Photos of your iris for the sole purpose of the resulting piece of astounding art. Come see us at a concert/ event or book a private sitting session!
"The eyes are the window to your soul" ~William Shakespeare
FAQ's
What is iris photography?
Iris photography involves using a macro lens and specialized hardware to get a very detailed, close-up photo of your eye. It captures the intricacy and unique "fingerprint" of the eye in a stunning piece of art, suitable for your wall or anywhere else you might like to see it. The images are post-processed over a couple hours using software and meticulous procedures to ensure the best possible art but keeping the "look" and colors of your eye.
Where & when can I do this?
At virtually all concerts and many events at Homer Center for the Arts, as well as scheduling private sittings at Homer Center for the Arts if preferred!
Are there any biometric/security issues?
There are none. Usually the retina is scanned for biometrics, not the iris. In addition, a very small amount of ai is generally needed to perfect some reflections in your photos, making the image of your iris even more unique, and impossible to duplicate.
Can all ages do this?
We recommend ages over 6 simply because they can sit still longer for the procedure. If you have severe sensitivity, recent surgery, or various eye conditions, we recommend consulting with your doctor prior. Cataracts and are generally not a problem unless you've just had surgery - it is good to wait 4-6 weeks.
What do I get for the fee?
For the normal "spontaneous" sitting fee at an event or scheduled at our office, you get an astounding jpg-format image through your email that is suitable for posting to social media, printing at Walmart etc. or using on your phone. For very high resolution images, we sell those for an additional price and you can make beautiful high resolution art prints as large as several feet wide if you wish. However, we offer a plethora of fine quality gifts and prints using your original high resolution image so that you don't need to do all this yourself!
Do I need to prepare for this photograph?
There is no preparation needed, but we recommend removing glasses and contact lenses to reduce glare (soft lenses can usually stay on unless they are colored), avoiding heavy makeup (especially mascara) due to reflections, and avoiding red or bloodshot eyes by staying hydrated.
Is the procedure uncomfortable?
The procedure is basically a photo with a flash on, so the brightness of the flash will feel like it normally does when someone takes your photo. If you have an eyelid that tends to cover the eye, we may ask that you pull it down or up slightly, depending on which one it is. That is the extent of the procedure. It can take a few minutes to line everything up, and we will take 4-5 photos minimum.
How long does the procedure take?
It usually only takes a couple minutes to get a good photo of your iris with this setup. We will have time to discuss personal preferences you might desire with your final artwork, as well as view hard copy examples of the artwork I order.
Can I choose how my iris is edited?
Yes and no. If you book a sitting we will have more time to discuss this. In general we will go for the best combination of true image and contrast/saturation - as purists, we don't like adding a lot of artificial color or contrast. If you'd like freckles removed, just let us know at the time of your photos.
How do I get those extra artistic effects put on my iris?
In general, we include just your iris on black background in the product, which is beautiful alone, but we sometimes offer "proofs" using effects with special offers or if people schedule sittings or are ordering extra gifts.
What gifts and prints do you offer?
We offer prints on a wide range of sizes and sorts of paper and media. In addition, we offer sherpa/fleece blankets, water bottles, acrylic blocks, jewelry and even custom vinyl records with your own requested or provided songs! See the Shop page, and if you don't see something you'd like, just ask!
What if my eye doesn't look good?
You haven't seen a photo of it with a bright flash on! Irises are all entirely unique with different features passed down from previous generations. If anything, people will be astounded by their own eyes as well as others.
Can this be done for animals?
We do not do animals at this time, our apologies. It is possible, but a bit too risky for the equipment used, and difficult to keep the animal still.
Why can't I buy prints or gifts in person at the event?
There are several reasons for our methods, which we recognize are not ideal, but are necessary. 1. Photograph sittings are non-taxed, saving you extra cost and pushing the tax only to gifts that you wish to purchase. 2. There is simply not time at events to sit down and edit/print the files needed (it would also add a large computer and printer to our gear, which is very impractical!). 3. We can make sure you *love* the artwork because you get to see it before you place further orders and incur further expense.
Still have questions?
Please submit any questions/comments below and we will do our best to respond quickly.