Passport photos

SustainabilityMary

No one seems to provide the cost of taking UK passport photos on their websites. So it seems that i will need to visit the studio/ photo booth to find out.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Or is it worthwhile using one of the free photo apps to take my own photo.
Does anyone have any relevant experience? Again a lack of reviews of apps online.

daveyjp

DIY.  Just get the lighting and background right.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6351760/passport-renewal-online-photos#latest

eDicky

How are you making your application? If online, you can upload your photo taken in a way to fulfill the requirements. Any smartphone already has a camera app, if applying on your phone it can be used to take and submit your photo, but somebody else must take the photo because a selfie is a mirror image, useless for the biometrics.

With a paper application you're at the mercy of a photo studio or booth, sorry I've no idea of the cost, usually these days they issue a code to submit to HM Passport Office for them to upload.

MysteryMe

I just took a selfie with my mobile phone camera, stood in front of a plain wall and made sure there was no shadow  across the face. No need for any special apps. Will be even easier if you have a family member or friend to take it for you.  I've travelled abroad twice recently and gone through the automatic passport scanners OK

eDicky

MysteryMe said:

I just took a selfie with my mobile phone camera, stood in front of a plain wall and made sure there was no shadow  across the face. No need for any special apps. Will be even easier if you have a family member or friend to take it for you. 

If a selfie was accepted, you will probably find that automatic gates don't recognise you.

MysteryMe

Sorry. I edited my post whilst you were replying. I've gone through the automatic gates OK, last time 2 weeks ago coming back to Stansted.

eDicky

MysteryMe said:

Sorry. I edited my post whilst you were replying. I've gone through the automatic gates OK, last time 2 weeks ago coming back to Stansted.

Bravo..! So much for the infallible biometrics.!

MysteryMe

Perhaps they have technology installed that detects mirror images?  Not really sure how it all works TBH!

eDicky

MysteryMe said:

Perhaps they have technology installed that detects mirror images?  Not really sure how it all works TBH!

I was thinking the same, maybe facial recognition has become that clever.. but when I applied on my phone last year I think it was mentioned not to use a selfie, unless I read that elsewhere...

smudge56

eDicky said:

MysteryMe said:

Perhaps they have technology installed that detects mirror images?  Not really sure how it all works TBH!

I was thinking the same, maybe facial recognition has become that clever.. but when I applied on my phone last year I think it was mentioned not to use a selfie, unless I read that elsewhere...

You’re right you shouldn’t use a mirror image but sometimes it’s difficult to detect unless you have some distinguishing mark on one side of the face.  You shouldn’t use a filter either. 

Archie_Duke

SustainabilityMary said:

No one seems to provide the cost of taking UK passport photos on their websites. So it seems that i will need to visit the studio/ photo booth to find out.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Or is it worthwhile using one of the free photo apps to take my own photo.
Does anyone have any relevant experience? Again a lack of reviews of apps online.

There are photobooths in loads of supermarkets near me, can’t you try ringing customer service at a couple in your area and asking? They should be able to stroll over and have a look while you’re on the line.
From memory it was £8-10 ish when I got some done last year at a local Tesco.