Almost no one loves their passport photo. The lighting is rarely flattering, the rules feel strict, and the whole thing often happens in a rush. Then comes the familiar moment when someone behind the counter reminds you not to smile, and you end up with an expression that looks more like a mugshot than a holiday snapshot. It can feel pointless, especially when you know you look friendlier with a grin.
The simple reason comes down to security and technology. While many people assume smiling is completely forbidden, the guidance is usually more specific than that. The US State Department, for example, calls for a neutral expression with both eyes open and the mouth closed, with your head facing the camera. A slight smile can be acceptable as long as it stays subtle and your lips remain together, but showing teeth is where problems start.
Karolina Turowska, a biometrics photography specialist at Passport-Photo.Online, explains that the biggest issue is facial recognition software used at airports and border crossings. These systems scan travel documents and compare the passport photo to your face in real time. Humans can recognize you whether you are laughing or serious, but algorithms do not work the same way. They rely on measuring stable facial landmarks, including distances and proportions around the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.
A wide smile changes those proportions more than people realize. The corners of the mouth lift, cheeks rise, and the shape of the lips and eye area can shift, which makes matching harder for automated systems. Travel expert Katy Nastro has also warned that because so many checkpoints now use facial recognition, it helps when key facial points stay as consistent as possible. In short, the less your expression distorts your features, the smoother the verification tends to be.
Turowska notes that this is common across many countries, even though definitions of a neutral expression can vary depending on what software is used. France is often cited as stricter, with even mild smiles potentially rejected. International standards also play a role, as the International Civil Aviation Organization sets global guidelines for travel documents, and these were notably updated in 2004 to reflect technological change. Nastro points out that while faces have always been central to identification, neutral expressions remain the most reliable choice for machines.
It was not always like this. Madison Blancaflor from The Points Guy has described how early passport photos from the 1920s and beyond could be surprisingly informal, with odd props, hats, and poses that would never pass today. Now, incorrect photos are a major cause of passport delays, and Blancaflor warns that applications can be held up or even refused if you do not provide a compliant replacement in time. Rules can also cover glasses, head coverings, and other facial movements like pursed lips or a deep frown, although children often get more leeway if they are looking at the camera with open eyes.
Have you ever had a passport photo rejected, or do you have tricks for getting a decent one without breaking the rules? Share your experience in the comments.
