Cheap way to get passport photos in the US

[bestofboth 1]

Hi!

I live in LA and was shocked to find how difficult it is to come across places that print passport photos for less than extortionate prices (compared to the UK where there is a photo booth in every shopping centre). So if you're like me and don't want to spend anymore than you have to, here's what you need to do:

Use a camera that is good enough to do the job (i used the camera on my motorola razr v3i and they came out fine).

You want a plain white/cream wall as the background.

Use lamps from around the house to set up a basic 3-point lighting scenario. (i used two lamps and the ambient light in a well lit kitchen)

Follow the guidelines here http://travel.state.gov/pdf/Photo%20Guide%2010-01-04.pdf

Take the photos so that they are more zoomed out than the desired final version.

Go to a Target that has a photo processing centre - they have a machine that will let you select passport photo as the format, you can then position and crop the photo so that your head is in the right place and takes up just the right amount of space.

Print one sheet (5 of you, 1 of him) for 25c. Hey why not knock yourself out and print two just in case.

Happy snapping!

[Old Dominion 26]

CVS drugstore did mine for ten bucks. Sure saved a lot of time on my part. Walgreen's, Rite-Aid, etc. -- there's one in every shopping center and nearly everywhere else.

[Otto 83]

I was going to say - Walgreen's, WalMart, CVS, FedEx/Kinkos etc are plentiful in Louisiana..

[bestofboth 1]

The CVS near me charged $8 for 2 photos and i needed 6.

[Otto 83]

The CVS near me charged $8 for 2 photos and i needed 6.

Here's an easier tip.

I took the pair of passport photos I got from Walgreen's - scanned them (I scanned them 8 to a page) and printed them out on photo paper (could do the same with a color copier too). Saved the hassle of trying to get the background, size, etc just right. and I had 10 for about a $1 more.

[evilmonkee 0]

If you already have AAA insurance/ membership , passport pictures are free for all members. Some other car insurance companies also offer have similar discounts, but I am only familiar with AAA.

My husband only needed one set for his G325A and he got it for free, I got one set free, and I only paid $3 or $4 for the other sets.

Edited October 12, 2009 by evilmonkee

[laurelmike 0]

Hi!

I live in LA and was shocked to find how difficult it is to come across places that print passport photos for less than extortionate prices (compared to the UK where there is a photo booth in every shopping centre). So if you're like me and don't want to spend anymore than you have to, here's what you need to do:

Use a camera that is good enough to do the job (i used the camera on my motorola razr v3i and they came out fine).

You want a plain white/cream wall as the background.

Use lamps from around the house to set up a basic 3-point lighting scenario. (i used two lamps and the ambient light in a well lit kitchen)

Follow the guidelines here http://travel.state.gov/pdf/Photo%20Guide%2010-01-04.pdf

Take the photos so that they are more zoomed out than the desired final version.

Go to a Target that has a photo processing centre - they have a machine that will let you select passport photo as the format, you can then position and crop the photo so that your head is in the right place and takes up just the right amount of space.

Print one sheet (5 of you, 1 of him) for 25c. Hey why not knock yourself out and print two just in case.

Happy snapping!

Yeah, I used to get my passport photographs all the time from the photo booths in the train station or shopping malls in Glasgow at cheap prices. I thought the photo booths were common place here too but alas was not the case, so I had to go to a CVS store. Thanks for the tips, it would surely come in handy

[NycBra 4]

I paid $8 at CVS and I got 4 photos.

[Old Dominion 26]

I get ten from CVS for ten bucks.

[Mimino 2]

we got ours at walgreens for like ten-fifteen bucks. when they charge you 8 for 2 pics, tell them to give you the rest, since the just throw those other copies away.

[*JG* 2]

We actually had to go to Sears. The Jamaican embassy states very clearly they ONLY accept passport photo's from Sears or The Picture People. They returned our Walgreens pics even though the US gave me my new passport with the Walgreens pics.

Used Sears and sent along receipt to prove it.