studio in your basement, passport pictures are a cinch! Or are they?
Lights!
Camera!
BE STILL AND DO NOT SMILE!
Wait, what? Ha! Just try telling a photographer’s daughter she isn’t allowed to smile for a picture.
Who knew taking passport photos could be so much fun?!
Okay, so here is the link to the full, detailed list of rules for your passport photo.
- Must be a color photo on a white or off-white, plain backdrop.
- Photo must be taken within 6 months of your passport application.
- Do not alter the photo with filters or photo editing software (you can get away with removing those pimples or other temporary imperfections).
- No selfies.
- No glasses, hats, or other headwear (aside from religious or medical purposes).
- Must be facing and looking directly into camera with neutral expression…no cheesing allowed!
- Nothing covering your face.
- No shadows on your face.
- For babies and toddlers, you might have to get creative…no other person can be in the photo and the child should be facing the camera with eyes open.
- Photo must measure 2in x 2in (51 x51mm), and the head should measure between 1in and 1.4in (25 and 35mm).
That’s a lot of rules! Especially when you can’t even get the silly goose to stop laughing and make with the straight face.
I actually failed to notice number 8 before starting this little photo project. I should have had both of my strobes facing her instead of using one as a rim light (coming from behind to add light to her hair and create a bit more separation from the backdrop). When she was facing the right way, it was fine, but I got all kinds of shadows in most of the pictures of this happy gigglebox.
At least now I know how to get her to smile in the future. Passport pose!
Going back to when I got my passport a few years ago, what a headache. The original copy of my birth certificate didn’t meet their rules, so I had to purchase a new one. I took the pictures in my studio, got them printed at the local Walgreens, and double and triple-checked everything was perfect. After I finally went to the post office to submit the paperwork and picture, they returned my application after several weeks, claiming that the measurements of my photo were off. They were spot on!
I finally got a hold of a human on the phone who told me that happens all the time with the photos. Just send it back in. *sigh* They had no problems with the photo the second time. Good thing I wasn’t actually in a rush! I decided I didn’t want to deal with printing the photo up and risking it getting returned. So, in the end, I just paid the $15 to the post office to take Kaia’s passport photo.
Anyone want to guess how that went?
All of that to say, I do not recommend hiring a professional photographer for your passport photos.
Just get it done at the post office. It’s quick, cheap, and no photographer wants to get blamed when the government sends your photo back just for the fun of it.
Bon Voyage!
