Who likes their passport photo? Who likes their facial recognition photo? Im guessing no one likes their passport photo or the facial recognition photo that stares at you in the airport departure line. You are in synch with 9 out of 10 people who also did not like their passport photos. Worse they deemed themselves un-photogenic.
TSA officers use biometric cameras to assist with identity verification. Your photo and personal data are deleted after your identity is verified. Images are not used for law enforcement, surveillance and not shared with other entities. Tell the officer if you do not want your photo taken. You will not lose your place in line. The photo is optional. Note: some states and cities have banned facial recognition especially for use by police.
Some countries like India where we go in October 2025, use facial recognition for international visitors. The new ETIAS in effect for US citizens later in 2025 will include facial recognition, with the photo taken when you enter the EU or Schengen area.
Most of us learned about facial recognition with the app that opens your phone, or a page instead of a password? If you see the little icon like the one below: you have facial recognition on your phone. If you wish more technical information on using your phone instead of a biometric camera, look here for iphones and look here for Android.
Passport photos have limitations: no smiling, no cool fashion glasses, absolutely no photo editing. Passport photos are usually taken in public, as in a drug store or Staples. Having people watch one being photographed is uncomfortable. Moreover many of us are afraid to ask the photographer for a redo. A key recommendation is to get your photo done when you are in a good mood or at least not a dark mood. If you are self conscious or in a bad mood, it will show in your passport photo.
In most passport photo studios/drugstores etc. lighting is poor, and the background, white or off white doesn’t suit everyone. Experts suggest that facial recognition system is not accurate in identifying individuals with darker skin, with women, and with nonbinary individuals. Plastic surgery can make images unrecognizable. Even fillers and face scraping can change your face. This face alteration problem with passport photos, is something a patient should discuss with their surgeon; it is a new field so make sure you hear the right advice. Bandages on your face? Bring the necessary medical letter signed by your doctor.
Problems with passport photos are rare but they exist. You cannot wear a hat or head covering. If you are wearing a hat or scarf for religious or medical reasons, TSA will want a signed statement or signed doctor’s letter. Same with hearing aids, you might need a doctor’s letter. Even with signed statements, your full face has to be visible. Read the State Department information for details.
Restrictions include wearing a uniform (don’t), any covering that casts a shadow on your face, no big jewelry or hair in your face. Avoid false or extended eyelashes, bright and shiny eyeshadow, very strong lipstick: red, orange, or black, strong self tanner, transferable face stickers, very bright eyeliner, facial rhinestones. Crazy hair might not be ok, again if it shades or covers you face. Hair must stay within the boundaries of the photo: so very tall hair or very long hair might not fit the exact dimensions for a passport photo.
Image recognition has its own mechanical issues. Take Clear, which offers iris recognition in many airports. The cost is steep: $199 or Clear comes with your upmarket credit card for $600+. My husband squints in the Clear security machine. Clear has difficulty identifying him so I assume it has difficulty with other iris’s.
Thank Goodness, normal cosmetics are ok. Relax about lipstick, blush, eye liner, foundation. Although when you look into the airline machine at the gate, cosmetics will not help— you are probably tired and will look it. I will finish with a friend’s anecdote; she and her husband walked easily through security in an overseas airport. Once they boarded the plane, they realized each was holding the other’s passport. Her husband’s passport which she had showed a man with a beard; she was allowed through anyway.
Please note we help whenever a photo is needed for a visa or any other travel situation.
Call us at 646 309 5607 or email us for information on India or any other 2025 trip for women.
