Thursday, January 28, 2010

Free Passport Photos

Although it's a task that pops up infrequently in my life, getting an "official" photo for a passport or visa seems a bit of a rip-off, especially in today's digital camera age. Come on, why should I have to schlep down to the post office, UPS store or other "official" passport photo center and pay $10+ for a 2"x2" photo?

Turns out, now there's a better...and cheaper...way: ePassportPhoto.

ePassportPhoto is a FREE online service that lets you upload, edit, and print your own passport photos from the comfort of the nearest computer. There are simple, step-by-step instructions for taking your photos, including tips like "make sure the subject has a neutral expression with no teeth showing." Who knew the U.S. government actively discouraged smiling?

The site also publishes an insightful article that reveals what the big chain drugstores don't want you to know about passport photos, including what a giant cash cow the service is for their businesses. Um, no thanks, I'm trying to cut down on the red meat these days.

Smile (on second thought, don't), for ePassportPhoto.