Recently we’ve been needing to apply for several international visas for travel in Asia and Africa, which means we’ve been filling out application paperwork for each country and obtaining a lot of visa photos.
Even though biometric passport and visa photos are just simple digital photos, most people have them taken professionally because they need to meet the country-specific requirements of the destination and in the case of passport photos, may be accompanying a person for a full 10 years.
Ethan and I have each needed almost a dozen visa photos over the past several months, and we became very frustrated with the cost of passport and visa photos at our local drugstores. After paying almost $50 for 8 photos (ridiculous!), we started researching the various places where we could get visa photos taken and exploring the do-it-yourself options where you can take and print your own photos. After our research, we have vowed to never pay $11.99 for two passport photos again!
In this guide, we’ll give you a list of places where you can have your photos taken, give advice on the cheapest options, tell you about how you can print your own passport or visa photos for free or little cost, share some tips of how to ensure you get the best passport or visa photos possible, and provide some additional visa photo advice aimed at long-term and frequent international travelers.
Note that some of this information is specifically applicable to those living in the United States, but the discussion of online services and the general photo tips are applicable to anyone.
Table of Contents:
Where to Get Passport Photos and Visa Photos Taken In-Person?
Now, it should be noted that most places in the United States advertise their services for passport photos and prices are generally provided for a set of 2 passport photos that comply with the U.S. Department of State guidelines for those wanting to apply for a new U.S. passport or renew an existing U.S. passport.
Many places can also print visa photos that differ from the size requirements of the U.S. passport photos, but you need to be very clear of the needed size dimensions and any other requirements (size of head, background color, etc.) that may differ.
I would call ahead if you need visa photos of a size other than the standard 2 inches X 2 inches (5cm X 5cm) as some places may not be able to print photos of any given dimension.
Drugstores and Pharmacies
Many drugstores and pharmacies offer passport photo printing, such as Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and CVS. We checked some prices and found that current prices (2017) were $8.99 at Rite-Aid and were $11.99 at both our local Walgreens and CVS for two passport photos. Prices across store locations may vary but expect to pay about $9 to $12 at a drugstore for 2 passport photos
Check websites and store flyers for potential coupons as we saw discount coupons online for both Rite-Aid and CVS. Drugstores are convenient as they can usually take the photos immediately and can have the photos printed and ready within a few hours; however, they generally do not offer the lowest prices.
Warehouse and Discount Retail Stores
Most Costco, Sam’s Club, and WalMart stores offer passport photo services. Costco and Sam’s Club offer rates as low as $4.99 for two passport photos and Walmart stores offer passport services as low as $7.99 for two passport photos. WalMart also offers an online service on their website where you can upload and create your own passport photo and have them delivered to your home.
Other retail and department stores with portrait studios are also likely to offer passport photos including Sears, JCPenny, and some KMart and Target stores.
The warehouse and discount retail stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and WalMart are likely going to be your cheapest place for getting your passport or visa photos if you want them taken professionally. I would start here if you have these stores nearby as you’re unlikely to find a better price unless you decide to take and print the photos yourself.
Local Post Office
Many USPS post office locations offer passport services where they provide passport applications and accept and review applications at the post office, and many of these locations also offer passport photo services. This generally requires an appointment be made in advance and the photos will cost about $15.00.
Post offices generally just do this for U.S. passport photos. You could ask if they would also do visa photos if they are the same size, but while this can be convenient for your passport photos if you are already going to be in the post office for the application anyway, it is probably not your least expensive option.
AAA Offices
Many of the AAA branch offices offer passport services and can be a great deal if you are a member as many memberships come with a free set of passport photos. Some of the higher tier memberships also come with additional or even unlimited free passport photo services so check your plan. Otherwise, it is generally $15 for members and $20 for non-members for a set of 2 passport photos.
Printing and Shipping Stores
Many printing shops and shipping stores offer passport photos services, including UPS stores and Fedex Kinkos stores. The prices here generally vary from about $12 to $15 for a set of two passport photos.
Photo Booths
These are not common places for passport photos within the United States as it is first difficult to find a photo booth outside of a shopping mall and they don’t necessarily conform to passport or visa standards.
However, this is a common source of passport and visa photos in certain countries, such as the United Kingdom and France. In fact, most booths in the UK specifically offer a UK passport photo option and some even offer photos compliant for United States and India visa or passport photos. So if you are an American traveling Europe, look for a photo booth which are common in train and metro stations, as well as in large supermarkets.
Other Places to Consider
Your local photography stores, print shops, universities, or newspaper offices may also be places that offer passport photos. It never hurts to call and ask if you are having difficulty finding a place nearby or want to check for better rates.
Help, I Can’t Find a Local Place to Take My Visa or Passport Photo!
Now, for those living in small towns and rural areas, your options for in-person passport photos services may be limited. Consider any local drugstores, discount retail stores, photography studios, newspaper offices, printing offices, and local photographers.
If your post office doesn’t take photos but accepts passport applications, they can probably direct you to someone who can take your photo. I grew up in a tiny town and our local post office, local newspaper office, and local portrait studio all offered these services. If none of these are available, you should consider the do-it-yourself option.
Do-it-Yourself Passport Photos and Visa Photos
For the best prices, you should consider taking your own passport and visa photos. There is no requirement (at least in the United States) that the photos be professionally taken, they just need to meet the specified requirements for that particular passport or visa. This is a great free option for those applications you can submit online with a digital photo, and a very cheap option if the only cost is printing the photos on good quality photo paper.
This is a no-brainer for those with a little bit of photography skills as even a photo taken with your phone can be edited to be an acceptable passport or visa photo. But even if you don’t have any photography or photography editing skills, you can still take your own photos, you just need to know the requirements and use some photo editing software.
For any editing, you can use photo editing software you may have on your computer such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator, iPhoto, or use a free online editing tool such as Canva. If it is for a U.S. passport, you can also use the free passport photo crop tool on the U.S. Department of State website.
If you need printed photos for the application, you’ll need access to a color printer and a sheet of good quality photo paper. Alternatively, you fit them to an 8″ X 10″ or 4″ X 6″ space and have them printed as 1 photo at your local drugstore or discount store for next to nothing (under $1.00).
Online Free (or Cheap) Services to Consider
You can just take your own photo, use your own editing software, and print them off in the specified size on your own, but for those who want a bit more guidance or who would like the use of professional printing services, there are actually several free or very cheap services online that will help you take a passport or visa photo and edit it online to meet requirements.
Depending on the service, you have the option to use the photo free digitally (online passport or visa applications), print it yourself, have it printed at a local drugstore for a fee, or mailed to your home for a fee. Two of these services are ePassportPhoto.com and Make Passport Photo.com. For some countries (including UK and France), you can also order passport photos from Snapfish.
We specifically used ePassportPhoto.com which allows you to upload a photo you’ve taken with either your phone or camera. I like that they offer the free do-it-yourself option where you can print the photos yourself, although you do have to look around a bit on their webpage for the link but it is there. The photos were actually printed by Snapfish.
Otherwise you can have it printed at a local drugstore or mailed to your home for a low rate, and you get additional discounts if you order more than one set of photos.
Instructions were provided online on how to best take and upload the photo and the instructions are easy to follow. We used this service and paid $19.18 for 16 photos (8 for each of us) and this included shipping to our home. We were very happy with this service and would recommend it, and it can be used internationally for almost any country’s passport requirements.
Just note that when using ePassportPhoto.com for visas, you’ll need to just know the actual size requirements and then just select the size you need and disregard the actual country information as they are set up for passport photos not visa photos. In our case, we just ordered United States passport photos as the visa size requirements were the same as those for a U.S. passport photo.
Tips for Taking your Own Passport or Visa Photo (or being Prepared to Have your Photo Taken Professionally)
1.) Know the passport or visa photo requirements and double check them. There is plenty of outdated and inaccurate information floating around on the Internet, so make sure that you get the most updated and reputable information (check embassies and government websites or call your local embassy for the latest guidelines) to prevent a lot of wasted time and effort. Be sure to note that the passport photo and visa photo requirements for the same country may differ so be sure to look up the correct information. Currently for a U.S. passport, the photo must be 2 inches-by-2 inches (5cm X 5cm) and in color. You must stand in front of a white background, face the camera directly and have a neutral expression. In the final photo, your head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
2.) Put a little thought into what you are going to wear. Most passport and visa photo requirements specify a white, light colored, or blue solid background. Try to avoid wearing white or black, but choose a solid colored shirt that will stand out. Remember this is a professional identification photo so try to avoid shirts with messages, emblems, religious or political connotations, etc. and don’t wear anything that might be considered overtly sexual. Hats, scarves, and other head coverings not worn for religious reasons must be removed. The rules on head coverings for religious reasons vary by country so check on these, but generally you will need to ensure that if a head covering is worn that it does not cover or create shadows on one’s face and you may need to obtain a letter stating that it is worn for religious reasons.
3.) Make up is fine but don’t wear too much. Wear your hair down and as natural as possible and try to tame any flyaways before taking the photos with gel or hairspray. Prescription glasses should be worn only if they are normally worn, but you may need to tilt them down on your nose a bit to avoid a glare in the photo.
4.) When taking the photos, stand facing the camera and try to be at least 4 feet from the camera. Stand against a white or off-white wall or covering and in a place with good lighting. To avoid shadows on your face, try to avoid standing directly under a light and stand as close to the wall as possible. When posing, keep your shoulders down and back, have a neutral expression on your face (keep mouth closed, no big smiles), and stick your chin out a bit. The photo should include your shoulders, full head, and some space above your head. If you are taking them yourselves, you’ll need to enlist the help of a friend or family member or set up your camera or phone’s timer.
5.) If you are doing it yourself, upload and view your photo on your computer or phone. Use editing software such as those programs mentioned earlier so that the photo complies with the stated passport or visa photo requirements. If the photo is going to require a lot of editing, you may want to just try again and take some more photos. Once you get an acceptable photo, you can either print it yourself on photo paper or have it printed professionally.
More Tips for Passport Photos and Visa Photos
- No matter whether you are getting the photos taken professionally or doing them yourself, pay close attention to the photo requirements. If you get it done professionally most photographers will be aware of the requirements for a U.S. passport, but they likely are not familiar with all the international visa requirements so come prepared and be able to specify the exact requirements. You should also double check the prints to make sure they are correct and take them back and get them redone if not.
- This is not specific to photos, but you should travel with copies of your passport and visas (paper and digital if possible) and have a copy saved somewhere at home. We generally travel with printed and digital copies and leave a copy with a friend or family member in case of an emergency. This can be extremely helpful if your passport is ever lost or stolen.
- You should also have back-up passport or visa photos available, especially if you travel a lot. If your passport, ID card, or visa gets stolen while traveling, having these available may speed up the process of getting them replaced. These can also come in handy if you need to get a security or identification card done in a country for any reason. You’ll also be in the position to apply for visas as you go and not need to get a new set of photos printed each time you head to a new destination.
- If you are traveling long-term, it can be difficult to keep obtaining visa photos, especially while you are traveling. Having a number of extras around will save you time and money. You’ll also be in the position to apply for visas as you go and not need to get a new set of photos printed each time you head to a new destination. For instance, if you’re planning a long international trip, some countries only allow you to apply for a visa 30 days in advance of your intended date of arrival. If you are already on the road, you won’t have to worry about getting photos taken or printed abroad as you’ll already have extras with you.
- If you pay for a professional printed copy of your passport photo, ask if you can also get a digital copy. We actually paid to have printed photos done at Walgreens for a past visa application, then we scanned the photos into an editable PDF file which has allowed us to edit the photos and store them digitally. We now use these photos for both paper and digital visa applications and it has saved us a lot of money over the past few months.
- The photos are important, but don’t forget to pay attention to all the other details of the passport or visa application! Some applications can be fairly simple, whereas others are more time-intensive affairs and may require the gathering of personal data, trip information, financial information, and supporting letters about your travel. So just plan ahead and leave yourself enough time to gather all this information and for the government office or embassy to process your request.
Well, that’s our guide to passport and visa photos. We hope this was useful for any of you looking for advice and tips on how best to get your photos taken and printed. We are really happy to now have digital copies of our photos that we can print as we wish as this has saved us a lot of time and money recently. Passports and visas are expensive enough without wasting extra money on simple digital photos!
Any additional tips, tricks, or advice to share related to passport or visa photos? Any questions about passport photos or visa photos? As always, we’d love to hear from you!
Goldie Post author
Getting passport and visa photos, I’ve found the whole process can be a bit of a hassle, especially with how pricey they can be at drugstores. Lots of places have also stopped doing them at least where I live but there are Walgreens, FedEx, CVS, and our local post office doing them. But I got them done for just $1 at our local library who offers this service once a month so a potentially cheaper option for some who have this opportunity.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Goldie,
That’s great that you were able to get your photos for such as cheap price taken at your local library. I don’t think our library offers this service but I think people looking for best budget options for their passport or visa photos should definitely search to see what options are available to them locally.
Best,
Jessica
GIT Post author
Curious if you have update information on USA Costco for Canadian passport photos. I went to the Costco site and typed in passport photos in the search box and nothing shows up. I am in Southern California. And BTW, the Canadian passport office is very strict – needs to be professionally taken on commercial paper, etc… FYI for readers.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi GIT,
I can see that some Costco stores offer this service but it does not appear to be universal. I just read an article from January 2021 saying that Costco will be closing its in-store photo departments in the U.S. and that photo services will be moving online. However, it does not appear that the passport services are moving online and they seemed to have removed all information about passport photos from their website, so it appears they may no longer be offering this service. So Costco is probably not going to be great place to go for passport photos any longer, at least not in the USA. I suspect the same may also be the case in Canada?
Many of these sorts of stores like Walmart, Costco, drug stores, ASDA, etc are losing their in-store photo services. And for the passports in particular, this was more important as a certain level of quality could be ensured if photos were taken by a staff member (and redone if necessary after printing), but now it seems many are not transferring that services online, probably because of the quality issue. As you noted with Canada, many countries can be strict about passport and visa photos, so they were probably getting complaints from customers when their photos were being refused.
Thanks for alerting me to this. If you are in the USA and are looking for an in-person option, you should still be able to find someone who can do passport photos, I’d try local photo/copy places, Walmart photo center, or a local photo studio. If the Canada size or requirements are different than the USA, you’ll want to make sure to provide them with that info.
Good luck!
Jessica
Naim Post author
Important topics. I learned lot about passport photos from your post. Thanks for sharing with us.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Thanks Naim! Just let us know if you have any questions about passport or visa photos 😉
Israt jahan Post author
Where can I take visa photo Bangladesh visa? I try few CVS but they only take passport photo but they do not understand how to make different country visa photo. Where to go to get it
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Israt,
It will depend entirely on where you live if you need an in-person visa photo taken. I’d start with print and drug stores offering photo services, are there any others than CVS where you live? If that doesn’t work you can try contacting local photo studios and photographers that does portraits as they can probably do it if you supply the specifications to the photographer. You might also try calling the Bangladesh embassy if there is one in your area, some embassies will do visa and passport photos.
If none of those options works, I’d recommend trying one of the online services and taking the photo yourself.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Jessica
Raajih Post author
Hi very useful information especially saving and printing from a digitally stored copy – regarding visa applications – is it wise to apply at your next port of entry if one is Overlanding across different countries?
Thanks Raajih
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Raajih,
Glad you found the information about visa photos useful! When you should apply for a particular visa will depend on the country you want to visit and your nationality. It may also depend on the reasons for your visit and length of stay. So I’d be sure to carefully check the requirements.
But for any country, you will want to check the visa requirements well in advance of your trip. For many countries that require a visa, you will need to obtain this before you leave your home country and may need to visit a local embassy or mail in forms. Some countries have e-visa processes where you can apply online and get approval before your trip.
Many countries do allow you to apply at the port of entry and sometimes this is very easy and just requires a short form and fee. Sometimes this is the only way to get a visa as tourist visas are not always available in advance for some countries. However, doing it at the border / port of entry can be more expensive, could delay your trip, and obviously you could be in a bad situation if your application is denied. So if you can do it in advance, I’d generally do that.
But this all really depends again on the particular circumstances of the country you wish to visit and your trip.
Hope that helps!
Jessica
Sue Post author
Informative although no mention of the pitiful quality of drugstore photos that you are going to have to live with for 10 years. Greasy cadavre off-centre is what one looks like. The clerk taking the photo is supposed to be trained to take the pics correctly esp.for the price.You have the right to see them before you pay, but many just forgo that etiquette. Recently needed photos for Canada Immigration,who dont allow DIY online photos. They have to be “professionally taken” which means more expensive. You arent allowed glasses,hair concealing your ears , etc…really a total pain ..
New research has indicated that facial recognition of someone is more accurate with a slight smile. It has to do with symmetry .So this whole idea of bootface expression for ID is outdated.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Sue, Thanks for sharing your experience, it sounds like you had a negative experience at the drugstore you chose. The photos should certainly not be off center and you should be able to see them before you pay for them. I would definitely choose somewhere else next time!
But really whether you take them yourself (if allowed) or get them professionally done, you still normally need to remove glasses, headwear, tuck hair, not smile, stand centered, etc. It is really so the photos are standardized as possible, which is just the rules.
Best,
Jessica
Thị thực Post author
This article is very helpful in the upcoming trip in figuring out how to get a visa. Thank you
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Thị, Thank you for taking the time to comment, and we are always happy to hear you found our article on visas helpful! Happy travels, Jessica
Michel Thomas Post author
Thanks for this great advice on visa photos. Now I know how, I am working hard on these. Thanks.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Michel, Thanks for taking the time to comment and best of luck on getting your visa photos! Happy travels, Jessica
Elli Avram Post author
Great article about where to get passport photos. At paspic.com we can show you how to make passport photos, and even baby’s first passport photos, meet all official regulations to ensure your passport application is approved first time.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Thanks Elli for telling us about your website which is another resource for people looking for passport photos! Best, Jessica
Joseph Post author
Thanks for such an informative and helpful blog. Getting passport and visa photo can give you a migraine. your blog post will help those people who are looking for high quality passport photo. You have shared different places for passport photo but in my opinion online passport photo would be the best choice.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Joseph, Yes, it can be a headache to get a new passport or visa photo and to figure out the guidelines, especially if you don’t live close to a place that takes them. Online is definitely a good option for a lot of people, especially those who can do a little of their own research and for those who don’t live near a photo shop. Best, Jessica
Blake Post author
Great post! Yes, people need to keep a check on the passport photo guidelines always and make sure you follow them. If you are seeking the most economical solution to the passport photos, then best online passport photos can be the best option for you that makes you get your passport photos delivered to your home without any hassle. At least in my experience!
travelcats Post author
Hi Blake, thanks for adding your thoughts and we agree that online visa and passport photos can be an easy and cheap option for those who do not need them immediately! Best, Jessica
PS Post author
Correct passport photos are such an important part while filling out paperwork for passports and visas. Those who are not aware about the importance of passport photos will get help from this post.
travelcats Post author
Yes, indeed, getting correct visa and passport photos can really save you a lot of time and money. Submitting an incorrect photo will cause your application to be denied and often you’ll loose the application fee as well! Best to try to follow all the rules and regulations as carefully as possible! Best, Jessica
Constantine Post author
This is a great list of ways to get a passport photo or visa photo taken! One more to consider: http://www.mypassportphotos.com is another good passport photo maker. It has also has apps avaialble for iOS and Android
travelcats Post author
Hi Constantine, Thanks, I have not used this program, but thanks for another suggestion for our readers when they are looking for ways to take and print their passport photos! Best, Jessica
John Williams Post author
You are dead wrong about Walmart being cheap. My wife and I recently Had our photos at Walmart at the ridiculous price of $24.99 plus tax each !!
We paid $57..50 for Passport photos for each of us. What a rip off !!! I then needed photos for a British passport and was able to get them at Costco for $7.50.. – plus they were more professional . Travel agencies here are advising people to steer clear of Walmart .
travelcats Post author
Hi John, Sorry to hear about your bad experience with getting passport (?) photos at Walmart. But the pricing is currently $7.44 if ordered online in the United States (you can pick them up at the nearest store or choose to have them mailed) and I checked with a store (in Illinois) and it was $7.88 for two U.S. passport photos whether the customer had a digital copy or if the store associate took the photo and had it processed within the store. Prices differ slightly across stores and regions but I don’t think they differ that much within the United States. It sounds like you were either ordering another type of photo or were charged incorrectly. If you were ordering a visa photo or a passport photo of another size (not U.S.) then costs were likely more if they were not a standard size as it requires extra work for the resizing. Thanks for sharing your comment.
Jackie Harvey Post author
Does Costco in the States do Canadian passport photos?
travelcats Post author
Hi Jackie, it can be a bit difficult to get non-U.S.passport or visa photos if they are of a different size requirement. I would call your closest Costco first and ask. You might also try AAA, Walgreens, Sears photography studio, or a professional photography studio. A professional photo studio would definitely be able to do a photo to your requirements. You can also try the online ordering option if you have more time. Good luck and let me know where you are able to find them to help future readers! Thanks, Jessica
Mariah Post author
These are some great tips! We are getting ready to have to renew our passport, so perfect timing 🙂
travelcats Post author
Glad these tips came at a good time for you!
Laura Ehlers Post author
Wish I had seen your tips a year ago – my newest passport photo makes me look like a 85 year old, anemic, stroke victim. My daughter has a theory on these terrifyingly awful photos – she feels that if you were kidnapped or gone missing abroad the pic most likely used on the news would be the horrible passport photo which would present a much more realistic photo of how one would look if kidnapped or gone missing abroad thus making it easier for a stranger to ID you!!
travelcats Post author
Hi Laura, sorry to hear that you had a bad passport photo taken, but at least you can make sure to get a better one next time around. Sounds like you and your daughter have been able to find some humor in it though:) I had a driver’s license photo before where I had been wearing a light pink tank top and people would do a double check as it looked like I was naked at first glance; I was happy when I could get a new one:)
Jessica Moore Post author
The ultimate guide and very useful. I like to travel with my family and often get different visas so we need the right photos for our applications not to be rejected. I own Passport Photo Maker software and our visa application have never been denied so far. I recommend the program, it will help you prepare any ID photo properly – passport, visa, driver’s licence and so on.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Glad you enjoyed our guide and thanks for the passport photo software tip. Best, Jessica
Meghan Post author
Thanks for this! I’ve never been anywhere where I need a visa but am planning on going to Africa soon, so this information is very helpful. I appreciate all the research you did so I don’t have to!
travelcats Post author
Thanks Meghan, yes, these tips can save you money for Africa as most countries do require visas! We’ll be sharing our Tanzania and Kenya adventures starting next month!
Lynda Post author
Great tips! I was sick of getting charged $20+ in Australia for mine (although they do give you a set of 6) so I started taking them myself then photoshopping them down to size. I’d fit roughly 6 on a standard 6×4 photo size then take them to those photo booths to have one page printed for like 20 cents!!! I also love how the US will let you smile in your photos, but in Australia they will by no means let you smile and get mad at you when you do!!!
travelcats Post author
Yep, so cheap to take and print your own passport photos! Glad you discovered this as well. We actually are not supposed to smile either, but adopt a “neutral expression”, haha.
Adelina Post author
Very informative post, especially if you’re in the US. I normally get my professional passport photos taken at Costco. That is definitely the cheapest option in Canada. I’ve taken visa photos for friends and family though. Usually just put them on a white background and snap away. I haven’t failed there yet. When I was living in Budapest, I got 4 crappy looking photos from a photo booth – like one of those you see people taking funny pictures in. It was surreal, but they were accepted for the various ID cards I needed.
travelcats Post author
Good to know that Costco is also a good option in Canada. Yes, we have heard of people using the photo booth photos as well with many successes. I think it probably depends how strict the country is but it is so nice to have options and not have to pay a lot for photos if you want to save money.
Kate Post author
What a brilliant guide! I stopped having my passport photos taken professionally when the price jumped again and I found myself paying $12 for two photos at a Walgreens in the US. With all of the passport photos I needed that year, I said “no more” and figured out how to print my own. I have a jpeg saved on my computer of a passport photo for myself that I took, tiled six times to make a 4×6 inch, and either print it on a photo printer myself if I have access, or do the online photo printing service through a pharmacy, which costs between 15 and 30 cents, depending on the pharmacy and location. It literally saved me over $100 last year and meant that I could take as many as I wanted until I got one that I liked, which I now use for everything.
travelcats Post author
Hi Kate, yes we had a similar experience with the prices at Walgreens, and decided to start looking into other options. I think doing it yourself is a great option to save money, or at least finding the lowest price such as the discount warehouses where one can get it done professionally for less.
Meredith Post author
This is such a great post idea! I’ve taken passport/visa photos for quite a few of my friends and it’s amazing how many blank looks I get when I ask about the requirements! I feel like people are always just a little surprised at how strict the policies can be. You really nailed it on the DIY suggestions – and I’m definitely bookmarking the online help sites for posterity 🙂
travelcats Post author
Thanks Meredith, so glad to hear that you felt this was helpful since it seems you do a lot of passport photo taking yourself. It is really amazing how little some people pay attention to all the specific requirements for documents.
Erica Post author
This is so helpful! We paid so much back in SA to get biometric photos taken in another city for our German documents, where here one can do it oneself in a photobooth for 5E. I much prefer taking the photo myself since I can decide if I like it or not!
travelcats Post author
Yes, we’ve heard that those tourist photobooths found in shopping centers, transit centers, etc. can work for passport photos as well. I think the issue is getting the proportions right and some people just use scissors to carefully trim it to the right size. Biometric photos are definitely not worth spending a ton of money for in my opinion, especially if you have some time to go with a less expensive option. But I think many people feel obligated to spend the money because they are for such important purposes.
Michele Post author
You really researched this. I went to Malaysia with lots of copies of my passport photo to use as a visa photo. Unfortunately, they required them to have a blue background, and all of mine had white. I should have researched it better. Good point about thinking about what you are wearing. I must confess that I’ve never given it any thought, but I tend to wear rather boring clothes anyways.
travelcats Post author
Hi Michele, thanks. Oh that sucks about the blue background. I think if you had it in digital form you may have been able to use editing software to change the background color which might be useful to do in the future. That is good for us to think about as well as in the U.S. white or off-white is the standard so we should figure out how to change the background color to meet requirements where we might need to change the color.
jan Post author
An excellent article with lots of research. I have never thought of taking passport photos ourselves. 🙂
travelcats Post author
Yes, we hadn’t thought of it either before doing some research on the issue. Funny, because really they are just simple digital photos and there are plenty of guides and editing software online that can help you get the photos the correct size that it really make sense for anyone wanting to save a bit of money.
Emma Post author
Lots of useful tips there… I hate hate hate having any kind of picture taken, especially passport/visa pics that you might have to live with for a long time! 😀
travelcats Post author
Yes, I have blonde hair in my passport photo and it is a bad picture, so people always do a double take and comment on my now black hair. I am lucky they recognize my face and so far have not give me any hassles:)
Marissa Post author
Very helpful suggestions! Will be perfect to refer to before my next travel adventure. Thanks for sharing!
travelcats Post author
Thanks Marissa for stopping by and glad this was useful information.
Corinne Post author
Jessica, What an informative and helpful post. It can be very frustrating trying to have visa photos taken over and over and paying various exhorbitant fees. I’m sure this post will help a lot of people.
travelcats Post author
Thanks Corinne, I hope this will be a helpful post for those looking for advice on passport and visa photos:)
frankaboutcroatia Post author
Wow, you sure have lots of options in the States to have your passport photos taken. However, I am surprised that every place makes & charges by the set of 2 photos. In Croatia, you can have your photos taken solely at the local photo studio. And althpugh the price is around 10$, you get as many photos as you want. Usually, by default, they print you 4 passport photos, and 4 ID size photos (smaller). Great tips on taking the photos yourself. Thanks for sharing!
travelcats Post author
Yes, we do have a lot of options in the U.S. but most are much more costly it sounds than in Croatia. Most Americans don’t have passports (sad but true) and most never need visa as so many countries don’t require them for American citizens so companies sell the photos 2 at a time and assume you only need them for a passport. I think this highlights a difference in other countries where there is more international travel and there is an assumptions that you might actually need multiple passport/visa photos.