May 18, 2026 · Tips & Guides
How to Take a Passport Photo at Home 2026
By Eugen Schnellbach · Founder of ID Wizard
You don't need a photo studio for a biometric passport photo. With the right setup and a smartphone, you can take a photo that meets ICAO standards — in under 5 minutes.
What you need
- ✓ A smartphone (rear camera recommended)
- ✓ A plain white or light wall
- ✓ Natural daylight or an even artificial light source
- ✓ 5 minutes
1
🖼️ Find a plain background
Use a plain white or very light-coloured wall. Avoid patterns, textures, or coloured backgrounds.
A white door, a plain painted wall, or a white bedsheet hung on a wall all work well.
The AI in ID Wizard will remove and replace the background — but starting with a plain background gives the best result.
Tip: Avoid casting a shadow on the wall behind you — step at least 30cm away from it.
2
💡 Get the lighting right
Natural daylight is ideal. Sit or stand facing a window — the light should come from in front of you, not from the side or above.
Avoid direct flash, harsh overhead lights, or strong directional lighting that creates shadows on your face or nose.
Overcast days are actually perfect — the diffused light is even and flattering.
Tip: If you use an artificial light, bounce it off a white wall or ceiling to soften it.
3
📱 Camera at eye level, 1–1.5m away
Hold the camera at eye level (not above or below). Shooting from above creates perspective distortion; shooting from below exaggerates the chin.
Keep the camera about 1–1.5 metres away. Too close and the lens will distort your face.
Use a tripod, lean the phone against a stack of books, or ask someone to hold it for you.
Tip: Use the rear camera for better quality — the front camera works too, but rear lenses are sharper.
4
😐 Neutral expression, look at the lens
Look directly at the camera lens — not at the screen. ICAO rules require a neutral expression: mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
Do not tilt your head to either side. The face must be centred and looking straight ahead.
Remove glasses. Since 2021, glasses are not allowed in passport photos for most countries (UK, US, EU, Switzerland).
Tip: Take multiple shots — the AI picks the best composition, but having choices helps.
5
👔 Dress simply
Wear everyday clothes. Avoid white or very light tops that blend into the background.
No uniforms, no camouflage patterns. Hats and caps are not allowed (except for religious or medical reasons — those must be worn in daily life).
Hair should not cover the eyes or face.
Tip: Dark or medium-toned clothing provides the best contrast against a white background.
6
⬆️ Upload to ID Wizard
Go to ID Wizard and upload your photo (JPEG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC, up to 4 MB).
Select your country and document type. The AI will:
• Remove and replace the background with the correct colour
• Crop and scale to the exact biometric dimensions (e.g. 35×45mm for Europe)
• Check head position and ICAO compliance
Tip: Even an imperfect photo often works — the AI handles background and crop. Lighting and expression are what matter most.
7
✅ Preview for free, then download
The preview is free — no payment required to check the result. Only pay if you're happy with it.
Your download is a 300 DPI JPEG at the correct dimensions for your country format.
Use it for:
• Digital online submissions (passport renewal, visa application)
• Printing on 10×15cm photo paper at a chemist, supermarket photo station, or at home
Tip: Save the download link — you can re-download the same photo if needed.
📸
Try ID Wizard — Free Preview
Upload your photo and get a free preview of the biometric result. Only pay when you want to download. From CHF 4.99, no subscription.
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