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Everything You Need to Know About U.S. Passport Photo Requirements

Getting or renewing a passport? Here's what you need to know about photo requirements.

With routine processing times ranging from 10 to 13 weeks, getting a new passport is a time-consuming and sometimes cumbersome operation. No one wants to prolong it by providing a photo that doesn't quite meet the state department's requirements.

You don't have to buy pricey passport photos from any specific place — not the UPS Store, Walgreens , nor anywhere else — to meet those requirements. You can go the DIY route, but you need to be sure your photo follows a few specific rules. Here's what to wear (and what not to wear), the correct image size, approved backgrounds, and other rules you need to know when submitting a photo for your passport book or card.

Size and Resolution

Getting the dimensions right are arguably the hardest part of providing your own passport photo. What is a passport-size photo? The U.S. Department of State requires a square photo that's two inches long and wide. Your face must take up between one inch and an inch and three-eights from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

The photo should show you clearly and without editing — this is a #nofilter zone. Also, selfie photos aren't allowed "because they are often the incorrect size and have the wrong head position." You must have someone else take the photo or take it using a tripod.

Your passport photo should be sharp — not blurry, grainy, or pixelated — and printed on photo-quality paper. It can be matte or glossy, as long as it doesn't have holes, creases, or smudges.

Color and Light Requirements

The Department of State wants the photo in your passport to be in color, but it doesn't stand for too much busyness in the background. Photos must be taken against plain, untextured white or off-white backgrounds with no shadows. You should be well-lit in the photograph, so that your skin tone is accurately represented.

Only Recent Photos Allowed

The rules state that your photo must be taken within six months of submitting it with your passport application. "We verify that the photo looks like you," reads the Department of State website, presumably by comparing your photo to the one on your driver's license or another proof of identity.

Posing for Passport Photos

Save the sultry or silly poses for Instagram. According to the State Department, in passport photos, you should have "a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed." No big cheesy grins, no silly faces, no pouts.

In your photo, you should be facing the camera directly with your full face in view. If you are getting a passport photo for a baby or young child, this is harder than it sounds. There is more leniency for baby passport photos, according to the State Department.

What to Wear (and What Not to Wear)

Passport photos are not the place to make fashion statements. The State Department wants your photo to be "taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis." However, no uniforms or clothing that looks like a uniform. Also, no camouflage attire.

You should not wear a hat or head covering in your photo. If you wear a hat or head covering for a religious or medical reason, you need to submit a signed statement that "verifies that the hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public or a signed doctor's statement verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes," according to the State Department. Even with those signed statements, your full face has to be visible.

Also, no wearing headphones or earpieces. You can, however, wear jewelry, including body jewelry, as long as it doesn't hide your face. "Permanent tattoos are acceptable for passport purposes as well," the guidelines say.

As far as glasses go, the Department of State changed its ruling on those in 2016. It now requires that glasses are removed for the photo, even if you aren't using a flash camera. If you have a passport older than 2016 that includes a photo in which you're wearing glasses, it's still valid. But when you take a new photo for renewal, you'll have to take them off. If you have a medical need that prevents you from removing your glasses for the photo, the State Department requires a signed note from your doctor.

Related Articles

40 Beautiful Photo Spots In The US

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: December 29, 2020

Updated: May 30, 2024

The United States is one of the best places in the world to learn, practice and perfect your landscape photography skills. You and your camera really are spoiled for choice thanks to an abundance of beaches, rainforests, mountains, deserts, canyons, oceans, lakes and urban cityscapes. Our own journey from beginners to pros was mostly made in America, and we’re excited to share some of our favorite photo spots in the US with you.

In this guide we show you our photos from some of the most stunning places you can visit in the United States, and we hope to inspire you to plan your next photography trip!

Our Experience

We traveled the world non-stop from 2018-2024, and we were lucky enough to spend many months driving around the US. Our priorities were national parks, road trips, quaint rural towns and major bucket list cities. And we were blown away by the sheer volume of dramatic, striking or beautiful landscapes available in America for aspiring photographers. A few years later, we’ve had our photos published in travel books and we sell our photos from around the world in our very own print store .

In the photos above, Mark is hiking in the Grand Canyon and Kristen is hiking at The Wave. There are still so many places we’re yet to visit in the US, so this guide is only partially complete and we’ll come back to update it when we capture more stunning photos. But for now, here are the most beautiful places we’ve taken photos in America so far, listed in alphabetical order. Read more about us .

1. Acadia, ME

Acadia is filled with short but steep hikes leading to mountain summits overlooking lakes, rolling hills covered in trees and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of our favorite national parks on the East Coast, and we highly recommend visiting in the first week of October for peak fall foliage colors. We took the photo above at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse at sunset.

READ : Fun things to do in Acadia

2. Alabama Hills, CA

If you ever find yourself passing through Lone Pine in California, give yourself an hour to see Mobius Arch and the Alabama Hills. We tried a sunrise but the sky didn’t do us any favors. However, it’s definitely one of our top “hidden gem” photo spots in the US because you can see Mt Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 and barely anyone knows it exists. We took the photo above with our drone.

3. Artists Bluff, NH

One of the classic New England fall foliage road trip photo spots is at Artists Bluff summit overlooking Echo Lake in Franconia Notch State Park. We’ve hiked the short trail twice and it’s been packed both times because it’s so popular. We highly recommend giving yourself an extra 45 minutes to hike the full loop which includes Bald Mountain, trust us, it’s worth it.

READ : How to hike Artists Bluff NH

4. Bethesda Terrace, NY

We could have included a dozen NYC photo spots in this guide because it’s one of the world’s most iconic cities. Bethesda Terrace is one of a few we just had to include. We lived in New York and we must have seen at least 10 marriage proposals at the romantic terrace and fountain in Central Park. You’ll have to arrive very early if you want a people-free photo like ours above!

READ : Where to visit in Central Park

5. Black Hills, SD

South Dakota’s Black Hills region is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in America. We’ve spent 10 days exploring the likes of Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands, Wind Cave, Spearfish Canyon and Devils Tower. There’s so much to do for the whole family, and we’re confident you’ll fill your camera’s SD card if you visit in fall when green and golden leaves light up the granite hills.

READ : South Dakota road trip itinerary

6. Bryce Canyon, UT

The US is filled with unique and striking landscapes, but Bryce Canyon’s amphitheater is up there with the most intriguing. Our advice is to spend a full day from sunrise to sunset exploring the viewpoints and hikes inside the canyon. But the one thing you can’t miss as a photographer is the spectacular amphitheater sunrise, which glows a deep red color at dawn.

READ : Top Bryce Canyon photo spots

7. Cannon Beach, OR

Oregon’s coastline is littered with photogenic sea stacks and Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock is one of the most famous. Being on the West Coast means sunset is the best time of day for you to photograph the rocks, ocean and beach right there in the heart of the small town. We enjoyed a dramatic sunset with lots of clouds.

8. Death Valley, CA

Contrary to what its name might imply, Death Valley is actually one of the more attractive national parks we’ve visited. As photographers, we love the diverse range of terrain types like sand dunes, salt flats, mountains, desert and canyons. You can watch sunrise at Zabriskie Point, sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and even try astrophotography at Rhyolite Ghost Town.

READ : Death Valley day trip itinerary

9. Delicate Arch, UT

Arches National Park has a handful of special photo spots like The Windows, Double Arch and Landscape Arch. But they all pale in significance once you see Delicate Arch standing tall at the rim of a deep bowl-shaped depression. And you simply must see Delicate Arch at sunset. It’s one of the best sunsets we’ve seen in the US and we can’t wait to do it again with our upgraded camera gear.

READ : Hiking Delicate Arch for sunset

10. Emerald Bay, CA

We spent almost a week in Lake Tahoe in 2022 and we left with some of our all-time favorite photos from the US. It’s just one of those places you go and can’t stop clicking the shutter on your camera. Our favorite spots include hiking trail summits, rocky shorelines and beaches and piers. But the one place you can’t miss is the mesmerizing Emerald Bay at sunrise.

READ : Fun things to do in Emerald Bay

11. Fire Wave, NV

Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas is a relatively unknown but unmissable place to visit in the American southwest. The park is filled with amazing photo opportunities, but there are two standout spots you should’t miss. One is Mouse’s Tank Road (#24 in this guide) and the other is Fire Wave, which you can see above. We hiked to the stunning Fire Wave for sunrise and had it entirely to ourselves.

READ : How to hike Fire Wave Trail

12. Flume Gorge, NH

The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch is a hugely popular fall foliage stop. You’ll take lots of great photos in the gorge, but for us the best photo spot is Flume Covered Bridge. You might have to wait a while to get a photo with no people in it, but it’s well worth being patient. We’ve got our photo of the bridge hanging on our wall at home.

READ : Visiting Flume Gorge for the first time

13. Golden Gate Bridge, CA

If you were asked in a quick-fire quiz to name any bridge in the world, there’s a good chance you’ll say the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco . It’s that iconic. And it also makes for a superb US photo spot. Our favorite vantage points include Marin Headland, Marshall’s Beach and Alcatraz which you can see in our sunset photo above. Next time, we’d love to do a foggy sunrise.

READ : Best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints

14. Grand Canyon, AZ

Some of the places in this list are very specific, but with the Grand Canyon it’s impossible to be specific. The whole thing is extraordinarily photogenic, so you just have to turn up with a camera and point it towards the gigantic chasm. With that said, we recommend hiking the beginning of South Kaibab Trail for sunrise and Hopi Point for sunset. Plus, Yavapai Point is a great spot any time of day.

READ : Visiting Grand Canyon South Rim for the first time

15. Grand Teton, WY

We’ve been to most of the popular US national parks and many of them are incredible for photography. But Grand Teton just has something special that makes us want to go back for more. Our advice is to spend two mornings in Grand Teton so you can do Mormon Row one day and Schwabacher Landing the next.

READ : 2 days Grand Teton itinerary

16. Horseshoe Bend, AZ

This enormous and striking U-bend in the Colorado River called Horseshoe Bend is located in Page, Arizona. It’s often an afterthought when people take a tour of Antelope Canyon, but we think Horseshoe Bend should be considered as the major attraction. We’ve done sunrise and sunset here, and they were both amazing.

READ : Horseshoe Bend at sunrise and sunset

17. Kanab, UT

The town of Kanab itself isn’t one of the best photo spots in America. But nearby there’s a bunch of great places to visit with your camera, like Moqui Sand Caverns, Toadstool Hoodoos, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Red Canyon Slot and Belly of the Dragon which you can see in our photo above. The tunnel alone is a good frame, but take a subject along with you to create a fun silhouette.

READ : What you can’t miss in Kanab UT

18. Lake Placid, NY

At the heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains lies the four-season adventure resort of Lake Placid. We’ve taken some fantastic photos in the Adirondacks, but our favorites are the ones you can get by looking back at Lake Placid from the Whiteface Mountain area. Either take the gondola to Little Whiteface or drive the auto road up Whiteface Mountain.

READ : Top things to do in Lake Placid NY

19. Leavenworth, WA

Have you been to Bavaria in southern Germany? Well, Leavenworth is America’s “Bavarian Village” and it’s uniquely picturesque. But if you really want to take things to the next level in Leavenworth, you simply must hike the exceptionally beautiful Enchantments Trail. It’s no joke at nearly 20 miles, but it’s one of the best and most visually stunning day hikes we’ve ever done.

READ : How to day hike The Enchantments

20. Letchworth, NY

Little known Letchworth State Park in western New York will always be one of our favorite photo spots in the US because it’s not far from where Kristen grew up. We’ve been countless times, but it took us four attempts to get a sunrise as vibrant as the one we got in the photo above. Along with Great Bend Overlook, there are also three powerful waterfalls to capture so don’t forget your filters.

READ : Visiting Letchworth State Park for the first time

21. Manhattan Bridge, NY

We think the Manhattan Bridge View from Washington Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn has to be up there with the best photo spots in NYC. It’s near impossible to have this place to yourself because it’s not just an amazing traditional photographers’ location, it’s also immensely popular for social media users. We arrived at dawn for the photo above and still had to be very patient.

READ : Best photo spots in NYC

22. Mesa Arch, UT

If you pushed us to give you our top US sunrise recommendation for photographers, Mesa Arch would right up there in the conversation. We arrived way before sunrise but the small area in front of the arch quickly filled up with cameras and tripods, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. It’s a truly magical experience!

READ : Mesa Arch sunrise photography guide

23. Mount Hood, OR

The iconic photo of Mount Hood is taken from the back side of Pittock Mansion in Portland. The west facing slopes of the snow capped stratovolcano glow a dim pink color at sunset, so try to time your visit for dusk. We’d hoped for a better sunset but the view overlooking Mt Hood was far better than we expected, so overall it was a win.

24. Mount Rainier, WA

There’s a handful of places you can visit in the US where you can nonchalantly point and click your camera to take home amazing photos. Mount Rainier is one of those places and it’s Kristen’s favorite national park. The best part is that all the top photo spots are on hikes, so it’s a double win. If you’re into both hiking and photography in equal parts, you need to visit Mt Rainier.

READ : Amazing hikes in Mt Rainier

25. Mouse’s Tank Road, NV

Remember earlier when we showed you Fire Wave in Valley of Fire? Well, here’s the other unmissable photography location in the park. Mark took this photo with Kristen as the subject and it’s been published in Gestalten’s Great American Roadtrip . Park in the lot near Rainbow Vista Trailhead and cross the road to reach this awesome hidden photo spot.

READ : What you can’t miss at Valley of Fire

26. Multnomah Falls, OR

Both the Washington and Oregon sides of the Columbia River Gorge have countless stunning waterfalls. We could have included at least 5 other specific waterfalls from which we have amazing photos, but Multnomah Falls is the iconic landmark waterfall in the area. If you’re up for a hike, climb up next to Multnomah and continue to Dutchman, Wiesendanger and Ecola Falls.

27. New York Skyline, NY

When we moved to NYC, the first thing we did with our cameras was head up the observation decks to see the legendary New York City skyline from above. We love Top of the Rock because you can see all of Manhattan’s skyline, and with soft light at sunset the view is magnificent. This has to be considered as one of those truly unmissable US photo spots.

READ : Best observation deck views in NYC

28. North Cascades, WA

National parks with rugged and dramatic mountains like Glacier and Rocky Mountain take all the plaudits, which leaves the beautiful North Cascades to go under the radar. You get similar topography with mountains and lakes (on a much smaller scale) but you don’t have to deal with the crowds. Our two favorite photo spots are on Maple Pass Loop and Blue Lake which you can see in our photo above.

29. Olympic, WA

We were blown away by Olympic’s diversity from a photography perspective. It has mountain hikes, rainforests, rapids, beaches and lakes but you’ll need at least 3 days to drive the loop so you can make the most of its natural features. The summit of Mt Storm King, Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach and Staircase Rapids (pictured above) are our favorite photo spots in the park.

30. Sedona, AZ

Yes, we are classifying Sedona as an entire entity as one of the best photo spots in the US because the whole red rock landscape is simply magical. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or a veteran, you could spend a week framing photos non-stop in Sedona and still barely scratch the surface. We have too many favorites to list here, but the photo above shows our sunrise from Chimney Rock.

READ : Unmissable things to do in Sedona

31. Shenandoah, VA

Skyline Drive is one of the most scenic roads you can drive on the East Coast. It twists, turns, rises and falls along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through the entire 105-mile length of Shenandoah National Park. Along the way you can hike fun trails and admire far reaching views. But our favorite photo spots are on the unique and picturesque Old Rag Trail.

32. Smugglers Notch, VT

We bought a drone years ago and we’ve barely had chance to use it because there are so many restrictions and limitations. But every now and then, we do get the opportunity to fly and it really does give us a unique photography perspective. One such place is Smugglers Notch in Stowe Mountain Resort. The notch is beautiful to drive through, but it’s even better from above.

33. Stowe, VT

The small mountain resort of Stowe, Vermont is one of our favorite places to visit in New England during the fall. It’s got a bunch of great hikes, awesome breweries and stunning fall foliage photo ops. The most iconic fall photo in town is of Stowe’s white community church (which you can see above), and it’s best taken from a viewing area next to Salon Salon on Mountain Road.

READ : Top things to do in Stowe VT

34. The Wave, AZ

If you’re a photographer who’s interested in unique topography, you simply must apply for an elusive Wave permit . We’ve seen a good portion of the world’s most famous landmarks and landscapes, and we have to say The Wave is up there with the most mind-boggling places we’ve ever seen. It’s impossible not to take home incredible photos!

READ : Essential guide to hiking The Wave

35. Tunnel View, CA

Yosemite National Park is up there with the most spectacularly beautiful national parks in America and Tunnel View is one of it’s most iconic photo spots. Drive up to Wawona Tunnel for an elevated east facing vista looking directly through Yosemite Valley towards El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome in the distance. It’s magnificent.

READ : Top photo spots in Yosemite

36. Valley View, CA

We’re not done with Yosemite yet! Our other favorite place to take photos in Yosemite is close to Tunnel View and it even faces the same direction. However, the Valley View vista is at ground level so the towering granite domes and walls look more imposing. And you have the Merced River in the immediate foreground, which makes for sensational photography. Which is your favorite view?

READ : 1-3 days Yosemite itinerary ideas

37. Watkins Glen, NY

We’ve hiked the Watkins Glen State Park gorge trail at least 10 times. But we’ll never forget the first time we saw the immensely beautiful scene at Rainbow Falls, which looks like something you’d see in a Lord of the Rings movie (think Rivendell). If you like taking long exposures with water, you’re going to love Watkins Glen.

READ : Hiking the Watkins Glen gorge trail to Rainbow Falls

38. Woodstock, VT

Vermont is filled with quaint towns, covered bridges, rural farms and far too many delicious foods to taste. In the fall foliage season, all of these things are amplified and places like Woodstock explode with tourists. For us, Woodstock is the quintessential New England town and it’s arguably the most photogenic. So grab your camera and get out exploring the area!

READ : Top things to do in Woodstock VT

39. Yellowstone, WY

We’ve been to Yellowstone three times and we could keep going back every year. There’s so much to see and do, and the different seasons provide completely contrasting experiences. We could list a dozen photo spots, but at a push we’d say Artist Point, Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and Morning Glory Pool are our favorites. You’ll definitely need backup batteries and SD cards for your camera.

READ : What you can’t miss in Yellowstone

40. Zion, UT

What comes to mind when you hear Zion National Park? We’re betting it’s hiking trails, and you’d be right to do so because hikes there are out of this world. But Zion is also exceptionally photogenic, so don’t forget your camera! Our favorite photo spots include Zion Canyon Overlook summit, Canyon Junction Bridge and Angels Landing summit at sunrise (yes, we did summit for sunrise!).

READ : Unmissable hikes in Zion

More from the US

• 50 popular US vacation spots
• 50 amazing hikes in the US
• 30 bucket list road trips in the US
• 20 awesome US national parks

Interested in photography? Head over to our travel photography page to see more from us.

We hope this inspires you to get out and explore more of the US with your camera!

Don’t forget you can buy many of the photos in this guide in our travel prints shop , and please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

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Published: May 24, 2022 · 1 Comment · This post may contain affiliate links.

A 50 States Photo Map: The Best Way To Display Your Travel Adventures

We just got this awesome 50 States Photo Map, to document all our travels as a family. We love it so much! It's a great conversation starter, and pretty much everyone who sees it compliments it.

We've done hours of research, and the Thunder Bunny personalized USA Photo Map is easily the best option. It's the right size, has a very fair price point, and can be personalized by color/font/style. It comes with three different choices of frames that are the perfect depth for their multiple layers of die-cut mats. Best of all, they provide handy software that lets you customize your photos to the exact size and shape you need, and easily send them to a photo printer.

If you're going to make a personalized USA photo map, this is the way to go!

The 50 States Photo Map is available at Amazon , Etsy , and the Thunder Bunny Labs website . I recommend clicking through each to see if they are running a sale on one platform and not the other.

This is a fantastic gift! It could be an anniversary gift for your spouse, or a wedding gift for a new couple, or any kind of birthday or holiday! You can personalize it and wrap it up - your choice if you gather and print the pictures for them, or let them pick their favorites with you.

Read on for all the details about how this personalized USA picture map works.

It's made of 5 layers.

You can personalize it..

• There are 3 different frame styles.

The Thunder Bunny Labs Map Maker

Here's what you need to fill a 50 states photo map:, option 1: estimated cost of using walgreens to print, option 2: use an online printer to save, option 3: photo stickers now available, cutting out and affixing your photos, how big is it, not sure if this is the right option, amazing gift: a 50 states photo map to show off travel pictures.

One of the things that makes this option the best 50 states photo map is that it comes with several layers of mat and background. This adds really nice depth to the overall display, making it look very classy and high-quality.

First there's the cardboard layer (#1) that makes everything fit snugly, but this is completely covered by the actual background layer (#2). This layer is printed with the states in neutral colors, which will show until you visit them and add a photo. You'll cut out your states and use double-sided tape to attach the photos to this layer.

Then there is a white die-cut layer (#3) of all the state outlines. The beauty of this layer is that it makes all your states look clean and precise, even if you didn't cut them out perfectly! Some of those states are tricky, with all their jagged edges and river boundaries.

I think that this layer is what makes your finished map look so professional, and what makes the Thunder Bunny 50 States Photo Map way better than the competition.

Then there is a laser-cut mat (#4) that just has the outline of the continental US plus Alaska and Hawaii. This mat adds another layer of depth to the finished product, and also comes in several colors!

You can choose from a medium gray (called Driftwood), a medium blue (called Caribbean), a dark green (Zucchini), Sienna, White, or Black. There is also an option that has the bordering states printed on it like an actual map so that Canada and Mexico are visible.

I ended up choosing the white mat since I wanted our pictures to pop against the white color.

Finally, there's a clear acrylic layer (#5) to protect all your photos. This layer comes with lined with plastic on both sides to protect it from any scratches while shipping.

All those layers come super well protected in a shipping box.

Thunder Bunny has 4 options for what style of words you can add to the USA Photo Map. There are different fonts and placements, depending on what you like. Then when you order you just list which numbered style you want and what words those should be.

The personalization is on the top map layer. We got our family name printed on it, to keep track of all the places our family has traveled together.

This is the link for the personalized version from Amazon . This is the link for the personalized version from Etsy .

A personalized US photo map would make a really sweet wedding present for a new couple! You can add their names and wedding year to several of the options.

There are 3 different frame styles .

You can choose a frame from Thunder Bunny in white, black, or weathered gray. It comes super well packaged, with all the corners protected in a big box.

Of course, you can buy this US photo map unframed, but it's much easier to get the frame they have already prepared to fit their product perfectly.

Basically, all these options mean you can absolutely create a personalized USA Photo Map, in whatever color scheme or style you want!

I debated a lot about the frame color and ended up going with the gray frame. I think the black would have been really classy too though!

How Do You Make The Photos Shaped Like A State?

Printing state-shaped photos sounds like it could be a huge headache. Everyone wonders "how do you get the photos in the right shape?"

Don't worry - this company has already solved the problem.

Thunder Bunny offers a map maker on their website, that lets you upload pictures and print them in the exact size you need!

It is truly genius, and the only way I would have undertaken a project like this.

Here's the mapmaker site: https://www.thunderbunnylabs.com/mapmaker

You'll have to make an account, but it's super easy and convenient to have all your pictures available in their software. Then pick your template; I wanted the 50 states picture map template, but you can pick whatever one you're working on.

Then, you click a state and upload the photos you want to put in that state. You can drag and drop a photo into the template, or find it in your files.

The map-maker has functions to scale, rotate, and move your photo around the state template. It makes it super easy to adjust your picture to be the most pleasing in some of those odd shaped states!

You can even add multiple photos to each state to make a collage . (None of their competitors have this ability!) This is super helpful for bigger states like Texas and California, or frankly any of them. You can add up to 10 photos per state.

One of the things I loved was that you can preview what your map looks like as you make it! Each state fills in on your map as you add pictures to it, and everything is saved for each time you print a batch of photos.

That makes it easier to choose between picture options when you can see what states it borders.

For example, you might realize a scenery shot looks better next to a close-up in a bordering state. If you care about aesthetics, this really helps you design a really beautiful 50 States Picture Map.

How Much Does It Cost To Print Photos ?

After you've used the map maker, you have three options to fill your US Photo Map.

• You can print your photos at Walgreens using the built-in function
• You can download the files and print them at a printer of your choice.
• Or, their NEW option is to order photo stickers (no cutting necessary!)

Walgreens is obviously super convenient, especially if you want to use same-day pickup. It's a matter of only a few clicks and they go right to Walgreens. (You don't order in the Walgreens website or app - just start in the Thunder Bunny Labs site and it connects it automatically.)

Or, you can just download the files and print them where ever you'd like. To do this, you just click the green Print To Walgreens button and you'll see the dropdown option to download a JPG file.

Either way, you'll need a certain number of 8x10 and 5x7 images to fit the larger states, and then everything else goes on 4x6 prints.

We calculated 3 big 8x10 inch prints (for California, Texas, and Alaska), 8 medium 5x7 inch prints (for the states like Nevada, Montana, Utah, etc), and then 39 more 4x6 inch prints for the smaller states.

One of the things I really like about Thunder Bunny's map maker is that it automatically combines small states onto a 4x6 print if they can fit them. For example, Hawaii fits nicely on a 4x6 print with many different small states like Ohio.

It's cheaper to combine states where you can, but how much money you save just depends on the order you are ready to print your photos.

The Map Maker is automatically set up to print at Walgreens. It's super easy to just click the "send to Walgreens" button and choose your location. You can even use the same-day pickup to get your prints in about an hour!

Your estimated cost would be:

3 Large States x $3.99 = $11.97 8 Medium States x $2.99 = $23.92 <39 Small States x $0.35 = 13.65 Total: $49.54 to print at Walgreens

It's about $50 total to print all the photos you need at Walgreens for your 50 states picture map.

You could also save out your images from the map maker, and then print them somewhere else.

Online printers such as Mpix and Shutterfly usually offer better quality prints and often have sales that make them cheaper than a local big box store.

However, you'll also have to include shipping fees and whether or not you can combine it with other products to hit free shipping.

Your costs will vary here, depending on sales and their pricing. But here's the same scenario at other retailers.

Printing at Mpix (Full Price listed, but there are often sales)

3 Large States (8x10) x $2.99 = $8.97 8 Medium states (5x7) x $1.49 = $11.92 <39 Small state (4x6) x $0.33 = $12.87 Total: $33.97 to print at Mpix.

Printing at Shutterfly (Full Price listed, but there are always sales)

3 Large States (8x10) x $3.95 = $11.85 8 Medium states (5x7) x $0.99 = $7.92 <39 Small state (4x6) x $0.18 = $7.02 Total: $26.79 to print at Shutterfly.

Obviously, it all depends on how many states you're printing, shipping costs, and if you want the convenience of same-day pickup or you're willing to wait. The beauty of it is you can make that decision each time you print states for your USA Picture Map!

Mpix or Shutterfly will give you cheaper prints if you have a lot of large states, so that might be a good option for your first order.

But if you're only printing a few at a time then Walgreens is quite convenient, especially since it's all connected inside the Map Maker system. You choose!

Thunder Bunny Labs now offers printed photo stickers of your photos! It's one of the options in the dropdown. These stickers are precut in the correct size and shape - just peel and stick, no cutting.

The only trick is that stickers change the cost of filling your map considerably. However, it might be worth it for the time and effort of cutting out the states yourself.

Your cost for stickers would be:

5 Large States x $5.00 = $25 35 Medium States x $2.50 = $87.50 10 Small State x $1.25 = $12.50 Total = $125 to fill your map with Thunder Bunny Labs Stickers

So it's 2-3x as expensive as printing photos and cutting them yourself. It's certainly convenient, so if you're not crafty, this might be a good option!

Once the photos were printed, we found it really easy to cut out our images. They are already perfectly sized, so it was just cutting them out on the line!

Since I had a ton of pictures to add at once, we just had a cutting party and got them all done in a few minutes.

One of the beauties of the multiple layers is that you didn't have to be perfect about all those crazy river boundaries! The photos will be sitting behind a die-cut inner "window" layer with all the states, which makes the finished product look super professional.

I didn't cut out individual Hawaii islands either, since the layers would cover that up too.

Then I just laid that bottom state layer on the floor, and used double-sided tape to attach all the photos ...It was way easier than making tape loops! Once your photos are all on the bottom layer, just stack up the layers and carefully slide them into your frame.

This frame is especially awesome because it's deep enough for 5 layers and is very durable, for taking things in and out a lot. Just flip it over and hang your USA picture map. Tada!

This 50 States Photo Map is 36x48 inches (3 ft by 4 ft). The 5 layers are all the same, and stacked together.

I chose to buy the frame directly from them, and it's high-quality. The included frame adds another two inches on every side, and it comes with heavy-duty hardware already attached. It also has cool clips that make it easy to access the back of the map, to slide your layers in and out.

The Thunder Bunny Labs frame is definitely the best option for a Personalized USA Photo Map. Even if I were to get a different frame on amazon, it's not likely it would be deep enough to handle their 5 different layers: (the cardboard back, the sheet you put the puts on, the cutouts of each state, the cutout of the entire US, and the clear plastic layer.) So I was very pleased with this frame.

Everything comes super well protected in a shipping box. We had no issues with chips, scratches, or anything.

Overall, we were incredibly impressed with our 50 States Photo Map .

We've filled it with photos, and now we're itching to go on a back east trip! Since we're missing a whole lot of states over there. And darn Oregon, for some reason?!

It's been a delight to go through old pictures and reminisce with the kids about all the places they've been (about 30 states for the oldest kids - the younger ones missed a few trips we took before they were born.).

I think a USA picture map like this is an excellent present for someone who loves to travel or WANTS to travel. It's the perfect way to display some adventures and a great conversation starter.

You can buy this USA Photo Map is from Thunder Bunny Labs, which is widely available on Amazon , Etsy , or their own website .

I also did a write-up about other maps I researched, so you can save yourself some time and check that post for two other photo map options are out there .

However, I do believe that the Thunder Bunny Labs US Photo Map is the best pick - you really can't go wrong with the quality and cost!

Reader Interactions

November 22, 2022 at 8:03 am

Thanks for the great write up Meg! We've put a ton of work into our photo map products over the years and it's wonderful to know it helped you create such an amazing photo map. We're always adding new features to the Map Maker and strive to keep making it the absolute best photo map product in the world.

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Applicants for nonimmigrant visas at the U.S. Embassy are required to upload an electronic photograph as part of completing and submitting their DS-160 application form on the www.state.gov website. You should also carry a copy of your photograph to the Embassy on the day of your interview.

• Frame subject with full face, front view, eyes open
• Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm)
• Center head within frame (see Figure 2 below)
• Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from bottom of photo
• Photograph subject against a plain white or off-white background
• Position subject and lighting so that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background
• Encourage subject to have a natural expression

Figure 2. Head Position & Placement

For Digital Images Uploaded to the DS-160

The head height or facial region size (measured from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50% and 69% of the image's total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height.

Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width). Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600 pixels (height). Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height).

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The Best Travel Photography of 2023

There's nothing quite like the power of a photograph to truly capture the heart of a place—and awaken the travel bug inside us all. But with social media inundated with images of far-flung destinations, the search for high-quality travel photography can often be a tougher pursuit. So, in place of scrolling, why not let an expert panel of judges filter out the best of the best for you?

This week, the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards announced their 2023 winners, selected from more than 20,000 images taken by amateur and professional photographers from over 150 countries. The judging of the competition takes place over three rounds; all 16 judges are leading photographers or experts in the field and are not made aware of the identity or nationality of any entrants.

Ranging from ethereal landscapes of the Italian countryside to striking portraits in Pakistan and Russia , the winning shots—including the celebrated work of Travel Photographer of the Year AndreJa Ravnak—reflect a “subtle elegance," says TPOTY founder Chris Coe.

"This comes through in both of AndreJa’s winning portfolios; one takes us into simple landscapes, with delicate colors and a textural beauty, the other into the hop fields, out of season and undressed ready for the next planting," Coe says. “Neither are obvious subjects, neither photographed at an optimal time of year, and yet they are both engaging and rather beautiful.”

Ravnak's winning submissions consists of eight shots photographed in the farmlands of Italy , the Czech Republic , and Slovenia .

“From my personal experience, I know it's not easy to judge photography. Images are not measurable, so being a judge is a complex task and responsibility,” says Ravnak, a professional architect from Slovenia. "Congratulations to all the winners; together, we are enthusiastically documenting this wonderful world, and perhaps this is a small contribution, a reminder to preserve its wonder for future generations.”

Below, see the 2023 winners of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards, featuring Japan's Lake Shirakawa , volcanic eruptions in Iceland , Shamanic rituals in Siberia , wildebeest migration in Kenya —and more.

Near Pienza, Tuscany, Italy

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Early in the spring, the first rains allow wheat to grow in the rolling fields. Due to the cold nights, the landscape is often shrouded in beautiful mists on clear mornings during this period. This agricultural landscape is sparsely populated, with land being used to its fullest potential. Farms are located on the top of individual hills.”

South Moravia, near Kyov, Czech Republic

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In early spring, the soil is still too cold for growth. An interesting pattern occured while a new orchard was planted on the slope of the hill, making the scene very abstract.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In search of suitable land for cultivating fertile soil for agricultural purposes, humans have sometimes covered entire hilly landscapes with fields. Hills without natural vegetation are very exposed to erosion, which creates unusual waves on the slopes. This agricultural landscape looks like a soft, undulating carpet, completely otherworldly, as if it had been created by AI. In addition to erosion, the problem with these intensively cultivated areas is also the increasing exhaustion of fertile soil.”

Savinjska valley, near Zalec, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “A tractor driver maneuveres a high trailer with a crew of workers on top, manually tying strings to steel cables for hop growing. In the spring, the fields must be prepared for a new season and new strings must be strung. The process is done by hand, but there is not enough interest in this type of work in Slovenia, so hop growers hire workers from abroad every year. Seasonal workers from Romania are regular visitors to the Savinja Valley.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “When the hop strings are hung on the top steel cables, an unusual curtain of threads is created in the fields. The threads dance in the wind and sparkle in the sunlight. They look like some kind of unusual art installation.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “The freely hanging strings need to be stretched and anchored in the ground. This is done by hand and is more often done by women. Here, Aurora, a woman from from Romania, is in a good mood, as the work team has a radio with them and they are playing Romanian music in the field.”

Savinjska valley, near Braslovce, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Once all the strings are manually stretched, the workers ensure that the small hop seedlings start climbing vertically. Once this is done, they leave the Savinja Valley for a few months and return in late summer, when the hops are ripe for harvesting.”

Chinle, Arizona, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 ( Caden Shepard Choi, USA, age 14) : “The sheep are herded back to their pen at the entrance of the canyon. They walk through a dust cloud formed by the steady kick of their hooves. The sheep are initially reluctant to enter the mouth of the canyon, but when returning home, they show no resistance. After a long day steering sheep, the two herding dogs now playfully trail behind.”

Exton, Pennsylvania, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 15-18 (Lilly Zhang, USA, age 17) : “The mist suspended on Marsh Creek lake's surface, signature to its early fall mornings, the quiet morning light illuminating the fall leaves, and the fishermen amidst the mist. Captivated by the quiet beauty of the scenery, I took this photo.”

Litli-Hrutur volcano, Iceland

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 14 and Younger (Zayan Durrani, USA, age 14) : “My father and I took a trip to Iceland to visit an ongoing volcanic eruption. I took this image on the first day through the window of a small plane. I love how the setting sun cast shadows through the hills onto the volcano.”

The Icelandic highlands

Winner, Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Armand Sarlangue, France) : “A lush mountain range covered of moss in the Highlands, with a river snaking between the reliefs from the above glaciers. It will carry precious sediments along the lands before joining a bigger river system, up to the coasts of Iceland where it will connect with the great ocean.”

Lake Shirakawa, Japan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Kazuaki Koseki, Japan) : “For a period from the end of winter to early summer, Lake Shirakawa is filled with water from melting snow and a ‘submerged forest’ appears. The water in the lake changes colour between light blue and light green, and mist, combined with the reflections which look like a submeged forest create a fantastic landscape. In April, the season of sprouting had arrived in the submerged forest. In the soft light before sunrise, the submerged forest quietly welcomed the morning. I chose a bluish time before sunrise to erase the reality and emphasize the fantastic sight, and set the shutter speed to 30 seconds to flatten the water surface.”

La Ventana, Baja California, Mexico

Winner, Nature, Wildlife, and Conservation portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A split shot of a Mobula ray fever cruising below the divers’ boat as part of their annual migration in the waters of Baja California.”

Anilao, Philippines

Winner, Best Single Image in a Wildlife and Conservation Portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A yellow Gobby watches the ocean from the entrance of his crystal palace, a glass bottle at the bottom of the sea of the worst ocean polluter on the planet.”

Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia

Winner, People and Cultures Portfolio (Athanasios Maloukos, Greece) : “The Buryatian shaman Vitalli performs a ritual to connect with the spirits on frozen Lake Baikal, with the sacred Ogoi (Dragon) cape in the background. Siberia is considered the heartland of Shamanism, with Lake Baikal its most sacred place.”

Lagos, Nigeria

Winner, Best Single Image in a People and Cultures Portfolio (Jack Lawson, UK) : “Four members of The Special Eagles, Nigeria's national amputee football team, stand looking out into the ocean at a day on the beach.”

Kalash Valley, Chitral, Pakistan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Visual Stories Portfolio (F.Dilek Yurdakul, Turkey) : “In Pakistan, an Islamic Republic, there is no coeducation in public schools. Boys and girls receive Islamic education in separate classrooms and schools. The Kalash live within the borders of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, yet their schools are still co-educational. Gender diversity and unity are viewed as nothing to fear. Children are educated equally and together.”

La Puna, Argentina

Winner, A Quieter Life category (Ignacio Palacios, Australia/Spain) : “Walking on a white sand dune in La Puna, Argentina.”

Reutte, Austria

Winner, Above, Eye Level, Below category (Josien van Geffen, Netherlands) : “Under the Highline 179 suspension bridge, you get a completely different view when you look up. The bridge and the people on it now appear like a scene from an old video game.”

Petra, Jordan

Winner, Leisure and Adventure category (Andrea Peruzzi, Italy ): “As the last rays of the sun illuminate the iconic Treasury of Petra, a Bedouin enjoys jumping between the overhanging rocks. At sunset, it’s as if the once-lost city has two profoundly different souls, divided between day and night. When tourists leave this iconic destination, the Bedouins reawaken the ancient soul of Petra by repopulating the site, to eat around the bonfires and stay connected to the traditions handed down by their ancestors.”

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Winner, People's Choice Vote (Rohan Neel Shah, Kenya, age 16) : “A young wildebeest lost in the Great Wildebeest Migration madness. He stands there confused whilst other wildebeest rush to cross the river.”

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Starting November 1, 2016, eye glasses will no longer be allowed in new visa photos.

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Please review the tabs to the left for examples of both acceptable and unacceptable photos to submit with your visa application. Keep in mind the basics: size, expression, head position, background, print quality, and anything that might obscure the face (hair, shadows, glare on glasses, etc). Helpful “Photo tips” are provided on many of the examples.

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