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4 tips for keeping your passport safe

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

When you’re traveling abroad, keeping your passport safe while still having it accessible is extremely important. You’ve taken the time to take the proper passport photos, send in your application and get your passport sent to you, and you don’t want to have to repeat that whole process from abroad. Here are some general rules of thumb for how to store your passport in different situations:

1. Keep it your person. If you’re in a situation where you’ll need access to your passport (such as at the airport or when crossing the border) you should keep your passport as close to you as possible. In an airport, this may simply mean in a handbag or in a small compartment of your backpack or carry-on, while other situations may require you to be even more careful, such as hiding it in a money belt underneath your clothing.

2. Leave it at your hotel when you can. When you’re spending the day sightseeing, it’s much safer to not bring your passport with you. Pickpockets are everywhere, and you may not even notice it’s gone until the end of the day. It’s better to keep your passport in your hotel room safe, or in another locked bag, or otherwise hidden away in your hotel room.

3. Don’t let it out of your sight while in transit. If you have your passport in your bag and you’re traveling on a bus or train (or even an airplane), make sure your bag doesn’t end up in a storage compartment under the vehicle, in a separate luggage compartment, or somewhere else out of your sight.

4. Make photocopies. If you’re using your passport as identification while traveling, or you need access to your passport picture for some reason, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to bring your physical passport with you. Often while traveling abroad, a photocopy of your passport will be sufficient for low-security ID checks like bars or museums.

If something does happen to your passport, or if you need to get a new one for some reason, it isn’t the end of the world. You can always use Paspic get new passport pictures taken and we’ll help you get it taken care of.

Photo: Safe by rpongsaj licensed under Creative commons 2

Beyond the passport: a travelers checklist

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Accommodations, check. Transportation, check. Passport, check. Some travelers think that those three ingredients are all the preparation one needs before embarking on a trip. Savvy travelers know the traveler’s checklist includes more boxes to tick off to ensure smooth travels. Amateur travelers and professionals can always benefit from a handy reference guide to international travel, so bookmark our smart traveler’s checklist for quick and easy access.

Learn about your destination

Visit the state department’s website to research your destination. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs and be sure to review the country’s policy on passports. Although the United States will allow you to re-enter the country until the date your passport expires, some countries require your passport to allot an exit date at least six months prior to the expiration date on your passport.

Obtain required documents

In addition to a passport, some countries might require a visa. Again, you can refer to the state department’s website to verify your entry documents. If you are on medication, request a letter from your physician outlining the medications that you are bringing. Be aware: some countries have very strict policies on entering the country with drugs, even over-the-counter medications. Review your destination’s drug policy. Also, if you are traveling with minor children, your destination might require custody documents or written consent from the absent parent. The destination’s embassy can advise you on the particulars.

Plan for health emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency, will your insurance provide for your treatments? After checking with your insurance provider, consider adding a supplemental insurance policy for your travels. Depending on your location, you might required to be vaccinated and proof of updated shots. Finally, review the websites of the US Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization for any health precautions.

Financial security

Remember to communicate with your bank and credit card companies about your planned trip to prevent awkward and unnecessary declined transactions. Review their foreign exchange fee, and also check the currency exchange rates.

Final tips

Make several photocopies of your travel documents, including your itinerary, flight ticket, and passport. Give a copy to a trusted friend or family member, along with the contact information for your accommodations. Before you depart, record the contact details of the US Embassy or US Consulate at your destination. Finally, enroll in the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for travel and security updates.

4 surprising facts about passports

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

When you’re applying for a new passport, you may only be thinking about a couple of things: do I look good in my passport photo? Is my child’s baby passport photo still valid? But there are a few things that may not even cross your mind when it comes to passports and passport pictures. Here are four of the most surprising facts we found about passports.

1: Germany and Sweden have the most powerful passports

According to the Passport Index, they each have a visa-free score of 158. America is in a five way tie for 4th place, meaning that if you hold an American passport, you have access to 155 countries without a visa. According to these same rankings, the least powerful passport belongs to Afghanistan.

2: Your passport is electronic

If you received a new passport after August of 2007, that means you are the recipient of a new and improved e-passport, which comes embedded with a special chip that’s designed to deter hackers and identity thieves.

3: Passports used to accommodate even the busiest jet setters

Don’t have enough room in your standard issue 28-page passport for all the countries you’ve visited? Before 2015, you could actually request a longer, 52-page passport when you were renewing, at no additional cost. Or you could add pages to your current passport up to a total of 76 pages! These days, you can no longer add pages – but to make up for it, all US passports are now issued with 52 pages instead of 28.

4: That patriotic art took 6 years to make

Have you ever noticed the artwork on the inside pages of your passport? If you have one of the newer versions issued since 2007, every page is decorated with the most American of designs, from Mount Rushmore to bald eagles and more. And this patriotic makeover didn’t come easily – a committee of six important people spent six whole years developing the page designs, which were all part of an overall theme entitled “American Icon.” So next time you open a page to get stamped, take a second to appreciate how much effort went into making that page a reality.

Photo: Passport by seantoyer licensed under Creative commons 2

When should you change your passport photo?

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

You may think that the only time you need to update your passport picture is when your passport has expired, but that’s not the case. Since the only thing that proves your passport belongs to you is your picture inside it, it’s important that this picture actually resembles you. It’s for this reason that the government requires you to update your passport photo when you’ve undergone significant changes to your appearance.

So what counts as a significant change in appearance?

1. You’ve undergone significant facial surgery or have experienced a serious trauma that has affected your face. This may include plastic surgery, or trauma caused by a fire or other type of accident.

2. You’ve added or removed significant facial tattoos or piercings that take up a large portion of your face. Something small like a single nose ring doesn’t count, but use your best judgment to determine if it’s something that is obscuring your facial features in any way.

3. You’ve gained or lost a significant amount of weight. Again, use your best judgment – this really only applies if the weight gain or loss has a significant impact on the appearance of your face as seen in the photo.

4. You’ve made a gender transition.

In case you’re still confused about what constitutes a significant change in appearance, here are a few examples of appearance changes that do not require you to update your passport photo:

1. Growing or shaving off facial hair like a beard or a mustache counts as a minor change, so you don’t need a new photo.

2. Coloring, cutting or in any way changing your hair style also doesn’t count, because it does not significantly affect your facial features.

3. The normal growth of a baby or young child happens very quickly in a short amount of time, so you are not required to apply for a new passport for that reason while your child is under the age of 16. Instead, you can continue to use the same baby passport photo or child passport photo throughout the duration of that time (barring any of the other significant appearance changes listed above).

Don’t get stuck at the airport! Passport rules you simply must know

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Rules on international travel have tightened for everyone. U.S. citizens can no longer cross borders with just a birth certificate and photo ID and having a passport is becoming more important than ever.

Here are a few rules to know to help get you through the airport and on to your next destination.

Six month validity rule

If you’re embarking on international travel, it’s critical that you have more than six months left before your passport’s expiration date. Many people don’t think to check, but if you’re traveling to a country with a validity rule and you’re within the six months of your expiration date, you won’t be leaving the airport, other than to return home.

Brazil, China, French Polynesia, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Lucia, and Thailand are just a few of the popular vacation destinations that require passports to have six months validity at entry, so make sure you check the rules on your specific destination country.

Schengen borders agreement

Americans traveling to one of the 26 European countries known as the Schengen Area also have special requirements. These rules may apply even if you are simply transiting from a Schengen Area airport to a non-Schengen Area airport.

All European Union countries except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom are included in the Schengen Borders Agreement. Additionally, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also included.

Your passport must also be valid for more than six months before expiration date and for at least three months beyond the expected departure from the Schengen Area.

Travelers from specific countries to the U.S. have similar rules. You can view the complete list of countries here.

Recognizable passport photo

A different hair color or length won’t hold up the line at airport security but if you’ve changed quite a bit since your passport photo it’s time to get a new passport. A gender transition, significant weight loss, the removal of facial piercings or even cosmetic surgery can make your appearance drastically different.

Make sure to double check your passport photo for believability and your destination country’s rules before your next trip to ensure a smooth departure and arrival.

On a cruise – do I need a passport?

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Have you booked a cruise? If it is your first time, you may wonder exactly what it all entails. It is essential to have the proper documentation while traveling. Not having the best form of identification can cause unnecessary and stressful challenges. Now is the best time to get all your paperwork in proper order.

Reliable and trusted identification

In many cases, a passport is not strictly required for cruise travel. However, cruise lines highly prefer passport identification as it is the highest and most well-regarded form of personal identification. There are many types of personal identification, yet many of them are easily forged, thus considered wholly unreliable. Why not go up to the absolute highest standard and obtain a passport? This is the wisest course of action as the passport has many uses and you will be relieved that you have it many times over.

Representing yourself in the best way

Passports are issued by governments and normally contain nationality, age, place of birth and expiration date. One of the principal elements of a passport is a clear, attractive passport photo that showcases the best of you. It is quite essential to select the proper place to get your passport photo taken. You will be living with this photo for a long while and want it to represent you clearly and attractively.

Make sure your hairstyle is complementary to your makeup, if you use it. You may also wish to wear a shirt with a collar or a special design at the top, as long as it is not too distracting, as in the case of a wild print. Some people prefer to wear a solid color.

It is fine to either have a serious expression or a smile for the passport photo and it is up to your discretion: see https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html for exact passport requirements.

While having a passport on a cruise is not always necessary, it is vital to carry the best form of identification possible, and that is certainly the passport. Immaculate passport photos are an essential element to passport presentation. Be certain to obtain passport photos of only the very highest standard, and your passport will be your very best form of personal identification for years to come.

Important milestones for international travel

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

If you’re traveling abroad, especially if it’s for the first time, there are a few things you need to remember to get done ahead of time. Here are some important milestones you should keep track of to have a smooth and easy international trip:

Six weeks before you leave (or more): apply for a passport

Six weeks is the amount of time required to process a passport with routine service, but if you pay extra for expedited service, you can shorten the time to three weeks. Just make sure you’ve taken appropriate passport photos that are up to US regulations. You can easily take your passport pictures on this website and add them to your passport application.

Four weeks before you leave: make an appointment with your health care provider

If you need to get any vaccinations for the country that you’re visiting, this will give you enough time to complete any vaccine series and to let your body build up an immunity to the disease. You should also ask your doctor for prescriptions for any other medications you may need while traveling.

Three weeks before you leave: Call your bank and your wireless provider to let them know about your travel plans

If you’re using your credit card abroad, this may trigger your bank to suspend service in case of identity theft, so if they know where you’re going to be, you can prevent this from happening. As for your wireless provider, they may have international service options in place, so you can decide what’s the best plan for you, rather than getting charged exorbitant international fees for data usage.

Two weeks before you leave: Register with the American Embassy in the country you’re visiting

If you have any problems while traveling, you’ll be a lot safer if your government knows where you are and how to contact you.

One week before you leave: check the weather at your destination, and adjust your packing appropriately

You should read about general weather conditions when you’re planning your trip, but it’s important to get up-to-date information as you get closer to your departure date.

How to enjoy stress-free family travel

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

For families with young children and babies, traveling can be an incredibly stressful process; no matter how much you’re looking forward to a relaxing vacation, you’re no doubt dreading the juggling of passports, luggage and little ones. The best way to minimize stress is to be very organized and plan, plan, plan, so check out our handy family travel to-do list to keep on top of things.

12 weeks before travel: take passport photos

It can be tricky to get a good child passport photo that passes all regulations, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get the right shot. You can submit your passport pictures to us at Paspic and our innovative technology will tell you if they’re likely to be approved. If they’re in good shape, you can have them printed and delivered straight to your door.

10 weeks before travel: submit passport application

It takes around six weeks for passport applications to be processed but during busy periods it can take longer, so be sure to get yours in within plenty of time – we recommend around eight to 10 weeks before you travel.

6 weeks before travel: plan your packing checklist

This may seem a little early, but by planning what you’ll need to pack now, you can ensure that you purchase any missing essentials well before you actually start to pack. Consider clothes, sunscreen, medications, first aid supplies, electronics and even things such as snacks, toys or games to help keep the kids occupied on long journeys.

2 – 4 weeks before travel: confirm travel arrangements

Many travel agencies will require the payment of any remaining balances around one month before your vacation, so this is a great opportunity to double check all your travel arrangements and itineraries, submit any forms and documents to them and provide emergency contact information if necessary.

1 week before travel: start packing

If you planned well ahead, you should have everything you need to hand in order to make packing a breeze! We recommend getting the majority of your belongings packed up to a week before and having a list of last minute items such as phone chargers that you’ll be using right up until the day of travel. Decide what will be in your main luggage and what you’ll need in hand luggage, such as passports, travel documents, cellphone, wallet, and keys.

Vacation day

The big day has finally arrived, and all you need to do is throw those last few essentials into your suitcase, gather up your hand luggage and be on your way, feeling as relaxed and in control as possible!

7 things you don’t need or want for a baby passport photo

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Baby passport photos might be the single hardest passport photos to obtain. Why? Because all the same rules apply, but a baby is hardly as capable of lining up for a simple picture. Here are a few things that will just get in the way or prove counterproductive to your endeavor:

1. A helping hand

If any part of any other person shows up in a passport photo, that photo isn’t valid. That means you can’t be in your baby photo – not a shoulder, not a hand, not an anything. You need to figure out a way to get that perfect photo without catching a glimpse of anyone else involved in the process. So you can have a helping hand – but you can’t have it in the picture.

2. A prop

It might be hard to get your baby the right distance or angle away, but don’t let that lead you to props and other supports; those aren’t allowed in the picture either. If you can manage to work something out that doesn’t show in the photo, you’re golden, but if it’s at all visible you’re back to square one.

3. A pacifier

It might help keep your child content and neutral-faced, but that doesn’t help when it obscures so much of his or her features. Lose it, or your photos won’t clear inspection, no matter how much else you get right. The same goes for other toys and tools.

4. The camera on your phone

You need a clear, properly focused, well-lit photo. Your camera phone almost certainly isn’t going to cut it.

5. Hats, hoods, and other headgear

Anything that might obscure the face of your baby should be removed, barring daily-wear items mandated by religious or health needs.

6. Distractions or noises

If your baby isn’t looking at the camera, or they’re making a face because of something they saw or heard, their photo probably isn’t going to make it through inspection. A quiet area you can control works best.

7. Poor lighting

Bad lighting can just as easily invalidate your baby passport photo as anything else on this list, yet many parents forget the issue entirely; they get tired of trying to catch the perfect photo, and grab one when an opportunity strikes – without setting up lighting first.

Photo: Day time nap by Fimb licensed under Creative commons 2

The fascinating history of the passport

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

When someone needs to travel, they just reach out for their passport and head to the nearest airport. What many people do not know is that the passport is only around 100 years old. Before the Germans introduced the modern day passport bearing a picture in 1915, people used to travel to other countries using a simple document that had a description of the owner.

Just before the current passport was adopted, there was an attempt to include more personal details in the travel document. The early version of the passport included the name of the traveler, a brief mention of their size (tall, short, small, etc.) and hair color. The document also described their face and any other recognizable mark, such as a missing finger or a scar.

The British had their distinct version of a passport in the form of a note that a traveler carried around. The typical note read something like “John Smith, a British subject, on a mission to travel around the continent”.

The launch of the German passport in the year 1915 necessitated the use of a passport picture for easy identification. The earliest passport photos did not have a standard size, so one could use any photo of their choice. As long as the picture could fit within the document, it was acceptable. People took passport photos leaning on their favorite horses or while playing the guitar. In those days, hats were accepted on the pictures, meaning people wore their fanciest hats on the passport images.

The rule that one had to show their full face without a hat came into effect in 1926. At around the same time, the UK specified the size of a passport photograph. Colored images gradually made their way into passports from the early 1940s. As more people started using air travel, governments saw the need to improve their passports. From around the 1960s, the US government asked people not to smile on their passport pictures. Minors traveling with their parents were also required to take a child passport photo.

Today, the passport has undergone a major transformation. People now use digital images, and passports have more security features. The current passport is more compact yet has more information than its predecessors. We can only wait and watch to see the new direction this valuable travel document will take.