Taking Perfect CO Congo (Brazzaville) passport 4x4 cm (40x40 mm) Photos at Home - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 40 × 40 mm (4 × 4 cm) with no border, printed or cropped to these measurements
• Head size and position: head (top of hair to chin) must measure 28–32 mm vertically and be centered both horizontally and vertically
• Background: uniform light grey or white, matte finish, no patterns, shadows or objects visible behind subject
• Lighting and exposure: even, diffused daylight or soft artificial light from both sides, no hotspots, shadows, glare or red-eye
• Facial expression: neutral with closed mouth, natural look, both eyes open and clearly visible, no squinting or raised eyebrows
• Glasses and headwear: thin-framed, clear-lens glasses allowed if no glare or frame covering eyes; no hats or headgear except for religious reasons with full facial visibility
• Clothing and accessories: everyday attire in dark or mid-tone colors, no uniforms or camouflage, minimal jewelry, no large earrings or neckpieces
• Hair and face visibility: hair combed away from face, no strands covering eyes or cheeks, full forehead and ears visible
• Camera setup: use a tripod or flat surface at subject’s eye level, distance ~5–2 m, camera lens at center of head, avoid wide-angle distortion
• Image quality: sharp focus, high resolution (min. 300 dpi), true-to-life color, no filters, digital noise or pixelation
• Printing specifications: photo paper glossy or matte, weight 180–250 g/m², borderless border, no edge cutting marks, dry fully before handling
• Quantity and backup: shoot at least 5–8 photos, review measurements with a ruler or overlay template, keep digital files for reprint if needed

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Taking Perfect CO Congo (Brazzaville) passport 4x4 cm (40x40 mm) Photos at Home - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact 40×40 mm Framing: Use a printed ruler or digital template to crop the photo precisely to 4 cm×4 cm with the head occupying about 70–80 % of the frame to meet Congo standards and avoid rejection
• Even Lighting and Plain White Background: Position two diffused light sources at 45° angles to eliminate shadows on the face and background, and use a seamless white wall or sheet to ensure the contrast required by Brazzaville officials
• Straight-On Neutral Expression: Stand 50–70 cm from the camera, look directly into the lens with a relaxed mouth and neutral eyes to satisfy biometric recognition requirements and prevent your photo from being dismissed
• Remove Accessories and Avoid Glare: Take off all eyewear, hats, scarves or jewelry (unless worn daily for religious purposes) to ensure full facial visibility, eliminate reflections and comply with Congo’s clear-face policy
• High-Resolution Capture and Quality Print: Shoot at a minimum of 600×600 pixels with a modern smartphone or camera, then print on matte or semi-gloss 200–300 gsm photo paper at true size to preserve sharpness and durability for passport processing

Conclusion

Taking your Congo (Brazzaville) passport photo at home is entirely feasible if you follow the exact government specifications and maintain professional standards throughout.

• Size & Framing: 4x4 cm (40x40 mm) with head height 25–35 mm and top margin 3–5 mm
• Background & Lighting: Plain light grey or white, even illumination, no shadows or reflections
• Position & Expression: Face centered and full-front, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible
• Attire & Accessories: No uniforms or headwear (unless for religious reasons), no glasses or tinted lenses
• Image Quality & Printing: High resolution (600 dpi+), true-to-life color, matte finish on quality photo paper
• Verification & Submission: Measure final print, check compliance against sample overlay, submit digital or physical copy per embassy guidelines