Any tips on how to get flattering passport photos?

[pearlkent]

OK, maybe not flattering, but at least acceptable.
Ten years have passed since my last lot, when they'd just tightened up the rules about no hint of a smile, hair pulled back off face, face has to fill a certain area of the photo etc etc.
After many attempts (both photo booth and Snappysnaps photographer) and many £££s spent, this still resulted in a hideous photo which I had to submit, as I'd run out of patience.
Any tips on lighting, angles, how much/little make up to wear, hairstyling, whilst staying within the rules. I think maybe I should get some sort of soft fringe cut as the expanse of unbotoxed forehead is bound to look horrendous.
I'm really dreading it, especially as I'm 10 years older (now 54) than last time, and that was bad enough.

Re online applications, how do they deal with the countersign thing, where someone 'of standing' has to declare they've known you x years and sign the back of the photo?

I think they are only for adult renewals do you don't need them to be countersigned

Thanks for that link dementedpixie. My problem is I have a fringe - for a reason. Pushing it back for the photo always looks terrible.

You don't need to have it countersigned if you are renewing.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - the main problem is the pallid blotchy complexion and saggy jawline. I'll practise trowelling on the make up and a bit of lipstick for some colour.

I'm in London so might visit the celebrity passport shop. Website link also v helpful, thanks.

To those who scoff at putting effort into a passport photo (and the point of my post was really to AVOID spending £££s on photo booth duds) - I just know I'll regret for the next 10 years it if I don't. It might seem a bit shallow but there we are.

Just take it at home

I always think my photo is terrible when I get it. Then 5 years later I think it's actually ok. Then by the time I'm renewing, I think I looked amazing in the photo and wonder what I was ever worried about.

I had to do this the other day. I look simultaneously livid and like I’m so done with everything and everybody. Flattering.

Mine is a selfie. I had loads of makeup on and eyelash extensions!

AND I facetuned it just a tad to get rid of spots.

It's bloody gorgeous It's also my driving licence photo and my intranet photo for work, so I wanted it to be a nice one.

I don't have a smartphone so unfortunately can't do any photoshopping/filtering/whatever. Might have to go to a professional I think.

I worry that all the filters, extra make up and editing could make you unrecognisable at passport control, after, say, a 10 hour flight and jet-lag.

Don't get me wrong I do some of the above on Insta .

I have curly hair which naturally falls forward I haven’t pushed it back on my photo and it was accepted

You could pop into a department store for a makeover and then get the pics taken? My auntie did that and her passport photo is great!

Def consider a professional - got my children's passport photos done in a local studio was £10 each I think and I got to choose the pictures from a few. Much less stressful than a photobooth!

I had some passport photos taken in snappy snaps. They weren't great on the screen but didn't want to be vain and ask for them to be retaken so agreed they were ok, they printed them and I paid. Showed my colleague who said "They're fucking awful! You can't use those! Every time you look at your passport you'll wish you had a better photo." She was right...!

I'm sure OP probably got it sorted. It was 10 months ago they asked.

www.lilypebbles.co.uk/2014/01/beauty-tips-for-passport-photos.html

I believe if you're just renewing you can do it yourself online - so take a photo with your phone/ selfie and upload.

Unless I just dreamt this 🙄😂