How to Take and Print a Passport Photo Using Your Phone

[@BenDreamVacations]

Let me know what questions I can help answer

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

An easy way to eliminate shadows on the background is to place a table lamp with the shade removed behind the photo subject. If available, use a "daylight" or "bright white" color LED bulb. The camera will not see the light directly, because the subject's body hides it, but it will make the shadows caused by foreground lighting vanish. If you happen to have a movie projection screen, that could make an excellent background. My most recent passport photo was taken in front of a projection screen with a hand-held digital camera at a Costco store before the photo departments were shut down. The lighting was just the store's ceiling lights and a skylight that provided natural, diffused light. The photos came out excellent.

[@BenDreamVacations]

This is great! Thanks for the tips!

[@Bill123321]

I've paid $18 for two photos at CVS today, it's same everywhere, it used to be about $5 at Costco. Anyway, your steps are precise, clear and true. I've just placed my order at CVS for about $0.46. Thank you so much, people like you make life better for a lot of people.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it. Glad the video was able to save you some money!

[@Imhim247]

I wish to do that instead. Walgreen photo isn't good. However, my renewal passport came in 3 weeks. That's impressive, lol. Great video!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Thank you! I appreciate it. I have never used Walgreens but good to know their photo quality isn't good.

[@Imhim247]

@@BenDreamVacations You're welcome! Yeah, you better off doing yourself. Save $25

[@stevenmeltzer6914]

Hi Ben, and thanks again for your interest in helping me with this project, which is about to make me crazy. I think the problem may be that the background is not white enough, although I thought it looked pretty white. I will try just a white sheet and we will soon see, I can't believe it's not cropped properly with all the times I've tried. Thank you again for your ongoing support. Best wishes, Steve.

[@aarce8819]

Great video! You made it very easy to follow the instructions. I just placed my photo order to CVS. Thanks very much!!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Awesome! Glad to hear the video was helpful to you!

[@georgeschwartz7584]

great infgormative video.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@AveW-l3t]

Very thorough step by steps instructions, thanks for sharing!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelr.6007]

Thank you so much! Very helpful and my 2x2 passport picture came out perfect!! Just did this today!! Paid $0.21 to print out the 4x6 at Walgreens because I had a 50% off coupon!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Amazing! So glad the video was helpful to you.

[@hungcheichi7576]

Thank you sir

[@BenDreamVacations]

My pleasure!

[@mali2640]

Thank you very much, excellent video, very detailed and helpful.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@caract7777]

I had it printed at Walgreens for .42 cents. Asked them how much for a passport photo? $17.00! Thanks, you saved me a bunch!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Awesome! Love to hear it!

[@marcosgonzalez_]

You took the photo on your phone and just had it printed at Walgreens for .42 cents?

[@BenDreamVacations]

@@marcosgonzalez_ yes, just .42 cents

[@VloDicWodZeleSleazy]

I've seen this same scenario many many times, the KEY here is to tell the store that it is a school ID photo card gym membership, or whatever, and they don't need to know anyways. Do NOT tell them that it is for a Passport, the KEY WORD here is PASSPORT, once they here this then they are like "oooh, that's a much costlier service" and then they try to screw you over. Slava Russia! Putin is The Savior of Humanity.

[@VloDicWodZeleSleazy]

I've seen this same scenario many many times, the KEY here is to tell the store that it is a school ID photo card gym membership, or whatever, and they don't need to know anyways. Do NOT tell them that it is for a Passport, the KEY WORD here is PASSPORT, once they here this then they are like "oooh, that's a much costlier service" and then they try to screw you over. Slava Russia! Putin is The Savior of Humanity.

[@stevenmeltzer6914]

Great video extremely well laid out clear and organized. Thank you again so much appreciated.!! steve

[@BenDreamVacations]

I appreciate the kind words Steve! I am glad you found it helpful.

[@sidowsidow]

perfect .. thank you bro

[@BenDreamVacations]

You're welcome!

[@Lildejj]

Hi there! Thank you for this video this was super helpful! As for the DS11 form, you mentioned to not staple the photo to the form. What should I do with my photo then? First time applicant here. Thanks so much!

[@BenDreamVacations]

You will need to bring the photo with you when you apply in person.

[@cerebrumexcrement]

very clear and informative. thanks!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@YariM-eg9tc]

Thank you so much for sharing! I actually need a digital picture for my online renewal, do you know where I can do for less than $17? Thanks

[@BenDreamVacations]

If you are taking the photo yourself you can use the photo tool on the State department's site to size your photo correctly. Here is the link tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo

[@stevenmeltzer6914]

Ben, thank you so much for your rapid response. I get this message right before I hit download. (when there are four pictures, ready to go. Thank you so much Steve.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Hi Steve, I was able to replicate the message you were getting on 2 different occasions. The first one was because I did not have a white background behind me and the second one was because my photo was not cropped in enough to where the green rectangles were not lining up properly. They really do have to cover the top of your head and the bottom of your chin. You can also try zooming in a little bit when you take the picture. That seemed to work and it didn't give the message that the photo is not suitable for printing. Other than that I am not sure what else could be triggering that message. I hope you are able to get it to work so you don't have to pay for someone else to take the photo for you. Let me know if I can be of any more help.

[@Smashachu]

i'm just going to take my own and the walgreens

[@luvmelove5742]

Thank you 🙏

[@BenDreamVacations]

You’re welcome 😊

[@stratdoc]

We are renewing and though we have acceptable photos to upload they are not 600x600 pixel as required for up load to the passport site. How to do this?

[@BenDreamVacations]

Are you using the new online passport renewal system? You can use the website Canva.com to upload your photo and resize it to the 600 x 600 pixel for free.

[@Solidsnake999]

I went to Walmart they gave me 2 passport photos for 7.99 dollars and it’s the same fee in all the states

[@BenDreamVacations]

Do they take the photo for you as well or just print them?

[@breezzxii1683]

I tried printing at Wal-Mart for $0.15 and when I went to pick it up. They wanted to charge me $8 for 2 photos...even though it was a DIY. Instead of paying, I went to Walgreens and was able to pick it up within an hour.

[@Solidsnake999]

@@BenDreamVacations They take your photo and print 2 for you and received my passport book a few days ago

[@Solidsnake999]

@@BenDreamVacations Yes and yes

[@VloDicWodZeleSleazy]

I've seen this same scenario many many times, the KEY here is to tell the store that it is a school ID photo card gym membership, or whatever, and they don't need to know anyways. Do NOT tell them that it is for a Passport, the KEY WORD here is PASSPORT, once they here this then they are like "oooh, that's a much costlier service" and then they try to screw you over. Slava Russia! Putin is The Savior of Humanity.

[@frejolfrejolito1212]

i have a question,,,in the minute 8:35 the poto size is 2x2..but m question is that in a visa is not necesary a photo wih 2 inchesx2 inches,,,in other words, 5.1x.5.1 or 5x5mm?

[@BenDreamVacations]

5x5cm would be the same as 2x2 inches

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

The U.S. government requirement is 2x2 inches. That's very close to 51x51 millimeters.

[@sidowsidow]

how we cut them perfect?

[@BenDreamVacations]

I just used regular scissors to cut the photos. The photo needs to be 2x2 inches but it doesn't need to be exactly perfect.

[@Cali_Girl1]

Can their software detect if ANY MINOR editing has been done to your photo (i.e. remove pimple)?

[@BenDreamVacations]

As long as it’s a very minor edit you should be ok.

[@tomhufnagel6812]

The green bars did not align, and idphoto4you printed 4 3 1/2 x 4" photos. What was the issue?

[@BenDreamVacations]

Are you sure you had the correct settings at the beginning? The photo setting should be passport and visa and the image setting should be 10x15cm or 4x6". If the green bars do not align then you might need to take another photo or you can try zooming in or out a little bit to help get the green bars to align. Also, make sure you are not accidently clicking on any of the ads by mistake.

[@lolah3838]

You need to submit two photos not one.

[@stevenmeltzer6914]

I thought I had this all figured out. But each time, I'm getting this message "The quality of preview photo is not suitable for printing. If you want to change the cropping or the color settings, then click on the back button." What is going on here? I've tried this with 10 different photos. I'm about ready to let Walgreens do it, but I just hate failing a challenge. Your suggestions? Thanks, Steve.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Hey Steve, sorry to hear you are having problems with this. When are you getting this message? At the final step?

[@nishishingrani1090]

Hello, i uploaded my photo on id4 you page and checked to continue, but it didnot being the crop page mentioned in your video . Tried many times but it just updated the page and doesnot show my photo for cropping and resizing Thak you in advance Nishi

[@BenDreamVacations]

Just make sure you are hitting the correct continue button. There tend to be other ads on the site that may have a continue button as well. It got me the first time I used the site. You usually have to scroll towards the bottom to find the correct one.

[@Imhim247]

Q: You done a video of international driving?

[@BenDreamVacations]

I haven't done a video on international driving but I will look into making one. Thanks!

[@Imhim247]

@@BenDreamVacations You're welcome. Thanks for thinking about doing it

[@macnoid]

Why do they want my credit card number? I was under the impression there was no charge for using the site.

[@BenDreamVacations]

It's free to use. I just used it and didn't have to enter a credit card.

[@macnoid]

@@BenDreamVacations I went back in after I posted the comment... and discovered the problem. I've opened and closed the page several times....and sometimes it opens up with big green boxes that say 'start here'....but they are actually ads that you need to close.It doesn't help that the ad has a comment about doing passport photos, so it looked like it was part of the site. That was compounded by the fact that I thought the 'upload photo' box was a button to start the photo upload, which was actually farther down! (duh!) So it looked like that the green 'start here' button was the only thing that would open on the page to get started. Thank goodness I didn't put a credit card number in....I was just very suspicious of the site when that happened, since it was supposed to be free!. LOL! So chalk it up to my error....I was initially fooled by the placement of these 'start here' boxes on the page that opened. It's just weird that the site opens with them part of the time, but not always. I wonder if anyone else was fooled? I tried to post a screenshot but unable to add. Thanks for your comment, and for the video. ( I decided I need to redo my pics before submitting as there's a slight shadow below the face on our shirts on our pics and I don't want it to be rejected! )

[@claudiabarretto4219]

txs

[@athenawilson4019]

I need to renew my passport, which expired 2 years ago. Everything seems to indicate that I can complete the process online. To do that, they say you need to attach a JPEG of certain specifications. There are no options for you to submit a *printed* photo. What advice do you have for me, or anyone else who will be doing the process online?

[@BenDreamVacations]

If all you have is a printed passport photo then renewing your passport using the online renewal process isn't going to work as you have to submit a digital photo. I haven't used the online renewal process yet so I am sure what the digital requirements are but the only thing I can think of that might work is to just take a picture of your passport photo and crop it into the proper size dimensions. If that doesn't work then you may have to use the paper application to complete the renewal process.

[@athenawilson4019]

@@BenDreamVacations "Do not scan a printed photo or take a photo of an already printed photo." It also has to be a photo taken within the past 6 months, and my passport photo was taken 13 years ago.

[@athenawilson4019]

@@BenDreamVacations travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/online-renewal-photo.html

[@BenDreamVacations]

@@athenawilson4019 I figured that would be the case. I don’t have any other suggestions for you unfortunately.

[@Thelivingbutterfly]

How can I get one photo

[@BenDreamVacations]

You can use the State Department's photo tool to create just one photo. tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo

[@quitefrankly6815]

❤❤❤❤👍🏾

[@bastianauser2035]

.

[@BillWaltrip]

Nice!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Thank you! Cheers!