Passport photo issues

[starregazer 6]

I have so far obtained 3 (almost 4) sets of passport photos. I am so worried about there being an issue with them that I was trying to get it perfect and it seems no matter where I go, there's an issue.

1st try, Walmart, picture itself is perfect but they print the photo on satin paper (which is kinda in between glossy and matte) - I-129F instructions say it must be glossy which I find out after I get these taken.

2nd try, AAA, I had to pay before they took the picture, not realizing they take it in front of a gray wall and their passport photo cutter leaves round corners.

3rd try, Walgreens, their camera and/or lighting is so bad the white background is bluish, so the girl adjusts the color and prints out photos in which my skin is unnaturally yellow. Unacceptable, I did not take these pictures.

4th try, UPS store. The picture taken is fine but when the guy cuts them, he leaves a white bar on the side of each photo, cutting this off would make the photo less than 2x2. I question it and he states that is how they always cut them there and they never have problems.

I am so frustrated! I now have 3 different sets of photos and I'm not sure I can really use any of them.

I'm attaching example of all 3. I just don't know what to do. Does anyone think any of these will be acceptable? Can I send more than one to be safe?

[TedA 3]

I had a problem with walgreens. Go to the post office they can do passport photos and they do it right.

[Chalandrae 32]

I would say try the post office too. My pictures were done at walgreens and I will be surprised if I don't get a RFE.

[WandY 430]

The photos from Wal-Mart are acceptable. The main issue with photos is sizing/proper placement. Wal-Mart takes thousands of these each day. Few people know the difference between photo papers. They are OK.

Edited March 22, 2016 by WandY

[starregazer 6]

The reason I haven't hit up the post office for them is because they are closed by the time I get out of work, that's why I went with these places, they were open when I could get there.

[phd1974 17]

I used Walgreens and the photos turned out fine for me .... TRY another Walgreens

[beccajayne93 17]

You've been very unlucky with these! I'm sorry

If it's the cost that's worrying you (passport photos ARE ridiculously overpriced!) my suggestion would be to scan the Walmart ones and set them both up in a 4x6 photo size and print it off at Target for like 20c, and then just cut them out. I did this for my AOS application because I'd already spent $30+ on passport photos beginning with K-1. I even took the photos myself and they were fine.

I'm pretty DIY like that and don't mind taking some extra time to save a few bucks . If it's the hassle that's bothering you (because that is a LOT of hassle!) then I would do what others have suggested and find an alternative place to get them done, where they will be cut with sharp edges, no white borders and on glossy print!

[MarkerOne 10]

Glossy or mattes are both acceptable. I had my passport photos taken at walmrat for my passport three months ago and I had no problem with them. I am sure walmart would not be printing passport photos if they are not acceptable by the government.

[starregazer 6]

  On 3/22/2016 at 1:33 AM, aayoub1 said:

Glossy or mattes are both acceptable. I had my passport photos taken at walmrat for my passport three months ago and I had no problem with them. I am sure walmart would not be printing passport photos if they are not acceptable by the government.

Yes, the passport requirements state glossy or matte, but the instructions for the I-129F (located here https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf)specifically state glossy only. That is why I was unsure about submitting the walmart photos as it is conflicting information. I don't want to get an RFE.

[starregazer 6]

  On 3/22/2016 at 12:47 AM, beccajayne93 said:

You've been very unlucky with these! I'm sorry

If it's the cost that's worrying you (passport photos ARE ridiculously overpriced!) my suggestion would be to scan the Walmart ones and set them both up in a 4x6 photo size and print it off at Target for like 20c, and then just cut them out. I did this for my AOS application because I'd already spent $30+ on passport photos beginning with K-1. I even took the photos myself and they were fine.

I'm pretty DIY like that and don't mind taking some extra time to save a few bucks . If it's the hassle that's bothering you (because that is a LOT of hassle!) then I would do what others have suggested and find an alternative place to get them done, where they will be cut with sharp edges, no white borders and on glossy print!

I have been unlucky! I was hoping to get my application out last week, my passport photo is the only thing holding me up. It's so frustrating!

Cost at this point isn't an issue, my fiancee said he'd pay for it if I was short, I'm already up to almost $30 spent on just mine. His are fine. (he had his taken by a photographer in Austria and they just sent me his image via email and I printed it out on 4x6 paper at walgreens)

I thought of taking the photos myself, but was worried about proper lighting. I'm just running out of alternative places to try! I may call the post office and see if there would be time for me to get my picture taken right before work, but they are done by appointment only, they might not have anything available.

  On 3/22/2016 at 12:35 AM, WandY said:

The photos from Wal-Mart are acceptable. The main issue with photos is sizing/proper placement. Wal-Mart takes thousands of these each day. Few people know the difference between photo papers. They are OK.

I was just worried since it wasn't specifically glossy like the instructions said. The size and placement seems to be fine otherwise.

[MarkerOne 10]

Well, if you have to re-do them and if you have Costco anywhere near you, they charger $4.99 for 4 of them.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Another place that sometimes does passport photos is the title bureau. Maybe try them if there is one close enough to you?

[tomyka81 95]

Walgreen's works for me. My face is washed out too about ten shades lighter but it hasn't affected anything

[Penny Pincher 11]

I used the Post Office service for photo requirement.

[almost_umrican 54]

  On 3/22/2016 at 12:16 AM, starregazer said:

I have so far obtained 3 (almost 4) sets of passport photos. I am so worried about there being an issue with them that I was trying to get it perfect and it seems no matter where I go, there's an issue.

1st try, Walmart, picture itself is perfect but they print the photo on satin paper (which is kinda in between glossy and matte) - I-129F instructions say it must be glossy which I find out after I get these taken.

2nd try, AAA, I had to pay before they took the picture, not realizing they take it in front of a gray wall and their passport photo cutter leaves round corners.

3rd try, Walgreens, their camera and/or lighting is so bad the white background is bluish, so the girl adjusts the color and prints out photos in which my skin is unnaturally yellow. Unacceptable, I did not take these pictures.

4th try, UPS store. The picture taken is fine but when the guy cuts them, he leaves a white bar on the side of each photo, cutting this off would make the photo less than 2x2. I question it and he states that is how they always cut them there and they never have problems.

I am so frustrated! I now have 3 different sets of photos and I'm not sure I can really use any of them.

I'm attaching example of all 3. I just don't know what to do. Does anyone think any of these will be acceptable? Can I send more than one to be safe?

Hi there, please have your picture taken by a friend with your smart phone (if any). there are multiple applications available on both apple and android then have them printed from anywhere on a photo quality paper. Also, the pics you have are actually fine and moreover walgreens, walmart and even the post offices uses substandard cameras and unprofessional people to have this done and 2 for $10 is exuberant amount anyways. i have tried it myself twice and and never paid them for the pics and have it done by myself. it was cheaper, better and you can get more pictures.