Tired of paying for passport photos that don’t even turn out right? With a little preparation, you can take and print your own professional-quality passport photos at home or at a self-service kiosk. I learned the hard way so you don’t have to—here’s everything you need to know to get it right the first time.
Step 1: Take the Perfect Photo
Before you even think about printing, start with a good-quality image. Here’s what you need:
✔ A plain white or off-white background – A well-lit wall works best.
✔ Good lighting – Natural light or soft, even artificial light reduces shadows.
✔ A straight-on angle – Position the camera at eye level.
✔ A neutral expression – No smiles or tilting your head.
Pro Tip: No tripod? When taking a photo tuck in your arms to keep your shot steady.
Step 2: Edit and Format the Image
Many people make the mistake of resizing photos incorrectly. To avoid this, use GIMP (a free alternative to Photoshop) for precise formatting.
1️⃣ Open your photo in GIMP
2️⃣ Crop to the correct size refer passport requirements. Check your country’s guidelines!
3️⃣ Adjust brightness and contrast – If your image looks too dark, lighten it slightly to avoid a bad print.
4️⃣ Save as a high-quality JPEG or PNG
Step 3: Set Up a Print-Ready Layout
To print multiple passport photos efficiently, create a 6x4” (standard photo paper size) canvas and arrange your images properly.
How to Do It in GIMP:
✔ Create a 6x4” blank canvas
✔ Import and position your cropped passport photos with even spacing
✔ Leave a small margin around each photo to prevent unexpected cropping
Step 4: Print Like a Pro (and Avoid Common Mistakes)
At an Officeworks Self-Service Kiosk:
✔ Save your 6x4” image to a USB or phone
✔ Choose standard 6x4” prints (not auto-fitted sizes!)
✔ Print in glossy finish if available
Avoid This Mistake: Most kiosks auto-scale images to fit, which can distort or crop your passport photos. Always leave extra space around your images when creating your print layout.
Final Thoughts: Why DIY Passport Photos Are Worth It
My first attempt at DIY passport photos failed because I didn’t plan ahead. But after learning from my mistakes, I now get perfect, government-approved passport photos —for a fraction of the cost.
By following these steps, you can avoid wasted prints, save money, and take control of your own passport photo process. Try it out and never overpay for passport photos again!