Online ePhoto or photo booth: choose the right option

Your phone, an equipped booth or a photographer: compare three different experiences after checking the format required by your French application.

Direct answer

A Photomaton booth provides an on-site guided experience. An approved photographer gives personalised help in person. Studio ePhoto lets you prepare the capture in a compatible phone browser where you are. Choose according to the required format, your mobility, the guidance you need and the displayed price.

In this guide8 sections

Official sources checked on .

01 · Check

Start with the format required by your application.

The form tells you whether it expects an ePhoto number, a printed photograph or a digital file. Identify this first, then compare the available services.

ePhoto number

A compatible online procedure

An approved booth or photographer can supply the number. Studio ePhoto prepares the photo and signature, carries out its checks and then submits the request to its ePhoto provider.

Printed photo

A physical item

Choose a booth or photographer able to provide the prints required for filing the application.

Digital file

An image to upload

Follow the dimensions, format and maximum file size stated by the receiving authority.

The deciding rule

Choose the format written in your form: an ePhoto code, a digital file or a paper photo.

02 · Compare

Phone, booth or photographer: three different forms of guidance.

Compare the location, help provided, delivered format, displayed price and retake conditions before choosing.

On your phone

Studio ePhoto

The journey opens in a compatible browser. You prepare the capture in your own environment, and a person reviews the photo before provider submission.

  • Location: where you are
  • Guidance: on-screen instructions and technical checks
  • Output: photo-signature preparation for an ePhoto request
  • Price: €5.99 including VAT, no subscription
Open Studio ePhoto
On site

Photomaton booth

The booth provides an equipped space and an on-screen guided journey. Select the product matching your procedure.

  • Location: an equipped booth
  • Guidance: on-screen steps
  • Output: prints, signature and ePhoto number depending on the product
  • Indicative published price checked on 20 September 2026: €8; the price may vary
Find an approved booth
With a professional

Approved photographer

The photographer welcomes you on site and adapts their instructions to the capture and requested output.

  • Location: studio or retail premises
  • Guidance: personalised human advice
  • Output: prints and/or ePhoto code depending on the offer
  • Price: ask the professional before the session
Find an approved photographer
Useful comparison

The cheapest option is only useful if it supplies exactly what your application asks for.

03 · Remote

Studio ePhoto opens on a compatible phone.

With a compatible phone, a sufficient connection and an available service, you can prepare the capture without depending on equipment in your town.

Rural area

Away from urban centres

Start from home without first travelling to find an equipped booth.

Home

Choose your environment

Select a quiet room, even lighting and a suitable plain background.

Mobility

When going out is difficult

Stay at home and ask someone to hold the phone or prepare the space.

Timing

When you are ready

Open the browser journey when your day gives you enough time for a careful capture.

Your phone becomes the starting point for a digital photo-signature only for procedures that accept this format.

04 · Get help

At home with a child or when travelling is difficult.

A phone can make planning easier, but suitability still depends on the person’s situation and the format requested by the application.

Child · DCEM

An adult supervises; only the child appears

A parent or legal representative may hold the phone. Their face, arms and hands must stay outside the frame. A calm moment allows several attempts.

Read the DCEM guide
Mobility · Disability

Adapt the setup

A helper may hold the phone, adjust its height or prepare the background and light. The service may not suit every situation; check the useful adaptations first.

Read the accessible photo guide
Human review before any code request

After payment, a person reviews the prepared photo and either approves it internally or asks for a new capture before submission. This reduces visible mistakes but cannot guarantee acceptance by the authority.

05 · Prepare

Prepare your appearance and space before the capture.

At home you can choose your moment without rushing. The face must still look natural, recognisable and fully visible.

Clothing

Choose what you wear

Wear something comfortable while keeping the face and neck clearly visible.

Space

Set up the background and light

Use a plain light-coloured background other than white, light the face from the front and place the phone at eye level.

Help

Ask someone to hold the phone

More distance reduces the distortion caused by a very close selfie.

Attempts

Try again before paying

Retake the photo if it is blurred, dark or the expression is unsuitable.

Appearance

Hair, make-up and glasses

Keep the eyes and facial outline visible, avoid appearance-changing effects and prevent glare on glasses.

Accessories

Remove anything covering the face

Disable filters and effects that visibly change the image.

06 · On site

A Photomaton booth is a straightforward on-site option.

Go to an equipped location, choose the product matching your procedure and follow the instructions on screen.

The Photomaton page checked on 20 September 2026 displayed an indicative ePhoto price of €8. It can vary by booth and product; the price shown at the point of sale applies.

Step 1

Locate

Use the official Service-Public tool to find an approved booth nearby.

Step 2

Choose

Select the ePhoto, identity or visa product for the document you are preparing.

Step 3

Follow the screen

The booth guides positioning, capture and selection of the available output.

07 · Studio ePhoto

For €5.99 including VAT, the journey prepares the code request.

The price covers online photo and signature preparation and checks before submission to the provider for a compatible procedure.

01

Guided capture

Directly in a compatible browser on your phone, with no app to install.

02

Preparation

Instructions and certain technical checks guide you before payment.

03

Signature

The signature is prepared in the same journey to form the digital photo-signature.

04

Human review

After payment, a person reviews the photo before anything is sent to the ePhoto provider.

Delivered result

Studio ePhoto does not provide paper prints or a file intended for unrestricted printing. Technical checks before payment and human review after payment are separate stages.

08 · Decide

Choose according to your needs and the required output.

The right option is the one you are comfortable using and that delivers the exact format requested by the application.

Studio ePhoto

You want to prepare the photo where you are

Use your phone, choose your moment and prepare the capture in your own environment.

Start on my phone
Photomaton

You prefer an equipped booth

Travel to a booth, select the appropriate product and follow the on-screen journey.

Open the official locator
Photographer

You want personalised advice in person

An approved professional guides the capture and supplies the outputs included in their offer.

Find an approved photographer

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to the questions that matter.

01What should I choose if my application asks for both a code and printed photos?

Choose a product that clearly includes both before paying. Some booths and photographers provide prints together with an ePhoto number depending on the product. Studio ePhoto does not supply paper prints.

02Do I need an appointment to use Studio ePhoto?

No. Open the journey in a compatible browser when you are ready. You can prepare your clothing, hair, lighting and background before you start.

03How can I find a booth or photographer approved for ePhoto?

Use the official locator linked by Service-Public. It lists approved photographers and booths so that you can check nearby options before travelling.

04Can Studio ePhoto be used for a French ID card or passport?

No. Studio ePhoto supplies an ePhoto code service. For a French ID card or passport, follow the official procedure requiring a photograph to be presented when the application is filed at the town hall.

05Does a child always sign a DCEM in the same way?

No. For a DCEM, the applicant signs when the child is under 7. From age 7, the child signs and the parent may guide them. Also follow the instructions shown in the application.

06Can an ePhoto code be used for several applications?

No. The code is intended for one application. Keep it until that application has been confirmed.

ePhoto guidance

Prepare your photo and signature, then submit your application through the official portal.