Navigating the process of acquiring passport photos can often be more tedious than anticipated. For many, a trip to their local CVS pharmacy’s photo center has emerged as a common solution. But how do you know about it? And how much do you have to pay for it? This guide will unpack everything you need to know about CVS passport photos and try to offer you a more convenient and economical option. Now, dive in to get prepared for 100% compliant passport photos!
Where to Take CVS Passport Photos?
CVS, the well-known pharmacy chain has more than 9,500 stores across the United States. However, you cannot just pop into any of them to get your passport photo taken, as only CVS stores that have an in-store Photo Center can provide such services. It’s crucial to be aware of this distinction to avoid a potentially wasted trip.
Therefore, before heading out, you’d better check the store locator feature on CVS’s website. Fill in your zip code, and you will get a list of nearby stores with their phone numbers. You can ascertain whether they provide passport photo services by a quick call.
CVS Passport Photo Costs
CVS offers passport photo services at a cost of $16.99, making it convenient for individuals of all ages, including adults, children, and infants. This fixed price ensures affordability and consistency for customers seeking passport photos. Moreover, customers have the option to purchase two additional photos for a nominal fee of $2.99, providing extra copies for their records or any additional documentation needs. With a straightforward pricing structure and the convenience of obtaining passport photos at various CVS locations, individuals can efficiently meet their passport application requirements without breaking the bank.
What Types of Photo Can I Take in CVS?
At CVS, the photo services extend beyond the realm of mere passport pictures. The versatile ID photos taken here are suitable for an array of purposes, catering to diverse needs. Whether you’re gearing up for international travel and need passport or visa photos, or you’re updating your professional identity with work IDs, CVS has got you covered. Moreover, these high-quality photos can serve for a multitude of other identification cards, ensuring that the convenience of CVS photo services transcends the boundaries of specific document requirements. So, whether it’s for official documentation or personal identification, CVS offers a one-stop solution for various types of ID photos.
How to Take CVS Passport Photos?
After identifying a CVS branch with a Photo Center, you can directly have your passport photo taken there. But to ensure a smooth process, you need to follow several steps:
Step 1: Phone ahead. As mentioned, not all CVS stores can offer passport photo services. You need to call to select an appropriate store. By doing so, you are also able to reckon the waiting time.
Step 2: Travel instore. Once you’ve confirmed the suitable CVS branch, you can head over to its Photo Center. Easily locate the store by CVS Store Locator. When taking the photo, make sure you are presenting yourself as required:
- Facial Expressions and Cosmetics
You should keep a natural face for passport photos. Look straight at the camera without smiling or frowning, and avoid heavy makeup that would obscure your facial features.
- Dress Code and Accessories
Steer away from light-colored or black clothes for they will have a strong contrast with the background. Refrain from overly ornate clothes as well. You are allowed to wear religious head coverings(unless for religious reasons) and jewelry without them blocking your face.
📖 Read Also: Passport Photo Requirements for Americans
Step 3: Wait for printing. After the photo is taken, you will need to wait for 5 and 10 minutes. The staff will ensure that the photo meets the official guidelines before printing, or there will be a retake.
Step 4: Payment and collection. Once your photos are ready, you shall pay the service fee—$16.99 for two photos. Then you can collect your photos and go.
Is It Possible to Take Passport Photos at Home?
Taking passport photos at CVS is absolutely an easy and the most common option. But is there any other more economical and convenient way, or to say, is it possible to DIY passport photos at home, quick and efficient?
Of course. At the end of the day, you are in an era of AI-powered online passport photo generators. Here’s a side-by-side comparison between CVS and online passport photo tools:
- Location Flexibility
CVS: Requires a visit to a physical store.
Online passport photo generators: Revolutionizes the experience by allowing you to take passport photos from the comfort of your home, thereby eliminating the need for in-person visits.
- Cost-Effectiveness
CVS: As of the last update, a pair of photos at CVS costs $16.99.
Online passport photo generators: Not only does this service offer a more competitive price, but when you factor in indirect costs like travel and time, the savings are significantly higher.
- Presenting Your Beauty
CVS: Often, CVS staff are more focused on quickly capturing an image than ensuring you look your best.
Online passport photo generators: Empowers users to capture their own photos, granting them control over their appearance, ensuring they unlock and reflect their true beauty.
- Immediate Availability
CVS: After taking the photo, there’s typically a waiting period for printing.
Online passport photo generators: As soon as your photo is taken and processed through the app, it’s immediately available. No wait times, no queues.
- Format Options
CVS: Provides you with a printed copy, which can be limiting if you need a digital version.
Online passport photo generators: Offers the best of both worlds. Not only can you get a printed copy, but you also receive a digital backup. This dual format is especially useful for online visa or passport applications.
- Compliance and Quality Assurance
CVS: While CVS generally adheres to US passport photo guidelines, errors can happen.
Online passport photo generators: Uses real-time AI checks, ensuring 100% compliance. This AI intervention minimizes the chance of human error and ensures the photo meets stringent guidelines, giving you peace of mind.
- International Passport Photos
CVS: Primarily caters to US passport photo standards and might not offer variations required for international passports.
Online passport photo generators: A game-changer for globe-trotters. It can adapt to different international passport photo standards, ensuring you’re always prepared, no matter where you’re headed.
- Customer Support
CVS: Support is limited to store hours and might require another trip to the store for clarifications or corrections.
Online passport photo generators: Understands the global nature of its user base and offers 24/7 support. This round-the-clock assistance ensures that users can get help whenever they need it.
- Freedom to Retake
CVS: Typically, you have a limited number of retakes, and it can be uncomfortable asking for multiple shots.
Online passport photo generators: The freedom to take as many retakes as you want ensures that you’re thoroughly satisfied with your photo. It’s your passport, after all, and it should be an image you’re proud of.
To sum up, the digital age beckons with superior alternatives to CVS passport photo services. To help you enjoy the convenience of online tools, this guide will show you how to take compliant passport photos with AiPassportPhotos, one of the most user-friendly and cost-effective products in this area.
How to Take CVS Passport Photos at Home?
Step 1: Take a photo by yourself with a smartphone or a digital camera. Apart from the requirements for facial expressions, cosmetics, clothing, and accessories mentioned above, you will probably need the following tips:
- Lighting Setup
You are advised to position the camera in a well-lit place, and natural light is perfect. Avoid overexposure or underexposure or intense shadows on your face.
- Body-camera Distance
As a rule of thumb, it’s best to place the camera 1.5 to 2 meters from your body to include your head and upper shoulders in the photo, and meanwhile, preserve room for cropping. Sit or stand straight and face the camera squarely.
- Background
A white or off-white background will meet the requirements of most countries. You can choose a wall or a board of the right colors. Or, you can simply let AI passport photo generators change your background.
Step 2: Visit AiPassportPhotos’ website, select the type of photo you want to generate (e.g., US Digital Passport Photo), and upload the photo you just took. The engine then automatically crops your photo and processes the background according to the latest official requirements it retrieves from the Internet.
Step 3: You can preview the processed photo, which is already compliant, and decide whether to retake it.
Then, pay credits to download a printable template. You need to pay credits to save the printable template, and every image costs only 1 credit. You can get 2 free credits by registering a new account, and earn 5 more by inviting friends to AiPassportPhotos. If your credits are used up, you can recharge anytime through pay-as-you-go or the more economical subscription plan:
You can print it out in any photo-copying stores in the US like Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Costco.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I take the baby’s passport photos at CVS?
Yes, you can take your baby’s passport photos at CVS. CVS provides passport photo services for individuals of all ages, including infants. It’s advisable to check with the specific CVS location near you to ensure they have the necessary facilities and expertise to capture a suitable passport photo for your baby. Taking the photo at CVS offers convenience and reliability, ensuring that your baby’s passport photo meets the required specifications for official documentation.
- Can I order passport photos online at CVS?
No. You can only have your photos taken in-store at a CVS store.
- Is it cheaper to get a passport photo at the post office?
Yes, but the prices are quite close—CVS charges $16.99 for two passport photos, while US post offices charge $15. But both of them are far more expensive than online passport photo generating services.
📖 Read Also: Does the Post Office Take Passport Photos
- Does CVS provide a digital copy of my passport photo?
No. CVS does not provide digital copies of passport photos as part of their service, which can turn out to be quite troublesome when it comes to online passport applications.
Wrap-up
In this age of digital convenience, the juxtaposition between traditional methods, like CVS passport photos, and innovative AI-driven solutions, like AiPassportPhotos, is clear. As we’ve unraveled, while the former offers familiarity, the latter provides unparalleled flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and precision. Embrace the future—passport photography is not just in-store; it’s online and in your hands!