Help - Passport size photo recommendations?

[Visitor User 236]

Hello. I am applying for U.S Citizenship and need assistance to get 2 passport size 2 by 2 photos. I know I can go to my local Walgreens and get them but I want them to look ‘nice’. It has to be white background. I am not sure if local store will take their time to do retakes if I am not satisfied with initial photo?
 

Has anyone done this with their smartphone camera? If so, which app? Are they acceptable?

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

I recommend CVS.  They have done a good job for us.  or Walgreen's.... I would let the experienced folks handle it. 

[Visitor User 236]

8 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I recommend CVS.  They have done a good job for us.  or Walgreen's.... I would let the experienced folks handle it. 

It also depends on the employee taking the photo. They could be busy and want to move on. I am a guy. What do you recommend I wear? 
 

After this, I will need to take another photo to apply for U.S Passport.

[Visitor User 236]

Any apps?

[W199 264]

7 hours ago, Visitor User said:

Hello. I am applying for U.S Citizenship and need assistance to get 2 passport size 2 by 2 photos. I know I can go to my local Walgreens and get them but I want them to look ‘nice’. It has to be white background. I am not sure if local store will take their time to do retakes if I am not satisfied with initial photo?
 

Has anyone done this with their smartphone camera? If so, which app? Are they acceptable?

As crazy cat said, you'd be highly recommended to let a professional place do it.  I went to a new CVS, and they were training someone, and had a small camera. shaking it, etc... I had to walk out on them. I suggested they don't try to train their employees on real customers, the passport photo is important.  I went to the other CVS, they had a better camera, and they let me see the photo first on the digital display. The were will to retake it until I was satisfied. They did a great job, as well as Walgreens for another case. 

[Me and her 276]

We went to local photography shop.  They always show the photo before printing.  Do not use an app.  Let the professionals take the photo.

[Visitor User 236]

18 hours ago, W199 said:

As crazy cat said, you'd be highly recommended to let a professional place do it.  I went to a new CVS, and they were training someone, and had a small camera. shaking it, etc... I had to walk out on them. I suggested they don't try to train their employees on real customers, the passport photo is important.  I went to the other CVS, they had a better camera, and they let me see the photo first on the digital display. The were will to retake it until I was satisfied. They did a great job, as well as Walgreens for another case. 

Do you recommend a photo studio where they are more patient?

3 hours ago, Me and her said:

We went to local photography shop.  They always show the photo before printing.  Do not use an app.  Let the professionals take the photo.

So skip the app and skip Walgreens/CVS and go to a photo studio where they are more patient?

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

36 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Do you recommend a photo studio where they are more patient?

So skip the app and skip Walgreens/CVS and go to a photo studio where they are more patient?

CVS and Walgreens use software to process passport photos.  That software sizes and checks photos for compliance.  They know what they are doing.  That's why they offer the service.

Edited September 29, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Visitor User 236]

16 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

CVS and Walgreens use software to process passport photos.  That software sizes and checks photos for compliance.  They know what they are doing.  That's why they offer the service.

Photo studios also offer passport services. Thoughts?

[IF-Mclean 83]

Are pictures required for the citizenship application? I did not see that while I completed the online application.

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

6 minutes ago, IF-Mclean said:

Are pictures required for the citizenship application? I did not see that while I completed the online application.

No.  Just for a passport.

Edited September 29, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Visitor User 236]

1 hour ago, IF-Mclean said:

Are pictures required for the citizenship application? I did not see that while I completed the online application.

Yes they are because they go on the certificate.

[top_secret 2,063]

The primary problem with any smart phone or app is that you do not have professional lighting that will take the picture without shadows or uneven illumination.  For me, any picture of myself that I may be  looking at for the 10 years in a passport I will go pay extra to a professional photographer who has the right equipment and knows what they are doing.

[Visitor User 236]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

No.  Just for a passport.

What about the N-600?

[Visitor User 236]

2 minutes ago, top_secret said:

The primary problem with any smart phone or app is that you do not have professional lighting that will take the picture without shadows or uneven illumination.  For me, any picture of myself that I may be  looking at for the 10 years in a passport I will go pay extra to a professional photographer who has the right equipment and knows what they are doing.

True and we don’t want to risk rejection either. Has this ever happened?