How to Take a Passport Photo at Home with Your Phone

What You Need

  • A smartphone (iPhone or Android) or digital camera
  • A plain white or light-colored wall
  • Natural daylight or a well-lit room
  • A friend to take the photo (or a tripod with timer)

Step 1: Set Up Your Background

Find a plain white or off-white wall. Remove any picture frames, shelves, or objects that might appear in the shot. Stand about 2–3 feet in front of the wall to minimize shadows.

Don't worry if your wall isn't perfectly white — Kindro's AI will automatically remove the background and replace it with a clean white surface.

Step 2: Get the Lighting Right

Good lighting is the most important factor for a quality passport photo. Follow these tips:

  • Face a window — natural daylight provides the most even illumination
  • Avoid direct sunlight — it creates harsh shadows and squinting
  • Turn off overhead lights — they cast shadows under your eyes and nose
  • No flash — flash causes red-eye, glare, and unnatural skin tones

Step 3: Position Yourself

  • Face the camera directly (not at an angle)
  • Keep your shoulders square and relaxed
  • Maintain a neutral expression — a slight natural smile is fine
  • Keep both eyes open and look directly at the lens
  • Remove glasses, hats, and headphones

Step 4: Camera Settings and Framing

  • Use the rear camera (higher resolution than the front camera)
  • Hold the camera at eye level, about 4 feet away
  • Frame from the chest up — Kindro will crop to the exact dimensions
  • Tap on the face to focus before shooting
  • Disable HDR, filters, and portrait mode (these can alter appearance)

Step 5: Upload and Process

Once you have a good shot, upload it to Kindro's free passport photo tool. The AI will:

  • Remove the background and replace it with white
  • Center your face and adjust the head size to meet specifications
  • Generate a 2×2 inch photo at 300 DPI
  • Create a 4×6 print layout with four photos

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Taking the photo in a dimly lit room
  • Using a selfie (front camera) — lower resolution and distorts proportions
  • Standing too close to the wall (creates shadows behind you)
  • Using beauty mode or filters
  • Wearing a white shirt (blends with the background)

Related Guides