Poxy passport photos!

[Sonic]

Grrrrrr. Try telling a five year old not to smile for a photograph.

[GridGirl]

I last renewed my passport just after they had banned you from smiling on the photo but they still accepted my picture with my big toothy grin. My passport needs renewing in about 18 months time so I will no doubt look like a depressive axe murder like everyone else.

My 4 and a half year old neice no longer smiles for photographs. She kind of just scrunches her face up or pulls a surprised look akin to the smile of Wallace from Wallace and Gromit. You should be thankful that your son still smiles.

[Sonic]

Hehehe! He went through a faze of gurning for photographs but fortunately we are back to smiles now.

As you say, even my boy - who's a handsome lad if I don't say so myself - looks like a homicidal maniac in his new photos.

[steveaki13]

I know someone who sent their passport photos back about 4 times before they eecepted them.

The first photo he was smiling, then his hair covered his eyes, then he was sat too low in the chair and finally they said the T-Shirt he was wearing was to pale.

Simple taking a photo in a machine.

[Mark]

I can understand the issue with kids, must be a nightmare. But for everyone else, does it really matter? Who's going to look at it? We do seem to have this obsession that you have to put your best side all the time, even on an official document such as this.

As for kids, I guess it's easier these days when the machines let you take as many photos as you like before you are happy with one, not like back in the day where you got one go and that was your lot!

[Sonic]

No need for machines fortunately. Places like snappy snaps and timpsons (other retailers are available) will take as many photos as you need and confirm the legality.

It's just frustrating that if your child is 4 years and 364 days old they are allowed to smile, but a day older and suddenly they apparently understand its not allowed!

[rjbetty]

Hehe, I got some shockers I never used. I'll try to upload them sometime.

- non-smiling, slightly sideways, homicidal kitchen knife guy - not too bad! (2004)
- dazed, surprised, and glowing white face + crazy hair (2005)
- decent, cool bad-boy looking one (shock!)(Used on drivers lic. and p.port) (2007)
- Grumpy, blooming ticked off axe to grind... (overdoing the not smiling!) (2009)
(this one was used for a work pass who's company logo is "guaranteed to smile"!!!!)
- Sooooooo uber gay. Oooooooooo behave! (Must NEVER be seen) (2009)

[Caroline]

My passport photo is the worst ever - after having to sprint from the passport office in Liverpool to the nearest photographic shop and get a new one done, as I was smiling (grimacing?) in the pic. After the photo there was a mad dash to get back before the office closed. Never again. Problem was the first pics had been done in a Max Spielmann store which specialises in passport photos.