Are you a soldier at an APO AE address?  we want to show our small sign of appreciation for folks in service in the next 3 days

What's the deal?  our premium service of validation, printing and shipping for $1 - how to claim it?

1. Use the following coupon URL: http://www.epassportphoto.com/?coupon=AKA4GBogzIhaAHV1ATuTAMTheqgVNPxc
2. Checkout with your home address and send as an email with your AE APO address to customerservice@epassportphoto.com

 Spread the news around - we are honored to serve you guys

Walgreens, you've lost my drugstore visits!

From a customer-oriented company always thinking about making life easier and cheaper for us, Walgreens turned into a store that censors the content of your photos

Listen to this true story about ePassportPhoto.com and decide for yourself what you think about Walgreens: 

November 2005 - "Birth of free passport photos online" 

Like my other solid business, it all started from a real customer need unmet until them: I needed to renew my passport and send the application with 2 passport photos.  As many have experienced, getting the best passport photo (and not the usual mug-shot) is not that easy.  Definitely given that this photo will accompany you for 10 years.  Plus it costs a hefty sum of money for a simple digital photo when you think about it!   

A casual lunch break got me and a friend Tom thinking: why wouldn't we make this whole process of passport photos totally online and for free for people (and make a dime or two if we can from advertising): digital cameras are all over the place, broadband is ubiquitous, and a good passport photo can only be achieved when you have the time to take a few shots of yourself at your own leisure - we felt there's something here! 

After plenty of brainstorming and decent amount of web coding we brought ePassportPhoto.com to life (back then buying a decent domain name was easy compared to today!).  With zero marketing we got great positive feedback and excitement on the free offering and the way to avoid the usual passport photos rip-offs.  One posting led the another: the Times Online, Popular Science, King5 Network, Lifehacker, Boing Boing, The Consumerist and tech65.org are just a few of the places that spotted how ePassportPhoto.com transforms the passport photos industry. 

We got an enormous satisfaction - It was really heartwarming to see people from around the world in the thousands daily using our service.  It was also fun acquiring the #1 spot for passport photos terms at Google!

March 2009 – The big "W" at work

Believe it or not after more than 3 years of running this service, more than 3 million people from practically every country on earth visited ePassportPhoto - did I mention how much did we spend on marketing? 

Word of mouth played a significant role and here are some of the terrific feedback we've been getting and is captured in the recently opened Facebook page:

In addition to the free do-it-yourself option that we provide, we launched a guaranteed premium service for official passport photos.  We treated all customers as good as it gets – people love us.  Really.  One of the premium service options is for customers to pick their passport photos – or more precisely a 4x6" photo print bearing their passport photos – at a Walgreens store.  We thought that anyone can print what they want to Walgreens photo center – right?   

Well, not  e x a c t l y!  at some point Walgreens' radar picked up on our so called "scam". A few emails were sent to us saying:

We have been getting passport prints from your online service, and we DO NOT print photos that are sent to our store … Customers need to come into the store to have their passport photos taken. We do not allow customers to create their own passport pictures and print them themselves…. It would be appreciated if you would no longer endorse our photofinishing services on your website

Or another example:

Walgreens is not affiliated with this scam or company and will charge your customers a second time for the cost of the passport in store because when they are sent over the internet there is a charge due in store.  We will redirect all of our customers to contact this company for any issues.

Well, I read their policy and it's amazing to see that this goliath can forbid people from printing 4x6" photos according to its content.  In any event, we definitely didn't want to steal their customers (although that as a matter of fact they should probably give us some referral fees for driving customers to their stores)

Not so heartwarming anymore… 

So, heart-shattered, I wrote an email to Walgreen saying:

1. We come in peace

2. We respect Walgreen and we want to work together with your admired great company

3. Show us the right way, how can we change ePassportPhoto to be legit

Walgreens didn't even responded back - nothing

Guys, is there anyone home? Are you people at Walgreens looking down little people's alley?

I've heard of Walgreens acting like a big company but couldn't believe it until now. Perhaps Walgreens is a place where few short minded clerks run the show with policy papers in their hands, not respecting customers anymore.

I don't know if it's CVS or Walgreens for you but if you ask me – Walgreens has lost my drugstore visits.

Hope you enjoy our website

- The ePassportPhoto team

Let us hear back from you - tell us how we're doing - we look forward to hearing from you.  If you have a Facebook account simply click on the following link and sign up to become a fan of ePassportPhoto:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/ePassportPhotocom/49319144724?ref=mf

 Cheers!

Passports are among the most widely accepted forms of identification in the world. One of the reasons for this is that passports are given only after the background of the applicant has been thoroughly verified and his or her bona fides have been established. A key element of the passport as a means of identification is the passport photograph. Very few countries now accept black and white photos for passports and photographs are now starting to be be gathered by some countries in a digital form so that it can be used for computerized facial recognition. The digital photograph is validated against the actual appearance of the person either by a physical verification at the time the passport is collected, or through internal processes and interviews – the procedure varies from country to country but still always requires the validation against an actual passport photo..

While each country has its own conditions and specifications for the photographs to be used in its passports, the need for a clear and recognizable image of the passport holder means that certain basic requirements remain the same:

·         The image should be front facing – photos showing profiles or taken from oblique angles are not accepted.

·         The focus must be clear and sharp.

·         The eyes should be open and the ears must be visible- they should not be covered by hair.

·         Teeth should not be visible in the photographs as this will affect the biometric scanning and recognition of the photographs.

Biometrics is a technology that more and more countries are using to make, counterfeiting of passports almost impossible and to allow for automated authentication of the passports and recording of the passport holder’s arrivals and departures. A biometric passport is one that adds a remotely readable computer chip to the traditional passport booklet so that it becomes a kind of smartcard. The computer chip stores a great deal of information, but for identification purposes the most important is a digital image of the passport holder. Using this, digital image facial recognition software can be used to verify the identity of the person carrying the passport with a far greater degree of certainty than traditional visual comparison.

Children’s photos, especially those of infants are often difficult to take, but again, while specifications may vary according to the country in question, certain basic requirements are common.

·         The baby or child should be clearly visible with the facial details clear.

·         There should be no other objects in the photos –no toys, decorations or other people.

·         The full face must be visible.

·         Both eyes should be open. This condition may be relaxed for infants but is essential in the case of older children for the computerized facial recognition.

The basic passport photograph requirements for some countries are as follows:

·         The United States: 2” x 2” Photos must be less than six months old. Headwear is only allowed id it is a religious requirement. The face must be completely exposed.

·         Canada: 5cm x 7cm. Only photos on plain high quality photographic paper are acceptable. Heavy weight paper may not be used for printing photos

·         Mexico: 2” x 2”. Four copies to be submitted and the background must be white or very lightly colored

·         United Kingdom: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. No “red Eye” is permitted and the photos should not have nay folds or creases.

·         Germany: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. The face and ears must be clearly seen.

·         France: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. Skin tones must be natural and not changed for cosmetic purposes. Wearing of spectacles in the photos is not allowed.

·         Italy: 4.5cm x 3.5cm

·         Spain: 4cm x 3cm

·         Russia: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. The head must occupy 75% of the total photo. No light should reflect off spectacles if they are worn in the photos.

·         Turkey: 4.5cm x 3.5cm

·         Netherlands: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. Teeth must not be visible in the photos.

·         Australia: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. The photo should not be more that 6 months old.

·         China: 4.8cm x 4.3cm

·         Japan: 4.5cm x 3.5cm

·         India: 3.5cm x 3.5cm

·         Singapore: 4.5cm x 3.5cm. Eyes must be wide open. Background should be white unless your hair is of that color in which case a darker background may us used to make the hair visible.

·         Korea: 4.5cm x3.5cm

·         Brazil: 7cm x 5cm. The ears must be clearly visible and the face not covered.

Please note that the first measurement, in all cases, is the height of the photos and the second is the width.

All countries require that the photos be in color and no other person or objects be present in the photos.

As can be seen, many countries are standardizing on the 4.5cm x 3.5cm size. However, due to the heightened security measures that all countries are enforcing, it is always best to check from a reliable source and be sure that there have been no changes in the passport photo specifications before applying.

Passport photographs are also used for many other applications since the specifications are so strict that they meet most requirements for driving and other license and identity card photographs. The only difference is that the size of the photograph may vary depending on where and for what it is being used. Most countries also require the same size and specification photos both for issuing passport to its citizens’ and also for the issuing of visas to foreign nationals who want to visit the country.

·         Italian passport photos: http://epassportphoto.com/Wizard.aspx?country=IT&photo=0

·         German passport photos: http://epassportphoto.com/Wizard.aspx?country=DE&photo=0

·         UK passport photos: http://epassportphoto.com/Wizard.aspx?country=GB&photo=0

·         French passport photos: http://epassportphoto.com/Wizard.aspx?country=FR&photo=0

·         Spanish passport photos: http://epassportphoto.com/Wizard.aspx?country=ES&photo=0

ePassportPhoto.com continues to revolutionize the passport photo market, achieving 100% year-over-year growth and increasing global market penetration

Palo Alto, Calif. – October 20, 2008 - ePassportPhoto.com, the leading online passport photo service, has provided over 2 million free passport photos to users around the globe. ePassportPhoto.com provides a unique system that allows users to upload photos and generate digital passport photo sheets meeting the specific requirements of over 60 passport issuing authorities.

ePassportPhoto.com is a truly global online service provider, able to provide passport photos according to the exact specifications for over 60 different countries. This includes ensuring the photos are of the exact size and resolution requirements, and that the subject is properly positioned in the photo. The process is incredibly simple; the user uploads a suitable image to ePassportPhoto.com, specifies which country the passport application is for, and a digital passport photo sheet is returned, matching that country’s requirements exactly. ePassportPhoto.com is used not only for passports, but for any photo identification, ranging from immigration permits to student IDs and ski passes.

In the last year ePassportPhoto.com has seen year-over-year growth of more than 100% in visitors and revenues. Increased exposure has come about though online and offline marketing, word of mouth and the localization of the interface to eight languages. Fastest growing markets are within Europe, especially in Italy, France and Germany, where ePassportPhoto.com is achieving significant market penetration and acceptance.

In addition to providing a service for consumers, ePassportPhoto.com has started to market its white-label solution for companies wishing to enhance their photo ID applications. A recent example is the UK-based Boomerang student debit card (http://www.boomerangprepaidcard.co.uk). Boomerang selected ePassportPhoto.com as a provider of ID photos, enabling students to complete the entire application process online. By avoiding the need to rely on standard mail to accept student photos, Boomerang was able to significantly streamline the approval process and dramatically reduce costs.

“I’m extremely excited about the full online experience our customers get with the ePassportPhoto.com photo engine,” said Andy Dagger, Managing Director at Boomerang. “Our customers get access to a proven and tested experience while we get the operational peace of mind.”

About ePassportPhoto.com

ePassportPhoto.com is the leading online passport photos Web site and has been operating since 2005, revolutionizing the way people obtain passport photos.  ePassportPhoto.com offers a branded service, as well as a white-label solution that allows photo ID providers, such as universities, sports facilities and credit card companies, to shorten the application and review processes and significantly reduce costs. ePassportPhoto.com is a privately held company headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.  For more information about ePassportPhoto.com, visit www.ePassportPhoto.com

Tourism is one of Mexico’s largest industries and the country is the largest destination for travelers from South and Central America. It is also the world’s 8th most popular tourist destination and in 2006 the country received over 21 million foreign tourists. Besides the famous resorts like Acapulco and Cancun with their long golden beaches and hectic nightlife, there are a number of smaller more secluded sea side getaways for those looking for a quieter and more relaxed time.

The other famous tourist attractions are the ruins of the Maya and Inca cities which offer an awe inspiring glimpse into long dead but, for their time, very advance civilizations. Mexicans are a warm and friendly people and go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome.

The temperate climate and the unique culture – a blend of Spanish and Native American, are other reasons why the country has become one of the world’s major tourist hot spots. The best time to visit is from December to July. However, if you are going to any of the sea side resorts during the college breaks; be prepared for hordes of noisy college students enjoying their vacations there.

Mexican passport photos are of a fairly simple nature. The main requirements are:

• The picture should be submitted in 4 copies. While 3 is the official quantity required, the authorities are known to often ask for an additional one while the application is being processed and submitting an extra one will save time.

• The photos should be of the standard size – 3.5cms X 4.5cms

• They should be in color and taken against a white or lightly colored background.

• You should be looking directly at the camera. Pictures even slightly in profile have been known to be rejected.

• Your face should fill between 70 to 80% of the photo area.

• One important requirement is that the photos should be images captured on film and printed on photographic paper. Digital image printed out on glossy paper like you would do for photos you have taken are not accepted.

Mexican Visa photos should meet the same specifications as the passport ones. Once again it is advisable to submit and extra copy (4 in all) of your photos along with the visa application to be in the safe side.

While the specs Mexican visa and passport photos are not as highly defined as those of some other countries, be careful not the take the requirements for granted and ensure that you submit the right kind of photos.

Citizens of some countries do not require visas to enter Mexico. Before travelling to the country is makes sense to check with the Mexican Embassy nearest you as to whether or not you need a visa.

Taiwan is an old country – the first human habitations on the island came into being 10,000 years ago. It was only in the 15th century that immigrants arrive from China and slowly took control of the land. In the early 16th century the Portuguese occupied the island and called it Formosa (Beautiful). They stayed for about a century until the Dutch forced them out and became the occupiers. They in turn were ousted from the island in the mid 17th century by forces from the mainland and the island became a part of China until after World War II when the local leaders split with the mainland Communists and set up an independent country on the island.

Most visitors to the country are content with is experiencing the high tech cities and manufacturing zones which make up about one third of the island. The natural beauty of the other two thirds has long been ignored but today, with improvements in transportation and tourist infrastructure, the hinterland, with its variety of natural beauty and wonders, is more accessible and is proving to be an increasing popular tourist attraction.

Like many countries, Taiwan has the same specifications for both passport and visa photographs.  

• The photo should be submitted in duplicate and the size must be 2 inches X 2 inches.

• The photo should be recent and in any case not older than six months.

• The photos should be in color with a plain with background and you need to be looking directly at the camera.

• Your face should be in the center of the photo and should occupy about 75% of the total picture area.

• While normal spectacles may be worn in the photos, care should be taken that reflections from the lenses do not obscure the view of the eyes. Dark or tinted glasses should not be worn unless they are regularly used for medical reason, in which case the embassy may ask for a medical certificate to support this.

• Hats or head gear, except for those required on grounds of religion are not allowed.

A visa application must be accompanied by your passport which should have at least six months validity remaining from the date of our entry into Taiwan as well as a plane of ship ticket with a confirmed departure date not later than 30 days from the date of arrival.

Before applying for a Taiwan visa, you need to ensure that you’re passport does not have the limitation “Prohibited from entering The Republic of China” stamped or endorsed on it. This kind of restriction is placed on the passports of many countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. As the visa fees are subject to change and also may vary from country to country, you should check the current fees and other requirements with the Taiwan Embassy or Representative office before submitting your application.

Switzerland is a land of mountains, lakes, snow capped peaks, the world’s best watches, chocolates and cheeses, an international banking hub and one of the cleanest and well maintained countries in the world. What more is there to say? Everyone knows Switzerland and has their own reasons for going there.

The Swiss are know for their methodical and organized approach in all things. This is evident in the clear cut requirements for obtaining a visa which are:

• A passport which should be valid for at least three months from the expiry of the Swiss visa

• The application for completed in every respect  a confirmed round trip ticket from your country of residence to Switzerland and back. If the ticket is not immediately available proof of purchase in the form of written confirmation for a travel agent or airline giving details of your itinerary is acceptable. If you are proceeding to another country after Switzerland, you may be required to show a valid visa for that country. This is best confirmed from the Swiss embassy.
  

• You will have to show proof that your are financially able to make the trip. This could be either in the form of a copy of the most recent bank statement or a letter from your bank confirming your bank balance. The basis for deciding your financial viability will be that you will need at least $100 per day of your visit.

• You will be required to submit a letter from our employer (unless you are retired) that will confirm your position in the company and your salary.

The requirements for both Swiss passport and visa photographs are the same. To apply for either a passport or a visa you must submit 2  photos of a 3.5cms X 4.5cms size along with your application. Your face, from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin, should measure between 29 to 35mm. In the case of children below 11 years of age, the face should be between 23 to 34 mm, measured in the same way.

The background should be either pure white or off white with no patterns, designs or external objects in the frame. If you wear glasses they should be worn in the photo but neither the frame not any reflection from the glass should obscure the eyes. Head wear is allowed if religious beliefs require it to be worn, but the head wear should not in any way cover the face or restrict identification. The photos should be less than six months old and your facial expression should be neutral. It is essential that your mouth is closed and your teeth are not visible in the photos as this will affect is applicability for use with facial recognition software.