Tag: best economical way of getting the passport photo

4 places to keep your passport safe

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

How is it that the most important documents of our lives are the same size as a candy bar? Shouldn’t they be the size of a wall to match the weight of their importance? If you’re suffering from a scattered brain before an international flight, you might be even more anxious about bringing your passport because you’re aware of the very real possibility of losing it. That means you’ll want to keep your passport and other important documents in a place you’ll never forget about – such documents include spare passport photos which you should have with you while traveling in the event of an emergency. Here are our top four places to keep your passport.

1. An ankle wallet

Long gone are the days of fanny packs (and good riddance). Now there are ankle wallets you can wear under your clothes, not only assuring that your passport will be safe and sound, but that it’s physically attached to you. So instead of looking like your nanny at an amusement park, you can travel on the sly like Sean Connery as James Bond.

2. A workout band

Not only is this a handy way to store your phone, but you can go even more incognito by slipping your passport behind it in a flexible arm band. The best part about this method is its breathability. Where an ankle wallet may weigh you down and cause you to perspire, which is probably no good if you’re planning a hike up to Machu Picchu, an arm band is usually designed with breathable material.

3. Sew a special patch in your wallet or purse

If you’ve traveled a lot, you know that you should only own one wallet or purse that you use expressly for your adventures. Especially if you’re the “designated mule” who’s in charge of everyone’s stuff! If you’re opposed to carrying your passport or other important items as physical extensions, we recommend you sew a brightly colored patch into your purse or wallet (depending on its size). The action of creating this will definitely leave an impression, and if you chose a nice bright neon or deep red, then you will surely never forget it!

4. Shelling out a book

Ever seen those cute, wooden chests that look exactly like a book? Bring a spare book or Bible and hide the one in your hotel. Arm yourself with an X-Acto knife and cut out a small chunk of the pages, as large as you want, that can fit all of your important items: keys, cellphone, tickets, spare passport photos and, of course, your passport itself. If your hotel room is ever broken in to while you’re on vacation, this cool trick helps conceal your passport and important documents.

Congrats on getting married, now go update your passport!

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

The color scheme was perfect, everyone loved the food, and even the bridesmaids liked their dresses! All in all, your wedding was pretty much everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Now all you have to do is grab your luggage, head to the airport and get to your tropical hideaway for the best week of your life – the honeymoon. Now since your driver’s license and other forms of ID are still in your maiden name, your passport that still identifies you under your maiden name will be just fine for the honeymoon, but every international foray you embark on after that, you’ve got some work to do.

First of all, any time you have legally gone through a name change for reasons like marriage, divorce, or a court ordered name change, you have to go through the process of getting a new passport. Depending on how long it has been since your existing passport was issued, the cost to do so will vary. If your existing passport is less than a year old, you’re in luck: no passport processing fees are required. If it’s been more than a year, you might be eligible to use Form DS-82.

What is Form DS-82?

The ‘DS’ in Form DS-82 stands for Department of State, the government department that oversees United States citizen international travel and overall diplomacy. Not everyone is eligible to use Form DS-82, the form can only be used if the following criteria can be met:

• You are able to produce your most recent passport
• You were 16 years of age or older when you were issued your most recent passport
• Your most recent passport is less than 15 years old
• Your most recent passport was not physically damaged
• You use the same name as the name on your most recent passport, OR you have changed your legal name by marriage or court order, AND can produce proper original documentation to support the name change

If you are not eligible to use Form DS-82, the process of obtaining a new passport is much more tedious. The first step is to submit Form DS-11 in person at an applicable U.S. Passport facility. In addition to Form DS-11, you must provide:

• Evidence of United States citizenship
• An certified or original name change document
• Valid identification document
• A color passport photo

Who ever knew that getting married was so much work?!

Tips for dressing for a passport photo

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

It can be tempting to look your best for your passport photo – after all, these photos will likely follow you for years to come, so it makes sense that you’d want to look as stylish as possible! However, it’s important to ensure that your pursuit of style does not get in the way of the photo itself.

Here are some tips to make the most out of your passport pictures while still keeping things easy and practical. Follow these and you will be on your way in no time, passport in hand.

1. If possible, leave the glasses off

The lenses of your glasses can cover your eyes, cast shadows over your face, or catch a glare from the camera lens. To make sure that your face is not obscured when your passport photos are taken, leave the glasses off.

2. Don’t wear distracting prints

You’ll want to wear clothing that you wear on a daily basis – something that looks like “you”. However, try to keep the prints and colors of your clothing as low key as possible, so they do not distract from the most important part of the picture – your face!

3. On the other hand, avoid wearing white

If you’re getting your passport photo professionally done, chances are that you will be standing in front of a white or off-white background. You don’t want to blend into the background, so make sure you wear something colorful (but not TOO colorful, as you can see above!).

4. Avoid hats and other head coverings

Hats, scarves, helmets, earmuffs, and other head coverings should not be worn when taking your passport photo. Not only can they be bulky and distracting, but they can also cast a shadow over your face and make your features difficult to see.

5. Don’t wear jewelry

Jewelry – particularly necklaces and earrings – can catch the glare of a camera lens and ruin your passport photo. As pretty as they may be, leave your accessories at home – or save them to wear on your trip after your passport has been approved!

Photo: Glasses by jeffbr13 licensed under Creative commons 2

Why you might want a second passport

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

You may be surprised to learn that you could qualify for a second passport in addition to your American passport. More and more Americans are eligible for multiple passports because of their ethnic heritage, parents or grandparents, religion or spouse’s birthplace. Sure, to get another passport you will need to apply and get a new set of passport photos taken, but there are some reasons it could actually be a great idea to get another passport if you can.

You can more easily work in another country

Especially if one of your passports belongs to a European Union country, you will have a much easier time working abroad without restrictions.

You can hide where you’ve been

If you ever find yourself traveling to different countries that don’t have a good relationship with each other (i.e. Israel and Arab countries), you will probably be safer and in a better position if you don’t have to advertise that fact at customs.

You don’t want to be identified as an American right away

It’s no secret that many other countries have stereotypical views of American travelers, so not having to show your American passport on a plane can be a good way to get around those biases – or at least, let people give you a chance before you reveal your American citizenship.

You may be able to get cheaper visas or other discounts

For example, visas are cheaper for New Zealanders than Americans, while you may qualify for other travel-related discounts depending on the type of passport you have and where you’re going.

A second passport may be useful if your government is in conflict with another country

Especially if restrictions are placed on where citizens can travel, your second passport may get you out of a bind, or simply make it easier to visit countries that could otherwise be off-limits to you.

Ultimately, having a second passport can make the world more open to you, which is never a bad thing. Plus, you can easily check off the first step of your application by getting your passport pictures taken on our website.

4 tips that will help you beat the passport rush

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Did you know that 2016 is expected to be a landmark year for passport applications? It’s true, and it has to do with a ten year-old decision that requires Americans to have a passport for travel to Canada and Mexico. Back in 2006, passport applications hit the 17 million mark and now they’re expiring, numbers are expected to surge up to 20 million or more this year. So, whether you are looking to travel to one of our neighboring countries, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, one question rises to the surface: how can I beat the rush?

The good news is there are a few strategies you can use to make sure you get your travel documents in order in record time. Take a quick look and save yourself a mountain of hassle.

1. Apply by mail

One great way to cut down on time spent in line is to just avoid the lines all together and apply on the internet. It will take less time and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Who could ask for more?

2. Try an expedited request

For an extra $60 you can put in an expedited request, which will automatically put your application at the top of the stack. The only downside is, you will need to visit the passport office in person. Is an hour spent queuing worth a few weeks saved on your application? You decide.

3. Make an appointment

If you do decide to head into the passport office for an expedited request, your best bet is to set an appointment, so you don’t find yourself waiting behind all of the other walk-ins. This way, you’ll be in and out in no time.

4. Get a professional passport photo taken

Believe it or not, passport photos can get rejected, which, needless to say, can put a major kink in your travel plans. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, get a professional photo taken. This can help ensure your application gets accepted first time round.

Photo: US Passport by Damian613 licensed under Creative commons 2