Avoid common problems
Why Finnish passport photos are rejected
Police highlights incorrect lighting and optical distortion from too short a camera distance as common problems in non-professional photographs. Other causes include blur, incorrect pose or expression, covered facial features, uneven background and wrong file dimensions or size.
Check your photo freeFix the capture
- Move the camera farther away and use modest optical zoom if needed.
- Use soft frontal light and leave distance from the wall.
- Keep the camera level with the eyes and face.
Do not repair the face later
Background removal, skin smoothing, eye changes or generative correction can undermine authenticity. Take a new source image instead.
Frequently asked questions
What are common reasons a passport photo is rejected?
Common reasons include incorrect lighting, distortion caused by taking the photo from too close, blur, incorrect head position or expression, covered facial features and an uneven background. Incorrect file size or pixel dimensions can also cause rejection.
How can I fix the lighting and background in a passport photo?
Use soft light from the front and leave space between yourself and the background. Incorrect lighting and an uneven background are reasons to take a new source photo.
Why can taking a passport photo from too close distort the face?
Too short a camera distance can cause optical distortion. Move the camera farther away and use modest optical zoom if needed. Keep the camera level with the eyes and face.
Can a passport photo be rejected because of its file size or pixel dimensions?
Yes. Incorrect file size or pixel dimensions can cause rejection. Sharpness, head position, expression, lighting and background must also be right.
Can I edit the face in a passport photo afterwards?
Do not edit the face afterwards. Skin smoothing, changing the eyes, removing the background or other generative corrections can undermine the photo's authenticity. The safer choice is to take a new source photo.