Students at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith have another tool for success thanks to a new professional headshot studio powered by Iris Booth technology. 

The UAFS Portrait on Demand Studio officially opened Monday, Nov. 14, offering members of the university community access to no-cost professional quality headshots for use in their professional biographies and online profiles.

The Iris Booth is located on the second floor of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center and is available for use during all hours the second floor is open.

“The beauty of a selfie is that the user can see themselves and the angles they prefer of their own face, and then snap an image they can use in an instant,” said Rachel Putman, Associate Director of Strategic Communications at UAFS. “The Iris Booth offers our students, faculty, staff, and alumni the same experience, but with a professional quality output.”

“Better still, the Iris Booth supports our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by opening access to all members of our campus community, no matter their background. It removes the financial and scheduling barriers that might have otherwise prevented them from accessing a high-quality portrait.”

UAFS is the first institution in Arkansas to offer students this kind of on-demand access to portrait photography.

The booth, which occupies just 20 square feet, features energy-efficient lighting, a sleek grey backdrop, and an adjustable stool to ensure a comfortable experience for every user. Each session takes about five minutes, using a touchless mobile app, and final images are uploaded to a private server and emailed to the individual. 

Putman said the touchless self-service options address serious concerns raised during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the inherently close nature of portrait photography. A fully contactless experience in the booth eliminates the risk to photographers and portrait subjects.

“The CEO and founder of Iris, Sue Siri, has decades of experience in the portraiture field, and when demand for high-end headshots became overwhelming, she saw an opportunity to automate through technology,” Putman said. “So this booth is a true replica of the studio experience, with soft, balanced lighting and a high-resolution digital image. It even uses artificial intelligence to offer posing suggestions and built-in editing features, including blemish touch-ups and teeth whitening.”

For students who need new or updated wardrobe options for their headshots, the UAFS Career Services Office offers a robust Professional Clothing Closet, which provides free professional clothing in various sizes and styles.

 University faculty and staff will also be able to use the booth to seamlessly update their university biographies through the institution’s new online directory. UAFS alums are invited to contact the UAFS Alumni office to schedule a drop-in headshot.

Questions about the UAFS Portrait studio may be addressed to Portraits@uafs.edu.