Passport photo lighting and background checklist

Aim for even front lighting

Stand facing a window or a diffused lamp so both sides of the face are evenly lit. Avoid a bright ceiling light as the only light source because it can create deep eye and chin shadows.

• Avoid direct flash at close range
• Move away from patterned walls
• Check for glare before capture

Keep the background natural

Use a plain background permitted by the selected authority. Do not rely on aggressive background replacement when the authority requires an unaltered image.

PassportPhoto99 reports preparation warnings but does not guarantee acceptance. Compare the finished image with the linked official instructions.