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How many chances for a good passport photo?

I’m in the process of applying for passports. My Australian passport is soon to expire and I am now eligible for a New Zealand passport so I’m applying for that too. But I hit a bit of a hurdle with the passport photos. The first one I got was dreadful. It was not even clear that it was me in the photo and I could easily have been mistaken for the troll in Ukiss‘ pic:

passport

So I had to go and try again. The second one was better in that it was recognisably me, but oh my god, my hair was a disgrace. I really should have washed it first. And brushed it for that matter. Can I possibly tolerate bird’s nest hair in a passport photograph for the next ten years? No way.

So I went back a third time and finally, I’m happy. I know what you’re thinking: I’m pathetic and vain and you’re absolutely right. But a girl just wants to look her best.

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Rachel M

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Comments

22 responses to “How many chances for a good passport photo?”

  1. northernbike Avatar
    northernbike

    do they even look at the photo nowadays? I thought they just swipe the bar code to see if you’re on some database of undesirables, and messy hair maybe something you need to get used to anyway if you’re moving to Aberdeen as it’s a fair old wind that comes off the North Sea up there…

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      It’s more for my benefit than for the person at immigration and they do look at the photo.

      Yes, I’ve felt the wind off the North Sea. I think I can handle wind swept hair.

      Reply
  2. grahamatlinc Avatar
    grahamatlinc

    It’s alright, you’re just being human. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      Phew. That’s a relief 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kit Carruthers Avatar
    Kit Carruthers

    I think we need to see all the photos to judge for ourselves 😉

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      Lol. Not a chance!

      Reply
  4. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    You always come out beautiful in photos!

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      That’s not true. I just don’t post the ugly ones.

      Reply
      1. Denise Avatar
        Denise

        Shame passport photos have to be so specific and not just a crop of a good picture. We all look terrible in ours – it’s the not smiling thing, completely changes the shape of someone’s face.

      2. Rachel Avatar
        Rachel

        I agree. It sucks that you can’t smile.

  5. Susie Meredith Avatar
    Susie Meredith

    I agree about the ‘not smiling thing’. I was also told to remove my glasses and push all my hair off my face. It’s a very ugly photo. And yes, they do look at the photos but does it matter? When Annabel and I went through customs at Bangkok airport, we were processed at the same time but by two different custom’s officers. Both stared at our photos and at us and we were both cleared. As we walked away, Annabel handed me ‘her’ passport for safekeeping and then I realised she had mine and I had hers! We had a good laugh – Annabel is blonde, beautiful and 37 years younger! Maybe they think we all look the same.

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      That’s amazing, Susie! Although I have to say that you look gorgeous too and you do both look similar, but still, that is so funny.

      Reply
  6. Bronwyn Avatar
    Bronwyn

    Vanity rules for me when it comes to passport and licence photos. If I’d been you, I would definitely have washed my hair and made it look as sensational as humanly possible. Crazy really. I half suspect you’re exaggerating when you say you looked like the troll. For a start, he has no hair. 🙂 Am I being mean?

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      Ok, I might have exaggerated a little. But only a little 🙂

      Reply
  7. Max Avatar
    Max

    Was that photo in your blog one of your first passport pics that you discarded?

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      Yes.

      Reply
      1. Bronwyn Avatar
        Bronwyn

        Methinks you are telling a porkie. Just saying…. 🙂

  8. Sherri Avatar
    Sherri

    Passport photo, driving license photo, both awful. I’m embarrassed for anyone to look at them. I can’t wait until I get to renew my passport photo in 2 years’ time – how vain is that? I’m totally with you on this one Rachel 😉

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      I don’t like my driving licence photo either. Hopefully I’ll get a new one soon, a British one 🙂

      Reply
      1. Sherri Avatar
        Sherri

        🙂

  9. belsbror Avatar
    belsbror

    A good photo in a passport is like winning the lottery, I think. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      Unless you give yourself lots of tries to get it right 😉

      Reply

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