Tag: Guide to taking a passport photo

Where can I get baby passport photos taken?

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

When you are traveling domestically or abroad with a baby or child, the passport photos are often the only government issued photographic identification parents have for their children. Baby passport photos have a reputation for being a challenge to parents, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Yes, it is true that all passport photos must adhere to the requirements set forth by the United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. With the rare exception for newborns, a baby passport photo and child passport photo must meet the same requirements as an adult passport picture. Getting baby passport photos taken can be a stress-free experience.

Where can I get baby passport photos taken?

Our advice: take the baby passport photo yourself. Babies tend to be fussy with strangers. Even the Duchess of Cambridge chose to have a family member take the first released photograph of Prince George. Take a tip from the Duchess and treat your baby like a royal: take the baby passport photo yourself. With Paspic.com, you have the freedom to submit several baby passport pictures to ensure the passport photo meets the Passport Agency’s requirements.

Why take baby passport photos yourself?

There are two main advantages to taking the baby passport picture yourself: it’s convenient and relatively stress-free. You have the convenience to take the passport photos on the baby’s schedule. This eliminates the stress and expense of keeping an appointment with a professional photographer. Parents can easily meet the requirements for a baby passport. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

What are the regulations for a baby passport photo?

The United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs outlines the requirements for passport photos. The general requirements include: front facing, neutral expression, eyes open, white background, full face visible. The baby passport photo must show a clear, shadow-free image of the baby in a front facing position with the full face visible, and without its head tilted or rotated to the side. No shadows, no motion blur, and no exaggerated expressions are permitted. The background of the baby passport photo cannot have a parent or car seat holding the baby up. The baby cannot have its hands near the face (or in the photograph.) The baby cannot have a foreign object, such as a blanket, toy, or pacifier, in the photo.

The Passport Agency only makes one exception for passport photos: newborns can be photographed without fully opened eyes. Other than that one exception, a baby passport photo and child passport photo must meet the Department of State’s passport photo guidelines. If your baby is older than 28 days, don’t gamble with the passport picture regulations. Take your baby passport photo yourself and trust Paspic.com to find an approved passport picture.

Keep the baby passport photograph a experience stress-free by taking the baby passport photo yourself.

Passport safety tips when traveling

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Most people only remember to check their passport when they have an upcoming trip. If it is close to the expiry date, you ought to take current passport pictures and make an application for renewal. While your passport is safe at home, what steps should you take to secure your passport when traveling?

Passport safety tips when traveling

Make some copies

Although you will use the original passport, there is no harm in making copies and carrying one or two with you. In the unfortunate event that you lose your passport in transit, you can use the copy to prove that you have a valid passport. The copy may not have an original passport photo, but it is enough to provide identification before you can consult the nearest US embassy.

Keep it with you or locked up

Many travelers assume that, since they are staying in an expensive hotel, there are minimal chances of losing their valuables. You should not make such an assumption. It is better to have the passport on you or securely locked when you have to leave your hotel room.

Protect it

Taking good care of your passport does not just entail keeping it safe. You ought to take great care to ensure that you protect it from the elements. The best way of protecting your passport is by keeping it in a weather-proof pocket to prevent water damage. Moisture is likely to destroy your passport photo, making it harder to identify you.

Learn about your rights

While visiting a foreign country, you need to know where you are required to provide your passport and where you do not have to present it. If you know your rights, you will avoid falling for the tricks of scammers that want your details to rob you. Apart from the airport and when booking into the hotel, few other places will insist on the production of your passport.

If you are unfortunate enough to lose your passport in a foreign country, the first step is to report the loss at the local police station. You should then ask for directions to the nearest embassy or consulate to seek further assistance.

Photo: My Passport by bryansblog licensed under Creative commons 2

Major problems to avoid with baby passport photos

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Baby passport photos, and to a lesser extend all child passport photos, tend towards certain major headaches which inevitably lead to frustrated days at the photo booth, delays on receiving your passport, and outright rejections of your application. To avert these problems, it’s crucial to know about them in advance so you can take appropriate measures.

Other people in the picture

Perhaps the most common mistake made when taking baby passport photos: no other person is allowed in the picture. This can make photos somewhat difficult to take under photo booth conditions, but it’s non-negotiable – you cannot be in the picture with your baby.

Unapproved headgear

The vast majority of headgear, from hats to sunglasses, will result inevitably in your passport photos being rejected. There are very clear exceptions outlined for religious or medical needs – if you’re going to be taking advantage of these exceptions, make sure you’re 100% clear on the requirements.

Other obstructions of the face

Along the same lines as the hats and sunglasses problem, anything else that might get in between the camera and your baby’s face is a no-go as well. That includes pacifiers, scarves, and any number of other potential obstructions. You want a clear shot without anything to possibly complicate the approval process.

Non-neutral expressions.

A very common problem with baby passport photos, and one of the most difficult to overcome in many circumstances. If your baby is crying, laughing hard, or making any other major facial expression which might distort and obscure his or her features, you run the risk of having your passport photos rejected. Getting a tranquil expression can be quite a chore, but it’s a necessity.

To avoid most of these problems, or at least make them easier to deal with, using your own camera at home in combination with a passport photo service, such as Paspic, is often the easiest solution. You can take the picture on your own terms, on your own schedule – and you only need one perfect moment to grab the perfect picture. Compare that with trying to get the same results in a booth in a potentially crowded area, and you can see the advantage.