A passport photo must include a full representation of the front of a person's face. The eyes must be open and all the features included.
The passport photo, in addition to showing the front of the face, should include the area from the top of the hair to the shoulders.
Passport photos must also be taken in front of a clear white background. The background cannot be obstructed by any colors or shadows, including one from the subject of the photo.
The photo should be taken in a well-lit place. Shadows cannot cover the face of the person being photographed.
The face of the person being photographed should be neutral. Smiles and expressions are to be omitted, and the mouth of the person should remain closed.
In addition to the lighting of the photograph, the contrast should be normal. With bad lighting, photos can appear miscolored. Most default camera settings will allow for a normal level of contrast.
The United States requires that passport photos be 2 x 2 inches, while most other countries around the world, including European Union countries, require that the photo be 3.5 x 4.5 inches.
