Iris Booth enables UTSA Career Center to offer professional-grade photos in a snap

From left to right: Ken Kuwamura, Kimberly Andrews Espy and Mario Vela cut the ribbon for the new Iris Booth, will enable UTSA students, alumni, faculty and staff to take professional quality headshots at no charge.

JANUARY 17, 2023 — The University Career Center (UCC) is kicking off the spring 2023 semester with a unique new resource designed to prepare ’Runners for the workforce.

The Iris Booth, which condenses a full-size photo studio into a modern, 20-square-foot booth featuring high-quality studio lighting and equipment, will enable students, alumni, faculty and staff to take professional quality headshots at no charge. The booth demonstrates the UCC’s continued commitment to engaging and supporting students and alumni as they advance in their careers.

The booth can be accessed any time during the day when the Student Union is open to best accommodate working students’ demanding schedules. After entering a valid email address and accepting the terms of use, the booth provides instructions to help users take the best photos. The photos are available for immediate download after a session. Once the process is complete, users can digitally edit their photos by cropping and touching up the photos, whitening their teeth or applying filters to the shots.

“We are working to offer students every competitive advantage as they embark on the recruiting process.”

LinkedIn reports that profiles with a professional photo are 14 times more likely to be viewed by others. In addition to adding a boost to LinkedIn accounts and other social media channels, headshots taken in the Iris Booth can be added to a company website or a job application.

“The University Career Center is committed to providing the professional development resources that students and alumni need to be successful in the workforce,” said Mario Vela, UTSA assistant vice provost of career-engaged learning. “A resource like the Iris Booth is especially critical at UTSA, a Hispanic Serving Institution. We are working to offer students every competitive advantage as they embark on the recruiting process.”

The Iris Booth is sponsored by UTSA employer partner Union Pacific Railroad (UP). As one of the oldest employer partners of the UTSA Career Center, UP immediately recognized the importance of this resource and how it helps give ’Runners a competitive edge.

Ken Kuwamura, manager of strategic partnerships at UP, was at the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for the booth.

“UTSA has always been a great source for talent. The work ethic and loyalty that the UTSA students bring is amazing,” Kuwamura said. “We will continue to grow our relationship through efforts like the Iris Photo Booth to continue to support the great work the career center is doing.”

The Iris Booth is located in front of the University Career Center (SU 2.02.04) on the second floor of the Student Union on the UTSA Main Campus. It is available immediately for members of the UTSA community who want to take headshots.

— Shruti Anand