Tag: easy way to get passport pictures

The 4 best ways to see a new country

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

When you take a trip abroad you likely want to learn at least a little about the country’s culture, people, food and more. Unfortunately, many travelers never actually get to see a country the way the residents see it. Here are some of the best ways to see a new country.

CouchSurfing

CouchSurfing started as a local movement in 2003 and has since gone global. The idea is that you stay for free at members’ homes overnight or for a couple of days, eating with them and exchanging conversation. You might sleep on a couch, on the floor or in a spare bedroom; whatever they have available. After you sign up with the organization, you can avail yourself of all the spare couches across the globe. This is a very personalized way to get to know people from another country on a one-to-one level.

Long train rides

Riding a train across an area like Eastern Europe, for example, is a special way to see the countryside and meet lots of different people along the way. You may have a sleeper car or just sleep in your seat. Either way, you’ll invariably run into residents who are eager to talk to you and share ideas and maybe even a meal.

Taxi rides

As soon as you arrive in your new country, ask your airport taxi driver if they’d be willing to pick you up from your hotel the next morning and give you a real tour of the city from a personal perspective for a lump sum. Taxi drivers have a unique view of the city, and they know all the back roads and “secret” spots that you’ll never read about it a tour book. Your driver can show you spots where you can visit during your stay and tell you about any neighborhoods you should avoid.

Exchange yourself

If you’re a college student, you can become an exchange student and live with a family in another country while you finish a semester in that country. You’ll meet other students your own age at school, and likely make a lasting connection with your host family. As an exchange student, you would be fully integrated into their family life, attending social events with them, eating meals with them, and taking part in daily chores.

No matter how you get around in a new country, make sure you practice personal safety. Keep your passport and any spare passport photos in a safe location at all times, travel with a buddy whenever possible, and always let a friend or family member know your plans for the day.

Photo: ETR 450 by harlock81 licensed under Creative commons 2

Vacationing on a budget: tips to save money on your trip

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Traveling the world is a unique way to gain knowledge and enrich your life through experiences. While many dream of traveling to their favorite destinations they are often discouraged when considering the cost of traveling, lodging and vacation excursions. These beneficial tips will help you plan your next budget-friendly vacation.

Plan your vacation properly

Planning your vacation will have a positive impact on your bottom line. Be sure to secure your passports and ensure that your passport photo has been approved. If you need to do this in a hurry, use a service like Paspic to make sure your passport photos are suitable for use and avoid any delays. If you can, be sure to schedule your next trip in advance. What places will you visit? Will you stay at a resort? Does your destination experience extreme seasonal changes? Questions such as these will help determine the cheapest time to go and therefore your travel budget.

Travel discounts

While last-minute vacation deals pop up on a regular basis, these discounts are not guaranteed for your date of travel. Make sure you plan your travel far in advance. The more flexible you can be with your travel dates, the more money you can save. Purchase your plane tickets in advance. Make sure that you factor in the cost of carry-on luggage, checked luggage and preferred seating. Don’t wait until you reach the airport to check-in, these fees could increase at the airport.

Use your connections

Social media can be your best friend when it comes to traveling on a budget. Follow major airlines on social media to stay on top of specials and available discounts. Visit the tourist websites of your future travel destinations for discounts and free vouchers to explore tourist attractions and historical sites.

Check the forecast before you go

Weather and temperature changes can not only scupper your travel plans, but they can put a significant dent in your travel budget. Being proactive can save you money in this area. Whether traveling to far-off destinations or taking a quick road trip, make sure you are properly monitoring the weather so you can pack accordingly and avoid unnecessary outlays on new items of clothing and accessories. This will help you determine if you should bring a raincoat, an extra jacket or your snow boots with you. This prevents the need for purchasing these items when you arrive at your destination.

3 reasons to use an online passport photo service

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

An online passport photo service can save you time, money, and frustration on your passport photos, offering a variety of benefits you’d struggle to replicate with a photo booth or other passport solutions. You see particular benefit when dealing with difficult pictures, such as photos taking advantage of certain allowances for headgear, or photos for baby and child passports, where the smallest flaw can render your pictures useless. Here are just three of the pros of online passport photos.

1. Take difficult pictures on your own schedule

Getting an adequate photo of a baby or toddler can be an extremely finicky, difficult task with even the best-behaved child. So can photos when you need to account for certain special rules and requirements unique to your situation. Obtaining the perfect photo in the short period of time you have access to a photo booth requires more than a little luck, which is one reason taking your own photos, then leveraging a photo service online, makes a lot of sense.

2. Maximize your chances of receiving your passport in a timely manner

There are a lot of little details which can render your passport photos unacceptable. When you submit these photos, fully expecting them to be accepted, it can cause unreasonable delays and ruin your ability to travel. By working with a passport service which adjusts and screens photos to achieve high acceptance rates, you’ll find it much easier to plan around receiving your passport when you need it most.

3. Avoid hunting for a photo booth.

Passport-friendly photo booths aren’t always easy to find, depending on where you live. Sometimes the best argument for not using one is that there aren’t any present to use in the first place. It doesn’t make much sense to take a lengthy trip to a photo booth, when you can take perfectly serviceable photos from your home.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to avoid the booth and stick with an online service. If you want to save on time, money, and headaches, strongly consider using a passport service online to obtain passport photos that you and your nation’s compliance rules will like.

Photo: Passport by seantoyer licensed under Creative commons 2