New proposal to have all passport photos taken at same local authority processing passport applications causes concern for photography shops

Photography dealerships across the country risk closing in great numbers if a current bill is passed by parliament.

The bill would require that all passport photos from 2011 are taken by citizen advice centres run by local administrations rather than photography studios, due to tighter EU rules regarding passport photos.

Poul Erik Pedersen, head of the Danish Photo Retailers Association, warned that if passed, the legislation could lead to 60 percent of photo shops having to close due to lack of business.

Photographer Knud Erik Ulstrup runs his own photography business in Hedensted, Jutland. He worried the new legislation would deprive him of many customers.

‘Passport photos make up 30 percent of my turnover, so it wouldn’t be too good,’ Ulstrup told public broadcaster DR.

Ulstrup also predicted a drop in the number of portrait customers, who often come back to his shop after getting their passport photos taken.

Peter Skaarup, chairman of the parliamentary justice committee, said that the proposal will make it easier for those applying for passports, but that concerns raised by the photography industry must be addressed to avoid anti-competitive practices.