So, what do you need to know about taking baby and children passport photos?

- The head and shoulders of your baby/child should be on a plain background. For very young babies it is possible to support the baby’s head but it is not acceptable to have adult hands showing in the photographs. The best solution is to lay your baby on the floor on a plain, light coloured blanket or sheet.

- Your child/baby’s head should be in the middle of the picture.

For children aged less than one year old, the requirements for mouths to be closed and eyes looking at the camera are waived. However, for those over one these requirements are very important, so ensure your toddler or child understands this.

- The camera should be approximately 1.5 metres (5ft) away from the baby.

Make sure that light on the face is even to avoid any shadows; you can achieve this by directing light from the front, rather than behind or to the side of the baby.

Wouldn’t it be easier to get a professional photographer?

Taking baby’s first passport photo may seem like a tricky task, but in reality it’s easier than you think to get the right photo at home with just a normal digital camera. Your baby or child will be more comfortable and calm in their home environment, and you can take as much time as you need to get the right shot. You don’t need any complex lighting equipment - in fact natural light is often best for taking passport photos – and you can simply use plain walls or doors as the backdrop to your shots.

Got the perfect photo? Upload it to Paspic now to check whether it’s suitable for the passport office and to have prints delivered to you within 2 working days.