The 5 go-to places to get your passport photos done right in Melbourne
When taking photos, we all want our best angle taken — even in passports. And I’m so over with my ID photos looking like mugshots, so I took matters into my own hands.
When I needed a passport photo, I didn’t just settle for one studio. I am not gonna let an unflattering photo haunt me for a whole decade, so I tried a few passport photo services in Melbourne to find out which ones I can trust next time.
And lucky for me, I discovered these gems that provided neat, confident, but government-approved photos.
How much does it cost to get passport photos in Melbourne?
Photo labs and studios in Melbourne usually charge between $15 and $25 for passport photos.
1. Pro Lab
Address: 209 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
Phone: +61398260391
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
- Saturday, 9:30 AM–4 PM
Pro Lab is a well-known photo lab that operates in several locations in Melbourne, and it offers general photography services, including passport photos and printing, film processing, and development/printing.
They provide both on-site and online lab services, so remote orders are also accepted in some branches: you’ll just have to upload your photo and place your order online.
For passport or ID photos specifically, Pro Lab mostly handles walk-in requests. And they’re pretty capable of producing high-quality prints.
Pro Lab’s services are on a professional level, and they have great facilities, so even if demand rises, they lean on automation and staff support. Although I must say that the experience is not always the same in all branches.
Their reliability is impressive. During my visit, it was a little crowded, but they were able to get my request done within minutes. So, it’s safe to say that they can be an ideal option if you need a go-to shop, especially if time is short.
Great
“I have experienced excellent service and results from Pro Lab and can highly recommend them! I have had passport photos taken here, as well as making copies and enlarging some old photos. They saved me once by sending a digital copy of a print I had done. Big thanks to the team for their great work!”
Morgan Munro, Google Reviews
Big thanks
“Thank you for the beautiful set of old portraits you printed for me. I appreciate the help you gave me to select the appropriate fine art paper and your professional advice about the appropriate size, tone, etc. I have been coming to you for all sorts of things photographic for years. Your high standard of work, from passport photos to large-scale fine art printing, is rare these days.”
Ilona, Google Reviews
2. Panda Photography Studio
Address: Level 2/115 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Phone: +61426135888
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
- Saturday, 10 AM–5:30 PM
Panda Photography does mostly general photography services, including passport photos, where they guarantee that they adhere to government international standards for passport/visa photos.
Walk-ins and bookings are both accepted in their studio, and they also have multiple branches in Victoria.
What really impressed me the most about the studio is their retake guarantee. Meaning, if ever your photo is rejected by the passport authority, they’ll redo it for free. In fact, many customers come here for reshoots after getting photos elsewhere and being rejected. Although in this particular case, they’ll charge their regular rate.
Also, they take a lot of shots, so you’ll have multiple options to choose from.
In my experience, the studio’s services are great. The process was smooth and quick; the shoot and printing were done in just a few minutes.
However, it would be greatly appreciated if the pricing and inclusions were more upfront, since they usually just disclose them at check-out.
Best
“Highly recommended if you want to have the best passport photo in your life. My photographer was very helpful and knowledgeable. The whole process took about 1 hour. I have received many compliments for my photo. I’m so glad I found this place!’
Charlotte T, Google Reviews
This is the place
“The best place to get your Passport Photos. You can get your photo taken or use any storage media, or email the photos. Very friendly and quick to get your photos. I would recommend this studio since there is no other nearby. The price is right for the service. Thumbs Up.”
SKDroid Droid, Google Reviews
3. Photo Barn
Address: 128 South Parade, Blackburn
Phone: +61398020400
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
- Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM
Photo Barn is also a photo lab offering full photography services, including passport photos. The shop has over 50 years of experience, so high-quality and expert service is assured.
For passport photos, Photo Barn can handle both national and international-sized formats, providing both hard and digital copies. Just make sure you bring up-to-date requirements for your international passport photos.
Plus, they’re reliable in taking children’s passport photos, including newborns.
But since they also provide other services, such as framing, editing, scanning, etc., they take a little longer to develop/print the photos, but it’s not really a long wait. Mine was processed in under an hour, and the photos came out great.
Plus, they’re always prompt and available to take care of urgent needs.
Fantastic
“An absolutely fantastic place to get things printed. The staff are knowledgeable and patient. We have done newborn passport photos, which turned out great, and had some professional studio photos printed here using their online service. Highly recommend this super friendly shop.”
Andrew Robertson, Google Reviews
Highly recommended
“Very professional and good service, particularly if you are looking for photos – infant passport size. I had a few issues with the digital copy, but nevertheless, they were prompt and available to provide a resolution.”
Jomy Johny, Google Reviews
4. Xpress Images
Address: Target Point Cook, Shop 322 Stockland (Near, 2 Main St, Point Cook
Phone: +61383531854
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5:30 PM
- Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM
Xpress Images offers a range of photography services, including framing, printing, etc. Passport photos are one of their specialty services, which includes national and international passport photos, Australian Visa and citizenship photos, and international Visa photos.
Plus, they do newborn, infant, and children’s passport photos as well.
If you can’t visit their shop, you can just upload your image to their website and pick up the printed photos when they’re ready, and you can get a soft copy as well.
However, for soft copies, they don’t send the images by email, and customers are required to bring their own flash drive.
And if ever the photos they took get rejected, customers are welcome to come back for a reshoot free of charge. Just bring the receipt and original photos for validation.
At Xpress Images, they were very friendly and hands-on, especially when dealing with baby passport photos. Not to mention the photos were done in just a short while.
I highly recommend this place!
“We took our 3-week-old baby girl to have her passport photo taken, and I’m glad I found XpressImages —the staff are professional and know exactly how to hold my baby, making the process quick and easy. Timing is crucial to capture the right angle and facial expression for babies.”
Shreyank Tivari, Google Reviews
I highly recommend!
“Amazing service and friendly staff. I walked in, hoping I could get my passport photos done today, and I did. I really appreciated how caring and accommodating the lady was, even though it was past the time that they stopped taking photos for the day. I also like how she clarified what document I was taking a photo of to help meet the requirements.”
Nadine, Google Reviews
5. Photobee
Address: 161 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern
Phone: +61395009222
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
- Saturday, 9 AM–4 PM
- Sunday, 10 AM–2 PM
Photobee offers passport photo services for both adults and kids using great equipment and techniques for accuracy.
For passport/visa photos, Photobee uses professional ring lighting and biometric software compliance checks to ensure that the photos meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. Plus, they are capable of handling over 280 ID formats for more than 87 countries.
Photobee’s services are quick and reliable. In my experience, the whole session only took 20 minutes, and the photos were of great quality.
And along with the photos, they’ll also provide a certificate of compliance with ICAO standards. This guarantees acceptance, but in case the photos get rejected, you can come back to them for a remake for free.
Since Photobee uses high-quality printing materials and premium finishes, expect their prints and services to be more expensive than others.
Great work
“I have got the passport photo here, and the quality of the photo is the best in Melbourne! The photo is clear and of very high quality of the pic and I think because they used a very good camera. And the price is great, not overcharging. Very happy. Will definitely go back there for other things as well.”
Clair MT, Google Reviews
Nice
“I got my passport photo done here, I actually came back twice because I wanted to have options 🙂 My last passport photo was so bad that I really wanted a nice photo this time. I found Photobee to be the only place with a ring light for passport photos. Ring lights make a world of difference! Highly recommend getting your passport photo done here.”
Alexandra Lenon, Google Reviews