How to Take an ID Photo at Home with Your Phone

Updated September 18, 2026

You don’t need a studio for a good ID picture. With a phone, a window and a helper, you can take one at home, then use White ID Photo to make the background plain white.

What you need

• A phone with a decent camera. The rear camera is better than the selfie camera.
• A window with daylight, or a bright, even light source.
• Someone to take the photo for you.
• A plain wall behind you (optional, but it gives the cleanest edges).

Step 1: Get soft, even light on your face

Stand facing a window during the day so the light falls evenly on your face. Avoid light from directly above, which casts shadows under your eyes, and don’t stand with a window or lamp behind you. Turn off the flash, because it causes shine and hard shadows.

Step 2: Choose your spot

A plain, light-colored wall works best, but White ID Photo can replace any background with white. Stand about half a meter to a meter away from the wall so your shadow doesn’t fall on it and your hair stands out clearly from the background.

Step 3: Position the camera

• Have your helper hold the phone at your eye level, straight on and not tilted.
• Keep the phone about 1–1.5 meters away and zoom in slightly (2× if your phone has it). Taking the photo from very close, like a selfie, distorts your face.
• Frame from the top of your chest to a little above your head. You’ll crop it later.

Step 4: Pose

• Face the camera straight on, with your shoulders level and squared.
• Keep a neutral expression, with both eyes open and your mouth closed.
• Keep hair away from your eyes and face. Many ID rules also want your ears visible.
• Take off your glasses. Most passport and visa rules don’t allow them.

Step 5: Wear something that contrasts with white

Since the background will be white, avoid white or very light tops, which can blend into it. A darker, solid-colored top with a collar or neat neckline works well. Avoid busy patterns.

Step 6: Take several shots

Take 5–10 photos and pick the sharpest one with even lighting and a natural, neutral look. Check it at full size for blur.

Step 7: Make the background white, then crop and print

1. Open White ID Photo and upload your best shot. The background becomes white in a few seconds, right in your browser.
2. Under Output size, keep Original or choose 1×1, 2×2 or passport size (35×45 mm). The tool crops around your head and saves the photo at 300 DPI. See ID photo sizes and 2×2 photo requirements.
3. Download it as JPG (for printing or uploading) or PNG.
4. Print it on photo paper, or send the file to a photo printing shop.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Shadows on the face or behind the head
• A tilted head or a camera held above or below eye level
• A selfie taken at arm’s length, which distorts the face
• Light-colored clothes that blend into the white background
• A blurry or low-resolution photo
• Filters or beauty retouching, which official photos don’t allow