A strong document photo starts with a clean original image, the exact application profile, and the current instructions from the issuing authority.
Prepare the background before placing the baby
Use the plain background required by the selected passport guide and check it for folds, texture, color casts, and strong shadows.
Keep the camera directly above and level
Center the lens over the baby without tilting it sharply. Leave room around the entire head and shoulders so the final crop does not cut into hair or clothing.
Use bright, diffused light
Face the setup toward a large window or another soft light source. Avoid direct sun, a single harsh lamp, and overhead fixtures that create uneven facial shadows.
Keep every helper out of the frame
Hands, arms, toys, pacifiers, supports, and other people should not appear in the submitted image. Take several frames and choose the clearest natural result.
Check the infant rules in the current application
Authorities may apply age-specific allowances, but those allowances are defined by the current issuing authority. Do not assume the adult expression or eye-position rule applies in exactly the same way.