Baby and Newborn Passport Photo: How to Get It Right
A baby or newborn passport photo follows the same size and background rules as an adult's, with one common allowance: many countries permit the baby's eyes to be closed and don't require the strict "no expression" rule adults face - check your specific country's page for the exact wording.
Two ways to take it
- Lying down, photographed from above: lay the baby on a plain white sheet or blanket and photograph straight down from directly overhead. This avoids needing anyone to hold the baby upright.
- Held against a wall: have a parent hold the baby in front of a plain background, then crop the photo so no part of the parent - hands, arms, clothing - is visible in the final frame.
Common problems
- A shadow from whoever is holding the baby falling across the background.
- A patterned blanket, toy, or pacifier visible in frame.
- The baby's hand or hair covering part of the face.
- Low resolution from cropping in tightly on a photo taken from far away - get physically close instead of digitally zooming.
FAQ
Do baby passport photos need open eyes?
Varies by country - many explicitly allow closed eyes for infants since keeping them open on demand is often impractical. Check your specific country's page for the rule.
Can a parent hold the baby in the photo?
Generally yes, but the parent's hands, arms, and any other part of them must not be visible in the final cropped photo - only the baby.
Can I use a car seat or stroller as a prop?
Not directly in frame - drape a plain white sheet over it first so only a plain background shows behind the baby.