5 reasons you can’t smile in a passport photograph

Ever wondered why a photographer tells you to keep a straight face while snapping a passport photograph of you? While it may feel odd to look serious in a photo that will represent you for years, these guideline serves a practical and important purpose.

1. Consistency and Clarity in Identification

One of the primary reasons for this no-smile rule is to ensure the photo is a clear and consistent representation of your face. Passport photos are used by governments and border authorities to identify you when travelling internationally, and a smile can distort your facial features. When you smile, your facial muscles change the appearance of key identifying features like your eyes, nose, and mouth. A neutral expression allows for a more accurate and reliable match between the person in the photo and the person presenting the passport.

Read also: 5 tourist centres that say ‘No’ to photography

2. Standardised Rules for Global Use

Passport photos are subject to international guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency under the United Nations. These guidelines ensure that all passport photographs have a universal standard, regardless of the country of origin. They set rules for the image’s size, background, lighting, and even facial expressions.

The “no-smile” requirement is a part of these standardized rules, designed to maintain consistency across all international passports.

Read also: World Photography Day: 10 female African photographers

3. Neutral Expression for Security

While a smile might seem harmless, it can introduce variables that security personnel need to account for. Passport photos are not just for identification—they also play a role in security. A neutral, serious expression is less likely to be interpreted ambiguously. Smiling can obscure features that security officers rely on for identifying a person, such as the shape and positioning of your eyes, nose, and mouth. A neutral expression reduces the possibility of misidentification in high-security situations.

4. Emotional Expression and Cultural Considerations

The “no-smile” guideline also helps avoid cultural misunderstandings. In some cultures, a smile can signify friendliness or politeness, but in others, it might be seen as inappropriate or a sign of insincerity. By requiring a neutral expression, the passport photo avoids these potential cultural nuances and focuses solely on the individual’s physical features, which are universal and less likely to vary in meaning across cultures.

5. Practicality in Document Processing

Another practical reason for the no-smile rule is to make sure the photograph is easy to process and store. Smiling can affect the positioning of your face, such as the alignment of your mouth, and may introduce shadows or distortions in the image that complicate scanning and storage. By keeping your expression neutral, your image will more accurately represent how you look at any given moment, ensuring the passport processing system can store and retrieve the image without any issues.