What to wear for a passport photo: rules and practical tips

Need an official photo of your baby for a Kids-ID, passport, residence card or visa? We take our time, work at your little one’s pace and make sure the photo meets the requirements for the document.

Baby passport photos take a little extra patience

Babies move, do not always look straight at the camera and may not yet be able to hold their head steady on their own. That is completely normal. It is why a baby passport photo session is different from a standard one.

At Jaweed Studio, we take photos in short bursts. We wait for a calm moment and take several shots without putting your baby under unnecessary pressure. Afterwards, we carefully check the background, lighting, cropping and visibility of the face.

Good to know: if your baby becomes unsettled, we simply take a short break. A cuddle, a feed or a quick nappy change is often all it takes before we can continue.

From Kids-ID to passports and visas

We take passport photos for both Belgian and international documents. When booking, tell us what you need the photo for. For a foreign document, please also specify the country or embassy.

Kids-ID

A recent, correctly prepared baby passport photo for a Kids-ID application in Belgium.

Passport or residence card

Photos in the required format for a Belgian or foreign passport, eID or residence document.

Visas and embassies

Passport photos that follow the specific dimensions and requirements of your destination country.

Key requirements for children’s passport photos

Do not worry: you do not need to know these rules by heart. During your appointment, we check each technical requirement step by step.

A child’s passport photo must be recent, show a true likeness and meet the technical requirements. Your child must be photographed from the front, with their face clearly visible against a light, plain background. We also check for correct cropping, even lighting and a sharp image without distracting shadows or reflections.

Some rules are slightly more flexible for babies and young children. For example, babies under one year old do not always need a completely neutral expression, to look straight at the camera or to keep their mouth fully closed. For children under six, there is also some flexibility in the position of the head and shoulders. We take our time to capture a suitable photo within these guidelines.

Good to know: the municipality, embassy or issuing authority ultimately decides whether a photo is accepted. Foreign documents may have different size or other requirements, so please feel free to bring these with you.

More information: official quality requirements for Belgian passport photos.

• The photo must be recent and no more than 6 months old.

• The standard size for Belgian documents is 35 × 45 mm.

• The photo must be in colour, sharp, clear and natural-looking.

• The background must be light, plain and free from visible shadows.

• The face must be shown from the front, clearly recognisable and fully visible.

• The eyes should be as open and clearly visible as possible.

• Older children should have a neutral expression and a closed mouth.

• No dummy, toys, visible hands or other people may appear in the photo.

• Hair, hats and wide headbands must not cover the face.

• Any support provided by a parent must remain completely out of the final photo.

How to prepare your baby for a relaxed session

There is no need to practise at home. A few simple choices can help us find the right moment for a photo more quickly.

Choose a calm, awake moment

If possible, book the appointment for a time when your baby is usually relaxed and awake.

Feed and change your baby beforehand

A fed baby with a clean nappy often feels more comfortable. Feel free to bring feeds and nappies with you.

Choose simple, plain clothing

Avoid large prints, hoods and very light clothing that offers little contrast with the background.

Bring a spare outfit

If there is a small stain or accident, you will not need to go home, and we can carry on with the session without any fuss.

Keep the face and ears uncovered

Make sure the face and ears stay as visible as possible. Remove hats, wide headbands, toys and dummies for the final photo.

Bring any foreign document requirements

A printout or clear screenshot of the embassy’s requirements helps us provide the correct format.

What if your baby starts crying?

No problem. We take a short break and try again once your little one feels more comfortable.

What should you wear for a passport photo?

Find out which clothes look simple and tidy in a passport photo, and why hoods and busy patterns are best avoided.

Three simple steps

No lengthy photo session or complicated preparation: we keep things straightforward and follow your baby’s pace.

We check the document requirements

Tell us which document and country the photo is for, so we know which dimensions and requirements apply.

We take photos in short bursts

We provide support where needed, wait for a calm expression and take several photos without forcing anything.

We check and deliver your photos

After the technical checks, you receive 8 printed passport photos and the digital file.

Why parents choose our studio

A patient, friendly approach

We take as much time as needed and do not expect a baby to sit still on command.

Professional lighting

We focus on a clearly lit face, a plain background and as few distracting shadows as possible.

Belgian and international formats

From Kids-ID and passport photos to visa applications requiring different dimensions.

Printed and digital photos

You receive 8 printed passport photos as well as a digital file for online or additional applications.

Gentle guidance, professional photos

Explore our full baby passport photo service, what is included and how we plan the appointment around your little one’s routine.

• For Kids-ID, passports, residence cards and visas

• Gentle guidance at your baby’s pace

• Printed passport photos and a digital file

A relaxed appointment at our studio

You will find Jaweed Studio at Charles de Kerchovelaan 193, 9000 Gent. All baby and children’s passport photos are taken strictly by appointment. Please always book before visiting so we can set aside a quiet slot and enough time for your little one.

Anything else you would like to know?

Yes. We also take official passport photos of newborn babies. We work in short bursts and allow extra time whenever needed.

The face and eyes should be as clearly visible as possible. The assessment rules may be applied a little more flexibly for very young babies, but the relevant authority ultimately decides whether a photo is accepted.

A calm, neutral expression is preferred. A broad smile or an open mouth may lead to rejection. Limited flexibility is sometimes allowed for very young babies.

Yes, if needed. We position any support so that hands, arms and other people are not visible in the final photo.

Dummies and toys must not appear in the photo. It is also best to remove hats and wide headbands for the official photo so that the face and shape of the head remain clearly visible.

Yes. We take baby passport photos for Kids-ID, passports, eID, residence cards and various visa applications. Please specify which document you need when booking.

We simply take a short break. You can feed, change or comfort your baby. Advance booking is required; ideally, choose a time when your little one is usually awake and calm.

Yes. Our baby passport photo service includes the digital file alongside your printed passport photos. See the full service details for the latest inclusions and options.

Yes. All baby and children’s passport photos are taken strictly by appointment. Always book before visiting; we cannot accommodate you without a confirmed appointment. This allows us to set aside a quiet slot and enough time for your little one.

Need a baby passport photo in Ghent?

Book a relaxed appointment at Jaweed Studio. We offer friendly guidance for you and your baby and provide a professional photo for the document you need.