A Better Passport Photo

Great little business in an unassuming office building. Literally just a guy, a camera, and a printer. I was in and out in less than 10 min. They take credit cards with a $ 1 fee. Two passport photos for $ 15. Wish I got to see my picture first (even the DMV let me see my picture first) but I guess that would open up a flood of «I don’t like the way I look in that picture, lemme take 5 more…»
Anyhow, if you need fast and cheap passport photos and you’re near Union Square, this is a great place!

Could not have asked for a better service. The fellow working there was quick, knowledgeable, and nice. Got perfect US passport photos (all up to specs) taken and printed in 15 minutes. Yes, he shoots with a simple digital camera, but the photos came out just fine. Would absolutely recommend. The worst part? The place is a little hard to find. That’s all.

Excellent service and photo. Was able to get in the same day with an appointment. Would definitely come back here again versus messing around with that on my own. Thanks Marvin!

Two years ago I had my Canadian passport photos done and today I had my green card photos done.
Reasons why I love this place:
1. He is super knowledgable and tries to stay current on all photo requirements.
2. He keeps all files so you can get reprints or digital versions.
3. You will be treated like a friend, not just another customer (mom and pop store)
4. Great price.
p.s: Governments can be super fickled when it comes to photos. There is no way for any human being to predict 100% what the outcome will be.

Based on the reviews it looks like you will have either a five star experience or a one star experience at this place. And when it comes to passport photos, a one star experience is simply not worth the risk. My strong advice is to go somewhere else.
Here is why my experience received one star:
The guy who operates this place is very rude and condescending. He rushes the process and doesn’t pay close attention to the government issued photo specifications. (Just see the number of reviews from other people who had their photos rejected for non-​compliance.)
The office space (it is not a photo studio) where the photos are taken does not have any lighting other than the fluorescent tubes installed on the ceiling. I had to stand at an awkward angle facing a window in order to get enough light for my photo. I was shocked that he didn’t even have a white screen to use as a backdrop.
If this weren’t enough, his equipment was cheap and not professional. He uses a point-​and-​shoot digital camera and a $ 700 desktop printer. He also does not use purpose built software to ensure passport photo compliance (even Walgreens does this). Instead he tinkers around in Photoshop to correct the image for all of the shortcomings of his office space and equipment.
After patiently waiting for 20 minutes and then enduring 15 minutes of his offensive and condescending behavior I decided to leave without any photos. I suggested that he could learn how to treat people better and he snapped back that I was the problem because his Unilocal reviews were great. Well, you can have a read for yourself and see that I am far from the first person to take issue with him.
Don’t risk it.

Honestly, don’t bother. It’s not worth the time to get to or money. I went here and after being disappointed with the quality and price of my photos, I went to Walgreens and got much higher quality ones.

Great place. Needed pics for an Irish passport. Knew what he was doing, high quality, quick, and happy with the value. Would highly recommend.

he really DOES take a better passport photo. I had one taken at Walgreens out of desperation but disliked it as the lighting made me look older and grayer than I am. I decided to make another attempt with A Better Passport photo — glad I did, as I still don’t look 20 years old anymore, but I think I can live with that photo for the next 10 years.

WARNING: Don’t ever take US passport photos or any photos here! I only went to this place because of high Unilocal ratings but it was a huge mistake. I should’ve paid closer attention to 1-​star reviews because what other people say badly about this place are all true.
He uses amateur point-​and-​shoot camera, prints it on low-​end printer and the photos come out shitty. I was forced to pay for the photos even before they were done. Also the guy is hella racist and asked me if I was gonna celebrate Chinese New Year’s just because I’m Asian. WTF.

I love this guy: he is super-​competent, fast and kind. I rushed in as he opened one day a few months ago, half an hour before my appointment with the Russian visa service in SOMA. (I know.) There was already a line of six people. After clearing it with everybody, Marvin helped me first. I was out the door in ten minutes, made my appointment with the correct photos, and got my visa, yay.
Takeaways: he is super-​busy so try to allow time for waiting. He is extremely familiar with country-​specific requirements. He speaks multiple languages. His photos are good and his prices fair. And he’s a really, really nice guy, which is especially appreciated when you’re navigating bureaucracy :)

A fast and easy experience, and better photos as promised! This great little shop was easy to get to and find during my lunch break, and we were in and out in minutes. Photos looked great and we got our passports quickly. Thanks!

Marvin was friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. My fingerprinting process went smoothly and he helped out with the form which I didn’t have with me at the time. Thanks sir!

My passport application was rejected because my ears weren’t showing on my passport photo. They should have caught this when my picture was taken.
I suggest just getting your passport photos done at Walgreen’s instead.

The guy is smart, fast and cheap compared to other places. $ 15 for 2 2x2s, and $ 20 for 4. It’s a small shop but he gets you in and out quickly. $ 1 charge for credit cards.
This is on the 6^th floor.

On the surface it’s just a guy with a camera, computer & printer. But he really knows his stuff and gets you exactly the photos you need, depending on the passport/​visa you’re ordering.
On a Monday afternoon I was in & out in less than 10 minutes.
Simple, knowledgeable, efficient. Five stars.

BEST PASSPORT PHOTO PLACE. I got 8 copies passport photo in Walgreen before I can to A better passport photo. Walgreen price is over $ 100. AND photos is not good, so I come to A better passport photo retake that.
I like a better passport photo. and I will go the there again.

Fast, effortless and professional experience.
I went on a Monday afternoon, there was only one other person. I was in and out in 10 minutes.
The guy is much more knowledgeable than your local drugstore staff (I spent 20 minutes trying to explain my requirements to a Walgreens salesperson next door with no avail).
Yes, the camera is a point and shoot — doesn’t matter, it’s a passport photo. Its resolution is more than enough to fulfill your needs. Print was on a photo quality paper. The image was crisp and clear.

Yes — it was fast. I was in and out in 10 minutes. Be warned that there is a $ 1 for using credit cards, so bring your $ 15 in cash.
Also, as an added bonus, they keep your passport pic on file — so incase you need a pic for a visa (and many countries are requiring photos for visas today) you can just call them up and have them send it to you.
As a tip, don’t smile on your passport pic. The USA doesn’t mind smiles, but many countries won’t accept visa pics with a smile. I smiled anyway. I’m going to be looking at my passport for the next 10 years, I wanted to make certain it’s a happy picture of me.

Thank god places like this exist. International passport photo requirements can be super strict and ones that I had ordered online (guaranteed to work) got rejected so I was just wondering why I didn’t go here to begin with.
Took 10 minutes total including friendly service.

My boss had to renew his Irish passport. Irish passport photo specs are different than US passport photo specs. Someone from the office found this place and I am glad.
Marvin was super friendly, and knowledgeable about passport requirements from various countries. He made the experience painless.
The place is fairly small so call ahead to make sure there isn’t a big family in queue.