I’m obsessed with make-up tutorials right now, because this happened! My passport photo or the Creature from the Black Lagoon!
Ok, scroll past it already! I was so embarrassed by this photo, I couldn’t even ask the photographer to re-take it! My loving husband re-assures me that I don’t look anything like it, but it is LITERALLY my picture!
So a week later, after I had time to prepare, I had this photo taken. Better, right? Short of going on a crash diet and getting a face lift, here’s what I did.
How to Take Your Best Passport Photo
- Get enough sleep. To avoid that puffy-red-eyed exhausted look, try not having to fake it.
- Do your makeup. Oh, how naive I was to believe in natural beauty. Those Dove ads lied to me. Ok, yes you’re a natural beauty, but go ahead an enhance that beauty with a tad of make-up. By the way, I;m in love with Jaclyn Hill‘s makeup tutorials.
- Pose! The official Passport Canada instructions require a neutral face, but not a relaxed zombie face! Smize (thanks Tyra!) and work that jaw (thanks Peter Hurley!). I’m a natural frowner, so I gave just a hint of a smile to turn the corners of my mouth straight. That gave me a (positive) neutral face.
- Wear your hair down. Ok, this doesn’t apply to me, but if your hair stylist gave you a great cut to flatter your face, then show off that work of art.
- Wear a flattering and not distracting shirt- ie: black v-neck.
- Choose the right photographer. The reject photo was taken at London Drugs on a Saturday morning, when the cashier was juggling passport photos and print pickups. The good photo was taken at Black’s on a weekday evening when the entire mall was empty. The photographer was glad anyone came into his shop.
- Take your time. Just relax (while posing!) and don’t be afraid to ask for a re-take.
Enjoy your world travels! This photo is going to last me the next 10 years!
