1. An apparatus for acquiring biometric information of an individual, the apparatus comprising: a light source, directing visible light towards an eye at or greater than a first angle from a line of sight of the eye, the visible light illuminating the iris for biometric acquisition and having an intensity level that (i) would cause discomfort to the eye if directed at a second angle that is less than the first angle and (ii) exceeds the intensity level of other visible light incident on the cornea; and a sensor, acquiring iris biometric data from the illuminated iris.