Last week at the post office, I saw parents struggling to get a passport photo for their 2-year-old. The child was having a tantrum, and the parents were embarrassed. I understood their frustration because I faced the same situation four years ago.
I know there is a better way. Today, I’m sharing how we managed to get a usable passport photo for our uncooperative toddler, hoping it helps others. This method worked for us. When we decided to move back to Australia, our son Buddy was just 2. We needed passport photos quickly, but Buddy wouldn’t cooperate. He’s a friendly kid, but he gets very upset when a camera is pointed directly at him. Our attempts at the photo booth resulted in screaming, crying, and tears—for both of us. Finally, I remembered I had a camera and devised a DIY home method. Here’s how we did it: 1. Buy a roll of large-format printer paper or a large white card (A2 size works). Drape the paper over a chair or tape the card to it. 2. Position your child in front of a window, facing a screen like a TV or tablet, with the backdrop behind them. Ensure no shadow falls on the backdrop to avoid photo rejection. 3. Play a movie they love, or a new one to captivate them. For us, it was Finding Nemo. We also offered a small snack, a lens cap, and crayons with paper on the floor. 4. Sit near the screen and occasionally make a distracting noise to get them to look at you briefly. Then take many photos quickly. 5. Take the image file to a print shop and have it cropped to your country’s required passport photo size. It might seem like effort, but it was worth it. In one afternoon, we got a suitable photo without any tears. Many people have complimented his passport photo, and I’m glad we succeeded. If you need a passport photo for a shy toddler, try this method. It might work for you too and save you from a stressful photo session.
