Tweet
Little explanation before I go into things, there's no such thing as a universal standard passport photo size, for example the US and India use a 2x2" photo, Canada is 40x50mm, most of the rest of the world, Australia, Europe, some parts of Asia are 35x45mm, and Russia and Iran are the same, but on matte paper (not glossy like the rest) and the maximum/minimum size of the persons head can vary between country to country even if the print is the same (ie UK is about 5mm smaller than AUS, so the same photo can't be used for both) so when someone comes in asking after "the standard size" I have to ask which one.
We've recently moved over to a biometric system, has profiles/sizing for about 20 or so countries, so if it's one of those it's easy for us to size up and print, though for many not on the list, it's up to the customer to know/bring in their passport/visa paperwork.
Please note there will be mention of racial stereotypes from my experience below, bit only in passing, the actual race will not be mentioned, just what seems to be typical behaviour.
Customer type 1
Is all prepared, either knows the exact size or has their paperwork right there. Multiple sizes means extra cost? Okay. No problems in and out in minutes, prjkt is happy.
Customer type 2
"Don't you know?"
No we don't know the passport photo requirements for Uzbekistan or Myanmar, and no it's not my job to look it up when there's half a dozen people in the shop, the smartphone in your hand has a faster internet connection than these ageing terminal.
Bonus points: Customer will often complain that the post office is cheaper. Yet failing to realise the reason they came to my shop is that the post office only takes Australian passport photos, and not very well at that.
Customer type 3
"You gave me the wrong size!"
Often the result of the following:
A) Saying yes when I ask, "For an Australian passport"
B) Saying "the standard size" multiple times (see above) so they got the Australian standard
C) Having no idea what size in the first place, asking us to guess, then blaming us when it's wrong
I usually put notes on these customers receipts detailing the reasons they will not get a refund/reshoot
Customer type 4
It's a passport photo, not a job interview/portrait
This ones weird. Sure I can understand neatening your hair, wiping your face before the photo, but applying makeup for 20 minutes in store?
Getting offended when I don't have a spare tie hanging around for passport photos?
Changing into a business short and tie, while making me wait as you do so because you're in a hurry and not letting me serve others who are waiting?
Yes I can see you wear glasses, and yes I can see the reflections off your glasses that will get your photo rejected by the passport office, so stop wasting time and take them off.
It's just a passport photo. No, there's no discount.
I really don't get some cultures - I do try to be open minded but some things go a little too far for me to comprehend.
Customer type 5
Parents with babies.
I understand getting a photo of a baby looking straight at the camera is a challenge, but if you come in and your brat is fast asleep, you'll be turned back around instantly.
Baby just woken up + bright camera flash = broken eardrums. I speak from experience.
Most people understand once we explain that the best time is when the little one has been awake for a while, just had a feed and is content. One certain demographic especially, does not.
"We'll just wake he/she/it up"
No you won't. Oh your not listening? Please excuse me while I put my earplugs in.
(Second job as a nightclub photographer means I have earplugs on my keychain, so I actually have done this - customer was really offended by this, and even more so when I said, "I warned you," over the shrieking of her precious offspring.)
"But we're in a hurry"
Doesn't matter, your kid's asleep right now, not going to happen.
If the baby starts screaming, take it for a walk, and by that I don't mean standing in the narrow doorway, blocking anyone who wants to come in and spend money. FFS use your brain people, and think about others for a change.
I did spy one customer follow my advice, temporarily. Went out of the shop, and started poking the baby to wake it up. Succeeded. Photo was still a failure so I told them to leave again, come back half an hour later... They weren't happy bit I wasn't going to let them waste my staffed member's time on a doomed quest to force an 8 mth old who wasn't having any of it.
Sometimes I wonder why we still offer passport photos, then I remember, luckily, customer type 1 is the most common.
We've recently moved over to a biometric system, has profiles/sizing for about 20 or so countries, so if it's one of those it's easy for us to size up and print, though for many not on the list, it's up to the customer to know/bring in their passport/visa paperwork.
Please note there will be mention of racial stereotypes from my experience below, bit only in passing, the actual race will not be mentioned, just what seems to be typical behaviour.
Customer type 1
Is all prepared, either knows the exact size or has their paperwork right there. Multiple sizes means extra cost? Okay. No problems in and out in minutes, prjkt is happy.
Customer type 2
"Don't you know?"
No we don't know the passport photo requirements for Uzbekistan or Myanmar, and no it's not my job to look it up when there's half a dozen people in the shop, the smartphone in your hand has a faster internet connection than these ageing terminal.
Bonus points: Customer will often complain that the post office is cheaper. Yet failing to realise the reason they came to my shop is that the post office only takes Australian passport photos, and not very well at that.
Customer type 3
"You gave me the wrong size!"
Often the result of the following:
A) Saying yes when I ask, "For an Australian passport"
B) Saying "the standard size" multiple times (see above) so they got the Australian standard
C) Having no idea what size in the first place, asking us to guess, then blaming us when it's wrong
I usually put notes on these customers receipts detailing the reasons they will not get a refund/reshoot
Customer type 4
It's a passport photo, not a job interview/portrait
This ones weird. Sure I can understand neatening your hair, wiping your face before the photo, but applying makeup for 20 minutes in store?
Getting offended when I don't have a spare tie hanging around for passport photos?
Changing into a business short and tie, while making me wait as you do so because you're in a hurry and not letting me serve others who are waiting?
Yes I can see you wear glasses, and yes I can see the reflections off your glasses that will get your photo rejected by the passport office, so stop wasting time and take them off.
It's just a passport photo. No, there's no discount.
I really don't get some cultures - I do try to be open minded but some things go a little too far for me to comprehend.
Customer type 5
Parents with babies.
I understand getting a photo of a baby looking straight at the camera is a challenge, but if you come in and your brat is fast asleep, you'll be turned back around instantly.
Baby just woken up + bright camera flash = broken eardrums. I speak from experience.
Most people understand once we explain that the best time is when the little one has been awake for a while, just had a feed and is content. One certain demographic especially, does not.
"We'll just wake he/she/it up"
No you won't. Oh your not listening? Please excuse me while I put my earplugs in.
(Second job as a nightclub photographer means I have earplugs on my keychain, so I actually have done this - customer was really offended by this, and even more so when I said, "I warned you," over the shrieking of her precious offspring.)
"But we're in a hurry"
Doesn't matter, your kid's asleep right now, not going to happen.
If the baby starts screaming, take it for a walk, and by that I don't mean standing in the narrow doorway, blocking anyone who wants to come in and spend money. FFS use your brain people, and think about others for a change.
I did spy one customer follow my advice, temporarily. Went out of the shop, and started poking the baby to wake it up. Succeeded. Photo was still a failure so I told them to leave again, come back half an hour later... They weren't happy bit I wasn't going to let them waste my staffed member's time on a doomed quest to force an 8 mth old who wasn't having any of it.
Sometimes I wonder why we still offer passport photos, then I remember, luckily, customer type 1 is the most common.
) as long as it's viewable I don't see an issue.
Comment