Mastering Lighting for DIY Passport Photos

You don't need professional studio lights. You just need a window.

The Triangle Method

Stand facing a window. The window should be directly in front of you, not to the side. If it's to the side, one half of your face will be bright, the other dark. This is a "side shadow" rejection.

Overhead Lights (The Racoon Eye Problem)

Turn OFF your ceiling light. Ceiling lights cast shadows in your eye sockets (making you look like a racoon) and under your nose. Use ONLY the natural window light coming from the front.