Taking the perfect passport photo for your customer is now easier than ever, thanks to CFS’ Passport Photo Systems.  We ensure the camera and printer settings are optimized by our techs to create the best environment possible.  When operating our simple-to-use systems, It is important to consider the location at which photos are taken to maximize their success.

Photography is considered the art of painting with light.  With that considered, we need to be thoughtful and intentional about the light we use when taking passport photos. As counterintuitive as it sounds, areas with less lighting are recommended to achieve the perfect lighting for your passport photos. We recommend a dimly lit space, away from the interference of outside lighting sources that can counteract the effectiveness of the camera’s automatic settings.

Incorrect Color: Shades of Yellow

Light is color, and different light sources have different tones that will show up in your photos. If your photos are coming out yellow or even sometimes purple, this is most likely due to an outside light source. The camera is adjusted to the color of the flash. If sunlight enters the scene, it will cause the whole photo to become yellow.

Incorrect Exposure: Too Dark, Too Light, Weird Shadows

The camera flash can fill the scene with soft, even light, giving optimal exposure for an ID photo. Outside light is often harsh and uneven in the photo, causing either the person or the backdrop to become over or underexposed. By limiting these lighting interferences, we can even out the lighting in the picture, which results in a clear passport ID photo.

Here is a handy guide that we created to help you find your ideal location for the perfect backdrop location (click on the image to open a downloadable PDF in a new tab):