DCs Passport photos - booth or photographer

[OgreTripletsAreSoCute]

Both my DCs need their passports renewing soon, they are 5 and 7. A local photographer did their first ones but has now gone out of business. The criteria are so strict, is it possible to get them right in a booth? Or would it be a futile and possibly expensive waste of time?

Also, have not used a booth for years, presumably they are all digital now, do you get to have several goes to get a decent photo?

You get 3 gos in a booth. I followed the rules v strictly and the booth either claimed they wouldn't be valid or said they would but I could tell when printed they wouldn't be (looking away even though preview showed I was looking at teh camera etc)

Use a photographer. Much easier. Jessops do it.

snappy snaps will do them for about the same proce as a booth

www.snappysnaps.co.uk/passport-photos/

regulations are now very tight regarding what is acceptable so if you use a booth you need to be clear about what is acceptable and what isn't

proce = price

I've never had any trouble getting passport pics from a booth, but they can be very expensive, so probably just as worthwhile going to a photographer if you can find one.

We took DD2's in the bath when she was a baby and had it printed online! Worked just fine.....

I did a 5yr old and 6yr old in a booth. The only problem I had was getting the stool high enough for them. Luckily having already done two older children I knew to take a cushion for the younger two.

We went to Jessops and paid £7 for 6 photos, they were really good and nicely cut out and stored etc. And they guarantee they will be allowed, they won't print if they break any of the rules for passports. Definitely worth paying for IMO!

I was going to say snappy snaps to. Same price as a booth and they keep taking them until they are suitable for a passport.

Well, the booth is a lot handier, I think I would have to go to nearest big town ( half hour drive) to get to a photography shop whereas there is a booth outside the local Sainsburys. I'm not too confident the DCs will sit still and look straight ahead in a booth! The cushion is a good tip though, my two are both small for their age. Thank you all.

If you use a booth make sure you have the up to date regulations eg hair off face

The screen in the booth shows a band that the children's eyes have to be in and an outline of a face that they have to be in. My children thought it was a great game to keep still and keep their eyes in the band.

The booth goes through all the regulations before it takes the photo.

www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@travel/documents/digitalasset/dg_174925.pdf

I suspect my two would think it a great game to move as much as they can and not keep their eyes in the band, hmm. I have found that there is a Jessops which does it about 15mins drive away, would probably be less stressful for me! Thanks again for all your help everyone.

Post office. They take them with a real camera ie not in a booth, and they know if the photo is acceptable!!

Our post office only has a booth.

Definitely worth going somewhere that they take them with a camera.

Get it done with a camera and someone who knows the regs. My husband had to have his retaken twice, and once was using the booth at the passport office. I wouldn't dream of using a booth with kids nowadays.

Only a booth here, main PO closed recently and now we have to make do with a little one in the corner of WHSmith, grrr.

ds' was done at Timpsons