Let’s be honest – the eyes have always been a photographer’s dream. They’re windows to the soul, mirrors of emotion, and frankly, a nightmare to light properly without someone blinking at the worst moment. But “eye photography” is no longer just a poetic concept for portraiture lovers. It’s become a full-blown genre in its own right – especially with the rise of iris photography, where the intricate patterns of the human eye are captured in astonishing detail.
So whether you’re here because you’re thinking of getting an eye photo taken, looking to gift one to someone special, or just trying to understand what the hell everyone’s suddenly on about with “macro shots of the soul,” this guide will break it down for you.
What Is Eye Photography?
At its core, eye photography refers to the art of photographing the eye – but that can take several forms:
- Iris Photography: Ultra-close-up shots of the coloured part of the eye (the iris), often used to create stunning wall art or digital prints.
- Creative Eye Portraits: More stylistic shots that include eyes in conceptual or fashion photography.
- Medical Eye Photography: Clinical imagery used for diagnosing eye conditions. Not exactly something you’d frame over the fireplace, but still worth mentioning.
For this guide, we’re sticking to artistic and personal eye photography, with a big focus on iris photography – because that’s where the magic happens.
Iris Photography vs Eye Portraiture – What’s the Difference?
If you’ve seen a stunning print of just an eye with mind-blowing colours and textures that look like the rings of Jupiter, you’ve seen iris photography. These are captured using specialist macro lenses and lighting, often in studio conditions or pop-up events.
On the other hand, eye portraiture is more editorial – think photos that emphasise the expression of the eyes within a full or partial face shot. Both are powerful, but iris photography is all about abstract beauty and detail, not mood or storytelling.
Why Is Eye Photography So Popular?
Here’s the thing: no two irises are the same. Not even in identical twins. The patterns, textures, and colours are completely unique. Combine that with the fact that an iris can resemble alien planets, sea anemones, or nebulae depending on the lighting and equipment used, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind piece of art that’s literally a part of you.
Add in some custom design – say, a family set of four irises in one print, each with a word like love, forever, or chaos incarnate – and it becomes deeply personal.
How Is Eye Photography Done?
1. The Equipment
You can’t just whip out your phone and expect a masterpiece. Professional iris photography usually requires:
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with a dedicated macro lens (often 100mm+)
- Twin flash lighting, typically using ring or side-mounted lights to highlight the iris without reflecting too harshly on the cornea
- Chin/forehead rest to keep the subject still – because at this range, a flinch ruins everything
2. The Process
- Lighting is key – the aim is to bounce light into the eye without overexposing or creating flare.
- Several photos are taken – usually 10 to 15, using alternating flash setups.
- The best image is selected and edited, often with some creative enhancement to bring out the natural colours and remove distracting reflections.
- The final image can be delivered as a digital file, framed print, canvas, or even merged into a multi-iris composition.
What Should You Expect at an Eye Photography Session?
If you’re visiting an iris photography pop-up event or booking a session at home, here’s what to expect:
- Duration: Around 2-5 minutes per person/eye
- No contact with your eye – it’s not optometry!
- You’ll be asked to sit still with your head supported, look at a fixed point, and blink when told.
- The photographer will adjust lighting and settings while checking the image sharpness between shots.
Is Eye Photography Safe?
Yes – when done by a professional using the correct equipment, iris photography is completely safe. The light used is bright but brief – typically a split-second camera flash that won’t damage your eye.
However, if you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy, chronic migraines, or serious eye conditions, it’s a good idea to mention that beforehand. A responsible photographer will advise accordingly – and if they don’t, walk away.
Can Children and Pets Get Their Eyes Photographed?
Children:
Yes – but it depends on their age and ability to sit still. For best results, kids over 6 tend to cooperate well. Younger ones might struggle unless they’re incredibly chill. Due to personal experience, The Touring Eye does not usually photograph children under 6 years old. Ultimately however, the parent knows the child far better than I and if the parent feels confident that the child will be able to keep both its head AND eye still for 5 – 10 seconds at a time, then it is the parents risk to take. Unfortunately it is not typical for a refund to be provided if a good image cannot be obtained from an uncooperative subject.
Pets:
We get asked this a lot. And the answer is… technically yes, but in practice, it’s tricky. Animals don’t follow direction well under flash lighting and don’t tend to appreciate having a lens centimetres from their eyeball. That said, there are some specialist animal photographers who might give it a go.
Editing: Keeping It Real (or Not)
Iris photography can be true to life or digitally enhanced, depending on your preference and the photographer’s style.
- Natural edits: Adjustments for sharpness, contrast, and minor reflections – your eye, but polished.
- Creative edits: Colour boosting, saturation tweaks, or adding textures – think fantasy-style or galactic-themed irises.
Some photographers offer both options, or even side-by-side versions. Just ask. If they won’t tell you what they edit, that’s a red flag.
Common Questions About Eye Photography
❓ Can you take my iris photo if I wear contact lenses?
You’ll need to remove them for the session for the best results. They create a sheen that reflects light unevenly. If you choose not to remove your contact lenses then you will have to accept the consequences if the resulting image is less than perfect.
❓ What about glasses?
Glasses come off. They get in the way of both focus and lighting.
❓ Will it hurt?
Nope. It might feel a little odd having lights flashing near your face, but it’s painless.
❓ How long does it take to get the final photo?
It depends on the photographer. Some offer same-day delivery for digital files (these typically rely heavily on automation and AI to edit the images rather than hand editing); others take 1–5 days for edits and prints.
❓ Can I get more than one person’s iris in a single image?
Yes – multi-iris compositions are hugely popular. Think couples, siblings, families, or even pets (if they cooperate).
Got more questions? Please take a look at my iris photography frequently asked questions
How to Choose a Photographer
There’s been a boom in eye photography over the past few years – and with it, a rise in pop-up events, touring photographers, and social media hype. So how do you find a good one?
Look for someone who:
- Uses professional camera gear, not smartphones
- Shows clear before-and-after examples
- Offers editing transparency
- Has clear pricing (no “message me for quotes”)
- Can answer your questions without vague marketing fluff
Bonus points if they bring their services to you, work flexibly from mobile pop-ups, or even offer iris sessions at your home.
Price Guide – What Should It Cost?
Prices vary, but as a rough UK guide:
| Package | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Single iris digital photo | £30 – £50 |
| Framed print (single iris) (typically A5 size) | £45 – £80 |
| Couple or family composition | £60 – £150+ |
| At-home or private session | £100 – £300 |
The higher end usually includes travel, editing, premium framing, or bespoke artwork. If someone’s charging £10 for a “full iris shoot and print” – well, you’ll probably get what you pay for.
What Makes Eye Photography Special?
Let’s not sugar-coat it: most people have way too many selfies, portraits, and staged family photos. But an iris photograph? That’s different.
It’s abstract, symbolic, utterly personal – and unless someone else has the exact same eyeball as you (which simply isn’t possible), it’s impossible to replicate. Which makes it ideal for:
- Birthday gifts
- Anniversaries
- Memorial keepsakes
- Family wall art
- Self-love reminders (yes, that’s allowed)
It’s a portrait that’s not about your face – it’s about your identity. And that’s what makes it such a powerful form of modern photography.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re intrigued by the science of it all, attracted to the artistic flair, or just want a fancy new canvas that’s literally made of you, eye photography is one of those trends that actually deserves the hype.
Just be smart about it. Choose your photographer wisely, understand what you’re getting, and don’t be afraid to ask questions – especially when you’re paying for bespoke art. And remember: no one else in the world has your eyes. That alone makes it worth capturing.
Want to try it for yourself?
Keep an eye out (pun intended) for local iris photography events or book a session through a travelling professional like The Touring Eye, who takes this mesmerising art on the road across the UK.
Why Waiting for a Touring Eye Pop-Up Is Worth It
Let’s face it — good things are worth the wait. And when it comes to eye photography, rushing the process usually means one thing: soulless, overprocessed images with all the personality of a stock photo.
That’s not what I do.
Every iris photo I produce is hand-edited by me — not some AI bot or one-click Photoshop action. I don’t batch-edit, and I don’t outsource. Each image is carefully tweaked by eye (pun very much intended) to bring out the natural colours and texture of your unique iris. That kind of care takes time. So yes, you might wait up to five days to receive your finished image, but what you get at the end is a one-of-a-kind piece of art, not a cookie-cutter filter job pretending to be bespoke.
Now, I’ve noticed something interesting lately. In quite a few places I’ve either visited or announced plans to visit, new iris photographers have suddenly popped up. Coincidence? Maybe. But more likely, it’s because my work — and my marketing — have been raising awareness and creating demand in these areas. I don’t say this to brag, but because if you’re now seeing five different ads for iris photography in your town, it’s worth asking who’s setting the standard… and who’s just cashing in on the hype.
I’ve been touring the UK doing this for months. I was the first to take iris photography on the road, not just sit in one static studio hoping people wander in. That matters. Because it means this isn’t a side hustle or a gimmick — it’s a passion project that funds my larger goal of documenting life across the UK in images.
So if you’re thinking of booking an eye photography session and wondering whether to go with whoever’s cheapest or available next Tuesday — I’d say hold on. If you want something truly personal, something that hasn’t been churned out by an algorithm, wait for one of my pop-ups. I’ll make sure it’s worth it.
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