A very fast way to get your passport photo in less than an hour is to visit a one hour photo shop. Many places that offer one hour photo development can also take passport photos. Avoid portrait studios because they typically charge a lot more than one hour photo shops. A one hour photo shop is going to be professional, less expensive, and fast.
Call ahead and ask if the photo shop takes passport photos. The photos need meet certain criteria if they are going to be used for a passport photo. The photo has to be a certain size, the head has to take up a specific amount of space, the person should not be smiling, there can't be a glare on a person's glasses that covers their eyes, etc. Don't try to take your own photo because it will probably not meet the passport photo application specifications, and if it is returned it will slow down the passport application process.
Photo shops that are qualified to take passport photos can usually take the photo right away and then print it out within minutes. Choose a slow time of day to have your photo taken. If there aren't many other customers when you show up, the process should go very fast, and you could have your photos in less than ten minutes.
When you get your passport photo taken, you should receive two copies of your photo. The passport application typically requires two photos, so read all the instructions to find out how many photos you need.
To ensure that your passport photo is taken as fast as possible, wear the proper attire. Wear a plain shirt without any writing on the chest. If you wear glasses that become tinted in the sun, make sure that they are not dark during your photo because it will not be an acceptable photo. If your glasses are too dark in your passport photo you will have to wait for them to lighten, and then take another passport photo. Follow all of these steps if you want to ensure that you will get your passport photo as fast as possible.
