Awful id picture

[FearlessSwiftie]

I'm not the only one whose documents' pics look more like a mug shot, right? Are there any ladies who can say they love their passport photos, though? Can you please share some tips on how to look better in it? I'm going to get a few pcs for my driving license and visa, so I'd really need some advice.

Ah, dear, everyone's passport photo looks like a mug shot, even babies'! For as long as I can remember I've had awful photos where I looked either sick or tired or both. The only good picture I have is my Canada visa photo I've got last year, but that's only because I've done it myself and sent in.

Sorry I don't have any useful input. I'm just here awaiting useful replies with interest. My current passport photo has definite shades of Myra Hindley.

DD looks like a zombie on her passport photo 😂 I look like a serial killer.

I often wonder whether Angelina Jolie etc also looks awful in her ID photos.

I think natural light is best and I always take them myself so I can take eleventy billion and pick the least worst one.

I think you need to practise your "neutral expression" too so it is less "grim faced" and more relaxed.

I know the picture can be done on your own Sweetener, I just can't find a white background so no homemade photo for me

@SoupDragon wow, serial killer style is exactly how I look in my official papers right now

Neutral expression is a hard thing to have on your face. I mostly look as if I'm bored or sick to death when I have it

@Batfinklestein

Sorry I don't have any useful input. I'm just here awaiting useful replies with interest. My current passport photo has definite shades of Myra Hindley.

Ha - me too!

I had a really nice passport photo a few years ago (total fluke) and then the passport office trapped a bit of fluff under the laminate so it gave me one really strange looking eyebrow.

I look shocking on my latest driving licence update. They now make you take your specs off, so I couldn't see where to look in the Post Office photo booth thing. I'm vaguely in the right direction, scowling. I also had very, very short hair at the time so I look like a teenage boy.

I had one amazing passport photo taken by total fluke when I was about 18. I was so irritated when that passport expired and I had to trade it in.

I look like an ill junkie in my photo.

Most of us look awful in these. I've only ever had one ID photo taken where, dare I say, I actually looked quite glamorous, so much so that DH wanted a copy for his wallet. (Security said no). A complete and utter fluke though. Would doing your hair particularly well help?

I usually end up looking like an international terrorist.

The one in my passport is not too bad. It's old now though. I had bad eczema so plastered my face with tons of make-up.

Work id pass ones are usually hideous, but one of my colleagues recently is absolutely stunning - naturally film star beautiful without make-up, and she didn't look nice in hers, so I put it down to lighting and unflattering angle.

I refuse to put a truly hideous one in my passport in case something happens to me and they use it in the news or something.

I hang up a bedsheet as my background.

@FearlessSwiftie you can do it on your own. There are online services like 123 Passport photo that change passport photo background color and special software like Passport photo maker. Just make sure the photo doesn't look heavily edited, otherwise they'll decline.

@ginghamtablecloths not really, the problem is usually in my facial expression and I'm not sure what's the exact problem: the skin or the expression or the makeup

@SoupDragon @Sweetener12 thanks!!

I had a good passport picture once (i was 23, maybe that's the secret?). I put on TONNES of make up, really a lot. In real life I looked like Ru Paul but the picture looked good.

Also, practice 'smizing', smiling with your eyes, it makes a big difference to just staring blankly at the camera.

Wow, I came on to post that mine looks exactly like Myra Hindley, I'm mildly relieved that I'm not the only one 😂

My tips from previous more flattering id pics I've had is - full face of makeup, specifically nicely done eyes, and wash and style hair carefully. I did neither this time, which is how Myra bludgeoned her way in, to my eternal shame.

I had my photo taken at Jessops back in 2013. My old passport photo was grim. The latest one is acceptable.

ID photos are always crap. Building in some contrast helps in my case brighter than usual makeup, ie red not natural lipstick and more eyeliner and blush and a top that is red (if photo in colour) or some dark solid (if black-and-white) seems to help.

Just one tip from me. DO NOT wear a white or cream top, especially not a light coloured polo neck unless you want to look like a floating head for the next 10 years!

Go to an actual photo shop rather than a booth and get them to keep trying until you get one you like.

The one and only time I sneakily applied foundation in Boots was so that I could go back and get a better passport photo done ...

Agree with @ScrapThatThen- we have a fab local photo shop who takes them in the proper studio with lights and reflectors etc. I’m always pleasantly surprised by mine!