what is iris photography?
 
Discover the incredible colors, patterns and details hiding in plain sight.
Your eyes are something you see every day, but you've probably never seen them quite like this. Iris photography uses specialized macro photography to capture the extraordinary detail within your iris and transform it into a beautiful, completely personal work of art.
 
every eye tells a story
see your eye up close!
There's More to Your Eyes Than You Can See
From a normal distance, we tend to think of our eyes simply as brown, blue, green or hazel. Look closer, though, and an entirely different world appears.
Your iris is filled with intricate fibers, crypts, furrows, freckles, color variations and patterns that are difficult to appreciate with the naked eye.
Iris photography brings those tiny details into view, creating a fascinating portrait that is uniquely yours.
 
capture
 
Step 1
 
Your iris is photographed up close using specialized macro photography and lighting designed to reveal its incredible detail. The process is quick, comfortable and completely non-invasive. The photography portion takes less than 5-7 minutes per eye.
 
 
edit
 
Step 2
 
Your photograph is carefully edited to isolate the iris, remove light and eyelash reflections, and showcase the colors, textures and patterns that make it unique. This process takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes per eye.
 
 
art
 
Step 3
 
Choose how you'd like to see your iris brought to life, from a beautifully detailed individual iris to artistic designs featuring couples, families and more. Utah Iris Photographer has an expansive art catalog to choose from. Your images are delivered via an online gallery with easy downloading, built in print store where you can buy your art and it ships directly to you!
 
No Two Irises Are Exactly Alike
Brown eyes can reveal incredible amber and golden fibers and hidden caves called crypts. Blue eyes can contain layers of gray, white and even hints of yellow. Hazel and green eyes can become an explosion of colors you may never have realized were there.
Even your own two eyes can be surprisingly different from one another.
WHAT WILL YOURS REVEAL?
FEATURES OF THE IRIS
It never gets old seeing all the cool features our eyes hold as I see them revealed in front of my lens. Here are just a few of many awesome things you might see that you never knew were there!
eye color rarity
Personally I think the DMV needs more color categories than the standard blue, green, brown, hazel options but if eyes had to be in only those categories, here are the chances you were born with one of those categories according to the googles.
book your iris session online!
 
FAQ
How old do you have to be for an iris session?
I typically recommend if you will be having photographs done for your children, that they be at least 5 years of age, it can be a little challenging as iris photography depends on as little movement as possible so it really all depends on how wiggly and how capable they are to take directions during the session. (I was a complete wiggle worm and out of control at the age of 5 haha so I know I would've driven my mom nuts if subjected to an iris session, but I am 99.9% certain your children are less crazy than I was as a toddler haha)
I have photographed a couple of 3 yer olds but those took an absolute miracle to pull off. Feel free to reach out if you have additional questions on ages of your children or any other concerns.
How far in advance should we book?
Sessions times are limited so I recommend booking as soon as possible especially around the holidays. I open my books one month from the current date on a rolling basis. If you need to book further out, I do offer the option to request advance bookings found via the link at the bottom of each session calendar and those are reviewed on a case by case basis. Please reach out if you have further questions on availability and booking and I'd be happy to help out.
How long does it take to get our photos?
After your session is photographed, I begin the editing process of downloading the files and combining your multiple iris photos into a single digital image and that editing process can sometimes be quite involved. My editing process averages anywhere from 30 minutes up to 1 hour per iris. Most sessions I can turn around within a day or two but worst case scenario it could be 1 week for gallery delivery. I promise I will do the best to get you your gallery as soon as possible while not compromising quality.
Do you offer prints?
Yes! Every online gallery I deliver has a convenient built in store where you can order prints of your favorite images. There is everything from framed prints, standard photo prints, gorgeous wall art printed on either acrylic or metal prints, and so much more. Orders are printed through my professional lab and shipped directly to. your house no matter where you live.
what if I wear contacts
I strongly recommend removing your contact lenses prior to the session. With macro photography the lens will capture close ups of your iris in great detail and the lights will illuminate and reflect off the contact lens so it's best they are removed for the session to get the sharpest clearest image possible.
I do have disposable contact trays and contact solution that I provide at the studio if you need to remove your contacts for the session provided at no charge
how long does the iris session take
Most sessions on average can be photographed in less than 7-8 minutes per iris if everything goes as expected or anywhere up to 10 minutes. However I like to book 15 minutes per iris just as a buffer. The process involves taking several images of your eye with different lighting angles and techniques to ensure great detail and focus. A lot of factors such as light sensitivity and your ability to open your eyelids wide enough unassisted will determine the length of the session. I recommend using your phone flashlight and a bathroom mirror to practice keeping your eye open while shining the light from the side so you know in advance how you will do at the iris session.
do you alter the color of my iris
Why Your Iris Might Look Different in Your Portrait
One of the most fascinating things about iris photography is how it reveals details and colors that aren’t always visible to the naked eye. Many clients are surprised, and sometimes even shocked, when their iris portrait looks different than the eye color they’ve always known.
This happens because your eye color isn’t just one color, it’s a complex mixture of layers, textures, pigments, and light reflections. What we see in the mirror is often influenced by lighting, pupil dilation, makeup, surrounding colors, and even what we’re wearing. In contrast, my camera captures your iris under highly controlled lighting, magnification, and with specialized equipment that highlights microscopic detail and subtle tones.
For example:
• Eyes you’ve always thought were “just brown” may reveal gold, amber, green, or even hints of blue.
• Blue eyes may appear more textured and gray-blue or turquoise, depending on the iris structure.
• Green or hazel eyes often surprise people with unexpected blends of color and radiance.
Post-Processing and Color Balance
After the photo is taken, I carefully enhance the image to preserve the true structure, details, and beauty of your iris. My editing process includes:
• Removing reflections or glare
• Enhancing contrast and sharpness to highlight fiber structure
• Balancing light and shadow without altering your natural colors
I never “change” your eye color, but the final image may look different from what you’re used to seeing in the mirror. That’s part of what makes iris photography so special, it captures a side of your eye you’ve likely never seen before.
 
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