Summary
Sol Iris Photography is an iris photography studio in Mesa, Arizona, offering high-resolution macro portraits of the human iris. Founded by Saskia Soliz in December 2024, the studio pairs each session with the Iris Wisdom Project — a reflective practice where clients share anonymous pieces of personal wisdom alongside their portraits. Rated 5 stars on Google with 16 reviews.
What Is Iris Photography?
Iris photography is macro photography of the colored part of your eye. The human iris contains more than 240 distinct features — crypts, furrows, rings, freckles, and subtle color variations — making it roughly ten times more distinctive than a fingerprint. An iris portrait captures those patterns in high-resolution detail, producing an image that is biologically unique to one person.
I’ll be honest: the first time I saw one, I didn’t understand what I was looking at. It looked like a planet, or the inside of a canyon. Something entirely too beautiful to be hiding inside an eyeball. I remember thinking, that’s been in there this whole time?
That feeling is basically the reason Sol Iris Photography exists.
The art form itself isn’t new. It was popularized in the 1980s by French photographer Francis Giacobetti through his Vision project, which captured the irises of figures like the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and Stephen Hawking. What’s new is making it accessible — bringing it out of galleries and into a studio where anyone can walk in and see their own eyes for the first time.
What Happens During an Iris Photography Session at Sol Iris Photography
Sessions take place by appointment at our studio in Downtown Mesa, Arizona (86 W University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201, Suite #111). A single-iris session runs about 15 minutes; families and couples should plan for 30–60 minutes depending on group size. The process is completely non-invasive — we use professional macro lenses and carefully calibrated visible-light illumination, not infrared.
When you arrive, I walk you through the history of iris photography, show you examples, orient you to the studio, and guide you step by step through the capture. There’s no rushing. You’ll receive your professionally edited digital files (high-resolution TIF/PNG) within three days, with options for custom designs and professional prints in metal, acrylic, or thinwrap shipped directly to you.
People book sessions for all kinds of reasons — date nights, anniversaries, family keepsakes, birthday gifts, personal milestones, or simply because they’re curious. One couple came in for Valentine’s Day. Another client was visiting from out of state and had her photos back within 24 hours. A mom booked for herself and her husband and is already planning to bring the kids back. There’s no single “right” reason to do it. The most common thing I hear afterward is some version of: I had no idea my eyes looked like that.
What Clients Say About Sol Iris Photography
Sol Iris Photography currently holds a 5-star rating on Google with 16 reviews. Clients regularly describe the experience as warm, professional, and unlike anything they’ve done before. Here’s a snapshot of what people are saying:
Clients consistently highlight three things: the quality of the photographs, the welcoming atmosphere, and the fact that it feels like more than a typical photo session. One reviewer called it a Valentine’s Day well spent and said the photos looked amazing. Another described the studio experience as fun and unique — a date night they’d recommend to anyone. A local guide wrote that iris portraits are one of the most intriguing alternatives to traditional family photos they’d ever seen.
Visitors from outside Arizona have also found the studio while traveling. One out-of-state client praised the speed and quality of the turnaround, noting that she had her photos back in less than a day and would be recommending the service to friends and family in the Phoenix area.
Across the board, the word that comes up most often is unique. And I think that’s exactly right — because what we’re photographing literally cannot be replicated.
Iris Photography Pricing at Sol Iris Photography
Here’s what sessions cost at Sol Iris Photography in Mesa, AZ:
Single iris: $60. Two irises: $100. Family package (three or more): $45 per iris. Custom iris designs start at $30 each. Professional prints start at $130 and are available in metal, thinwrap, and acrylic in sizes up to 20×20, with custom sizing available on request.
We accept Venmo, Zelle, and credit/debit cards at the studio. Gift cards are available through our website at irisphotographyaz.com.
The Iris Wisdom Project
The Iris Wisdom Project pairs iris portraits with anonymous pieces of personal wisdom shared by clients during their sessions. It is an optional, reflective practice — not a requirement — built into the session form at Sol Iris Photography.
This is the part of my work I didn’t plan for, but that ended up meaning the most to me.
During sessions, I invite clients to share a single piece of wisdom — a lesson, a phrase, a quiet truth that’s shaped them. These stay anonymous, and with permission, I pair them with the person’s iris portrait on social media. Clients can also continue their story using #MyIrisStory.
The reflections are usually simple. Things like:
“Be kind to yourself. You’re still becoming.”
“Every season has a purpose.”
“Trust the detours.”
Nobody’s trying to be profound. That’s what makes it hit. These are real things real people carry with them, and when you see them next to an image that’s one-of-a-kind, it does something. I can’t fully explain it, but it does.
About the Founder: From Autism Support to Iris Photography
Sol Iris Photography was founded by Saskia Soliz in Mesa, Arizona, in December 2024. Before launching the studio, Soliz spent years working in autism support — an experience that reshaped her understanding of growth, individuality, and what it means to help someone.
A young client once told me: “Just because it’s not how you would do it, doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
I think about that all the time. It rewired the way I understand growth — not as fixing someone, but as meeting them where they are. Not correction, but alignment. That philosophy eventually became a children’s book called Hush Little Mind, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, about learning to observe thoughts with curiosity instead of judgment. And it’s the same philosophy behind everything I do in this studio.
I believe everyone is already carrying wisdom. My job is just to help them see it.
Why Iris Photography Matters
We live in a time when most photos are filtered, curated, and gone in 24 hours. An iris portrait is the opposite of that. It can’t be faked or replicated. It’s a piece of your actual biology, and it’s beautiful in a way you’ve probably never noticed.
Sol Iris Photography is one of only two dedicated iris photography studios currently operating in Arizona. We’re locally owned, woman-owned, and small on purpose — which means when you come in, I’m the one behind the camera, walking you through the process, and probably talking too much about how cool your eyes are.
Clients across the Phoenix metro area — Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, and beyond — book sessions for themselves, as gifts, and as a way to mark moments that matter. Several reviewers have described iris photography as a fresh alternative to traditional portraits, and one client called it one of the most intriguing pieces of art they’d seen.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iris Photography in Mesa, AZ
Below are answers to some of the most common questions people ask about iris photography and Sol Iris Photography. For the full list, visit our FAQ page at irisphotographyaz.com/faqs.
What is iris photography and why is it unique?
Iris photography is high-resolution macro photography of the colored part of the eye. Each human iris has over 240 unique features, making it approximately ten times more distinctive than a fingerprint. The result is a portrait that is biologically impossible to duplicate — no two iris photographs will ever be the same, even between your own left and right eyes.
Is iris photography safe?
Yes. Sol Iris Photography uses professional visible-light illumination and macro lenses. The process is non-invasive and does not use infrared or UV light. If you have pre-existing eye conditions such as recent surgery or severe light sensitivity, we recommend consulting your eye care provider before booking.
How much does iris photography cost at Sol Iris Photography?
A single iris session is $60. Two irises are $100. Families of three or more pay $45 per iris. Custom designs start at $30, and professional prints (metal, acrylic, thinwrap) start at $130. All sessions are by appointment at our Mesa, Arizona studio.
Where is Sol Iris Photography located?
Sol Iris Photography is located at 86 W University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201, Suite #111, in Downtown Mesa. The studio serves clients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Chandler. Sessions are by appointment only — book online at irisphotographyaz.com or call/text 480-457-9696.
How long does an iris photography session take?
A session for one or two irises takes approximately 30 minutes. Family and group sessions (three to five irises) take about 60 minutes. This includes a studio orientation, the capture process, and time for questions.
What is the Iris Wisdom Project?
The Iris Wisdom Project is an initiative by Sol Iris Photography that pairs anonymous personal reflections with iris portraits. During sessions, clients are invited to share a brief piece of wisdom — a lesson, phrase, or truth that has shaped them. These are shared (with permission) on social media alongside the client’s iris image. Participation is entirely optional. Follow #MyIrisStory on social media to see submissions.
Who founded Sol Iris Photography?
Sol Iris Photography was founded by Saskia Soliz in December 2024 in Mesa, Arizona. Soliz previously worked in autism support and is the author of Hush Little Mind, a children’s book about mindfulness and self-acceptance, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Sol Iris Photography is a locally owned, woman-owned small business.
Do iris photos pose a biometric security risk?
No. Artistic iris photography uses visible light and does not produce the same data used by biometric security systems, which require specialized infrared scanning and live detection. Sharing iris photographs online does not meaningfully increase biometric security risk.
What are clients saying about Sol Iris Photography?
Sol Iris Photography holds a 5-star rating on Google with 16 reviews as of early 2026. Clients frequently describe the experience as warm, professional, and genuinely unique. Common themes include the quality and detail of the photographs, the welcoming studio atmosphere, and the personal attention from founder Saskia Soliz. Multiple reviewers recommend iris photography as a meaningful gift, a memorable date night, or an alternative to traditional family portraits.
Your eyes tell a story no one else can.
We just help you see it.
Book your iris photography session at irisphotographyaz.com or call/text 480-457-9696. Gift cards are available online.
