Tag: Get perfect passport photo online

How to eat like the locals while on vacation

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Part of your travel planning may have included finding cheap vacation deals or visiting local budget travel shops. But in order to have the most satisfying travel experience, it’s important to bring back lasting memories of sights, sounds, people, and tastes. In order to do that, you should also include eating on vacation as part of your total travel planning. Trying to figure out where to eat on vacation is difficult to decide before you get there. But once you arrive, there are very specific ways to eat like a local no matter where you travel.

1. Socialize with the locals

Although it may be tempting to gravitate toward a person who is speaking your native language when you are surrounded by foreigners, resist the urge. Instead, try to communicate with the locals. Of course, this is easy if you are American and you are in an English-language speaking country such as Ireland or the U.K. But what if you are in Italy, and no one speaks English? You could easily convey that you are seeking a restaurant by using hand motions. Who knows? You may be invited to sit at a local person’s home dinner table and be able to enjoy an authentic family meal.

2. Stray from the beaten path

Travel guides certainly have their place. But for eating on vacation, stray from the beaten path. Follow some locals who are obviously on their way to eat. They will no doubt be going someplace affordable that serves authentic local food. You can always hit the tourist restaurants another day if you want.

3. Order by sight

When you’re in a restaurant or bistro and there are locals seated around you, pay attention to the dishes on their table. When it’s your turn to order, instead of choosing off the menu, just point to the plate that looks most attractive to you and tell the waiter, “I’ll have what they’re having”. This is a great way to inject adventure into your travels, and a foolproof method to eating like a local.

Wherever you decide to dine while on vacation, don’t forget to bring your passport. Your passport can be an essential way to let the restaurant staff know you don’t speak the language and need help choosing from their menu in a foreign language.

The 5 things you need to take good passport photos at home

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

It’s not difficult to take your own passport photos, but you do need a few key items to make it happen. These items will help you ensure a painless passport application process.

1) A good camera. The vast majority of camera phones aren’t going to be good enough for passport photos. A real digital camera, even a cheap one, should be – so long as you take the time to configure it properly. Do your homework on the specific requirements for passports from your home nation, and make sure the camera you have can manage.

2) Good lighting. Shadows or poor contrast can ruin your passport photos as easily as anything else, so make sure you have decent lighting where you’re taking pictures. A good camera can make up for a lot of the problem, but there are limitations.

3) An outfit that doesn’t break the rules. Anything that obscures your face or head is against the rules, barring a few exceptions for religious or medical needs. Most uniforms also violate the rules for passports–so do your homework and make sure you’re set.

4) A neutral expression. Easy enough if you’re taking your own photos, not too bad for older children, but potentially a major headache for young children or baby passport photos. Figure out a good way to get a neutral expression – or watch carefully for one and seize the moment before it passes.

5) An online passport photo service. While there are other ways you can use your own photos to put together a passport application, you’ll find it easiest to use a passport service online. With the help of such a service you can push your odds of being accepted on the first try to their maximum. Issues of size, quality, etc. will be addressed before your photos move on to the final application process. It makes things a lot easier.

Get these five items together, and your photos should pass through the applications process without a hitch. When you pay attention to the details, there’s not much risk of rejection – especially with an online passport service on your side.

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.