Take a clear portrait at home for passport photo printing

Start with a recent photograph that the receiving organisation permits. Printing can make a correctly prepared image into physical copies; it cannot recover a blurred face or make an unsuitable pose acceptable.

Set up the light and camera

Choose even light facing the subject. A bright window can work when it does not create a strong shadow across the face. Stand away from the wall enough to reduce shadows, and keep the camera at eye level. Ask another person to take the picture rather than holding a phone close to the face: close wide-angle selfies can change facial proportions.

Keep the head upright and facing the camera. Leave visible space above the head and around the shoulders so the final crop can match the requested dimensions. Follow the form's own rules on expression, glasses, coverings and clothing.

Check the photograph before sending it

• Zoom into the eyes and facial edges. If they are soft in the original, retake the photo.
• Look for a shadow on the wall, glare, uneven colour and objects behind the head.
• Keep the original camera file. Avoid a screenshot of a gallery preview or a copy compressed through a messaging app.
• Turn off beauty filters and artificial face reshaping. Check the receiving authority's editing restrictions.

Upload the right file

The passport printing page accepts the formats displayed beside Upload files. Upload one portrait for a single-person pack. The pack repeats that person; uploading several people does not automatically divide the copies between them.

Use a family pack when its available people and copy counts match your order, and identify each file in Print instructions. Read the pack quantity guide before ordering for several people.

GiftKida provides private photo preparation and printing. The authority receiving the photo decides whether it meets its rules; there is no universal acceptance guarantee.