Its great that this has moved with the times, and we can now easily upload a photograph, taken on our phones, for our children passport. You’ve found the blank wall in your house – (easier said than done if its anything like mine!) – you have got your kids on board, found the right time, fed and watered and changed their t-shirt so its not got todays lunch down the front and your ready! good to go.

First things first, the important rules – No hats, no dummies, no other people in the photograph, no red eye – these are really obvious and simple things that you need to think of.

Get your child to stand against your blank wall/background. They need to look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, no smiles please! Make sure their hair is not in their eyes, or covering their face.

As a Kent family photographer I get asked from time to time about taking passport photographs and whilst this is not something that I offer, I wanted to share some tips with you to help you take these yourself.

The main problem seems to be shadows on your face when taking your own photographs The current advise on the UK site reads “not have any shadows on your face or behind you“. This seems to be a common reason that your photograph will get rejected and I would like to share a trick. If you are able to stand your child against a blank background facing your window, you should not have a problem, just be aware of any shadows, take some extra shots and you should be fine. If your home, like mine, does not lend itself to this, then I would like to share a trick that will help you. If your window is to your Childs left, you need something white to reflect the light back into the right. I have a set of reflectors and whilst these are not expensive, you do not need to buy these (ill include a link incase!) anything white will do. Get a second person to hold a white sheet for example on the non lit side of their face. This will bounce the light back into the face and counteract the shadow. Photographs of my willing smallest child below.

Just a quick disclaimer, rules on photographs will change from time to time and for up to date advise, you must always look at the government sites latest information.

Come and share with me how you found this trick and if it worked for you!

Good luck and happy travels – when we get a chance again!!