Driver's license passport photo at Guri Image Shot photo studio

It's such a busy September lately. September 20th has already passed. That's 2/3 of the month gone, sob sob, time really flies. This time I went to my go-to makeup shop for makeup and then hit up a photo studio!

(I'll post the makeup review later!) I went to Image Shot Photo Studio in Guri, my neighborhood, to get ID and passport photos taken — want to see the review? I blurred my face in the thumbnail, but at the end of the post I'll show the unblurred ID photo, haha.

A place near Guri Market known for great ID photos — Guri Image Shot Photo Studio, visited by people of all ages.

Why a driver's license renewal photo follows passport photo specs

So apparently the photo spec for driver's license renewal changed from a regular ID photo to a passport-style photo!? That's why I went to Guri Image Shot to get a passport-style photo taken. I just turned thirty this year, and since I got my license at twenty... it's exactly the age for renewal.

(Also, it's second-half hiring season, so I went partly to get files for job applications too, haha.)

Guri Image Shot Photo Studio has two entrances

Guri Image Shot Photo Studio has two entrances! Since it's on the basement level of the Yeonggang Building, you can come in through whichever is more convenient — the front entrance on the main street or the back entrance toward Doldari intersection.

First, the entrance close to Doldari intersection! This is the back entrance, located next to Orenz.

The front entrance is on the main street facing Guri Market. It's between Poke All Day and Shoals~ There's a big Image Shot banner so it's easy to find, haha.

Waiting room and changing room: touch up your makeup first

Coming in through the front entrance of Guri Image Shot Photo Studio, you enter through this door.

Then right on your right you'll see this space that doubles as a waiting room and makeup touch-up area!

The yellow door right to the left of the waiting room turned out to be the changing room~ If you'd like to change outfits before your shoot, you can come to Image Shot and change there!

*They said suit rental is available for job application photos! 👍

I fixed my hair here as soon as I arrived, haha. I got my makeup and hair done in Apgujeong, but it was so windy on the way over that I had to touch it up a bit 😓 And lastly I added a bit more lip and touched up my baby hairs too! If you're getting ID or passport photos at Image Shot, I'd recommend coming with time to spare so you can tidy up a bit before going in for the shoot~

Shooting in the detail-retouching room: which expression works?

Guri Image Shot Photo Studio has two shooting rooms — one standard, and one with detail retouching. I shot in the retouching room, and following the photographer's directions, we quickly got several versions: neutral expression, slight smile, eyes with a bit more intensity plus a smile, haha.

I visited on a Saturday, and it was pretty crowded~ Literally all ages, in the truest sense! Students were there for ID photos or resident registration card photos, and older folks were getting passport photos! Some people were even getting profile shots for job applications!! The retouching room seemed to be used mostly for women, haha.

Retouching, KakaoTalk files and paying with the Guri Sarang Card

There was a short wait while the photos were transferred to the PC. Image Shot lets you receive files easily via KakaoTalk! And since they accept the Guri Sarang Card (a Gyeonggi regional currency), it's perfect for Guri residents whenever they need photos taken~

I picked my favorite from several shots while looking at the PC screen. The ones with slightly more intense eyes and a soft smile definitely came out prettiest, haha. If you're reading this before your own visit, follow the photographer's direction for expressions well, haha.

The retouching — need I say more; they did it so tastefully 🥹 Looking at the finished retouched version, I had no further requests, haha. They balanced the symmetry so well and retouched it so nicely that I bet a lot of teens visit here too, haha. (Actually my eyes are a bit uneven, but they smoothed that out perfectly👍)

The finished ID photo and the studio's photo zone

Doesn't it look so neat and pretty, both the shot and the retouching!? They made my hair look tidy too, which I loved even more 🩷

There's also a photo zone, so after your shoot, you can grab an Instagram-story-worthy shot here too~!

I took one here and showed it off on my story too. Posting just a plain ID photo on Instagram feels a bit awkward and embarrassing, right? haha. All in all, it was a refreshing outing where I also got a photo I really liked!

How long a weekend visit takes, and booking ahead

I booked for 4pm but arrived a bit early. I got there around 3:40pm, and since there were already a lot of other customers, my shoot happened just after 4pm, and I got the printed photo around 4:30pm.

I'd recommend booking ahead if you're visiting on a weekend~ but even walking in doesn't seem to take too long. Everyone there is so professional that things move along smoothly, haha 👍 Hope this was useful info for anyone looking for a photo studio in Guri.