Capture a clean source photo
Stand in soft front-facing light, use a plain wall, keep the camera at eye level, and leave room around the head and shoulders. Use the original camera file instead of an image saved from social media or a chat app.
Choose the document before exporting
Digital passport photo rules vary by country and document. Pick the destination preset first so the crop, size, head position, and file output match the actual application path.
Export and inspect the final file
Check the final JPEG dimensions, file size, face position, background, and sharpness. The thumbnail in your gallery is not enough; inspect the exact file you will upload.
Before you start
Use the original camera file whenever possible. Photos saved from messaging apps, screenshots, social-media downloads, and heavily compressed gallery previews often lose the detail around the eyes, hairline, and jaw that official upload systems inspect first.
Retake checklist
Retake the photo if the face is blurred, the head is tilted, the mouth is open, the background crosses the face, glasses create glare, or the lighting changes skin tone. Retaking a weak source is safer than trying to repair identity-bearing details after capture.
Authority and portal check
The final rule is always the passport office, embassy, consulate, or upload portal that receives the application. After exporting the file, compare pixel size, file type, file size, background, expression, and head position against the exact destination before submission.