Passport photo cheapest option

IvanOpinion

I did my own for my passport but it took quite a few shots to get one that would be accepted. So when it came to Mrs O I decided to just foot the bill (as you say, just under £10). We got 4 photos which we have already used 3 for various applications and we still have 1 left.

Another way of looking at it is that, for Mrs O it works out at about 15p per usage or, in my case, about 2p per usage  (I do a lot of business travel). Not much when you have just spent hundreds/thousands on a holiday and have to present 'the look' for the next 10 years..

Dazzydk75

£9.99 is quite cheap. Cost me about £13 for my son's for his driving license at Max Spielman!

Or, as suggested, take your own digitally. But I'd recommend downloading an app from the app store as these apps help you get your photo just right. If it's a first passport, you may need a physical photo, though, as the person verifying your identity may need to sign the back. Which is why we had to go to a proper shop for the lad's driving licence application. 

CaptainWales

Ive taken one which gov website application page says is "good". If it turns out they reject it upon further review, will they ask me to provide another photo or will i have to do another application and pay another fee?

eDicky

CaptainWales said:

Ive taken one which gov website application page says is "good". If it turns out they reject it upon further review, will they ask me to provide another photo or will i have to do another application and pay another fee?

They would simply require submission of a new photo, for the application already in process.

Dataless

CaptainWales said:

My local supermarket charges £9.99 for passport photos - seems a bit much when i only need one. Does anybody kmow of another retailer which sells for cheaper?

I went along to a popular high street shop to get some passport photos as I needed to use the Priority £200 service.

I had already read the guidance on taking the photos yourself but figured for a few quid I might as well use a purpose build system, I dressed up proper, treated myself to a coffee and went to get the photos done.

There were lots of instructions, adjust the seat height, look into the camera, don't smile, remove any glasses and so on.

Then I noticed the price and nearly spat out my coffee, it said the price was between £8 and £32!!

Well of course I thought they can foxtrot oscar if they think I am going to pay anything in that range.

However, whilst there I availed myself of the facility as there was nobody waiting, I put my phone where the booth camera was, I took copious amounts of pictures, then for good measure I flipped the phone over and took some more.

I did my application online and it kept prompting me for better photos, there was nothing wrong with any of them so I decided to resubmit the best one and put something in the comments.

The application was accepted, I went to collect the passport with no issue.  

As far as I am concerned if any retailer wants to have rip off prices then they deserve to have no income at all.

I hope this helps others in same situation.

af1963

eDicky said:

CaptainWales said:

Ive taken one which gov website application page says is "good". If it turns out they reject it upon further review, will they ask me to provide another photo or will i have to do another application and pay another fee?

They would simply require submission of a new photo, for the application already in process.

My last renewal, that happened three times in succession. Fourth time lucky ... but no extra fees, just a bit of hassle in re-submitting. The final check seems to be stricter than the website on enforcing completely plain backgrounds and no reflections from glasses.

madlyn

If it is just a renewal then as other have said do it all online.
You submit your photo and get an instant answer as to it being acceptable or not.

Albermarle

af1963 said:

eDicky said:

CaptainWales said:

Ive taken one which gov website application page says is "good". If it turns out they reject it upon further review, will they ask me to provide another photo or will i have to do another application and pay another fee?

They would simply require submission of a new photo, for the application already in process.

My last renewal, that happened three times in succession. Fourth time lucky ... but no extra fees, just a bit of hassle in re-submitting. The final check seems to be stricter than the website on enforcing completely plain backgrounds and no reflections from glasses.

All the examples they give on the website of suitable photos, are of people standing quite well back from the camera, so you can see all their shoulders, some of their arms, and the top half of their chest. In fact the website says this.
If you’re using a photo taken on your own device, include your head, shoulders and upper body. Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you.
When I did the same, it just said it was a poor image ( or whatever the exact phrase is they use)
When I did a more classic passport photo with my head filling 50 to 70% of the picture , it said it was very good.

Albermarle

Dazzydk75 said:

£9.99 is quite cheap. Cost me about £13 for my son's for his driving license at Max Spielman!

Or, as suggested, take your own digitally. But I'd recommend downloading an app from the app store as these apps help you get your photo just right. If it's a first passport, you may need a physical photo, though, as the person verifying your identity may need to sign the back. Which is why we had to go to a proper shop for the lad's driving licence application. 

Most post offices offer a service where they take your driving licence photo, verify, check and process the application. I think it costs £8 more than an online application.