The University of Akron School of Law acquires Iris Air Professional Photo Booth

Preparing for a future legal career can be a challenging journey for any law student. Among the many important milestones along the way, obtaining a professional headshot is a crucial step in building a strong personal brand and making a lasting impression.

The University of Akron School of Law students, faculty, staff and alumni now have access to a unique and cutting-edge resource, as Akron Law has become the first law school in Ohio to offer the Iris Air Photo Booth, a state-of-the-art, do-it-yourself professional headshot machine.

The Iris Air Professional Photo Booth utilizes technology and innovation to support professional development while reducing stress and financial barriers. Iris is easy to use – with just a few taps on a touchscreen, students can quickly acquire high-quality headshots, complete with pose suggestions and editing tools, all at no cost. Headshots are then immediately emailed to the user and remain accessible for one year. “Iris allows students to easily create a professional image for LinkedIn, Symplicity profiles, or even when featured in legal publications or conferences,” said Emily Janoski-Haehlen, dean of the University of Akron School of Law. “The booth directly meets the needs of our law students and alumni, and I’m grateful we can empower our Akron Law community with this service,”

The Iris Air booth is centrally located on the second floor of the School of Law off the Veterans’ Lounge near the vending machines and Career Closet. The booth is equipped with simple instructions guiding users through the process of taking professional headshots.

The Iris Air booth, made possible through the generous support of the Beatrice K. McDowell Family Fund, is available free of charge to all Akron Law students, alumni, faculty and staff during School of Law operating hours. It will be featured at future fairs and events.

“Before Iris, students could only access free headshots during specific events like career fairs or graduate fairs,” said Alisa Benedict O’Brien, assistant dean of career services, strategic initiatives and external affairs, who played a key role in bringing the device to the School of Law. “These events were limited in scope and timing. We wanted to create a convenient, accessible and cost-free option that would allow students to get headshots whenever they need them—whether for job applications, interviews or other professional opportunities. This service not only alleviates stress but also saves students the expense of hiring a professional photographer.”