Choosing the Best Lens for Portrait Photography

Choosing the Best Lens for Portrait Photography. At Kelly Tareski Photography, we know that selecting the right lens can make or break a portrait session. The perfect lens enhances your subject’s features, creates stunning bokeh, and helps you capture the essence of your client’s personality.

In this guide, we’ll share our expertise on choosing the best lens for portrait photography. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro looking to expand your photography education, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

What Makes a Great Portrait Lens?

Portrait photography requires the right tools to capture the essence of your subject. The lens you choose plays a pivotal role in achieving stunning results. Let’s explore the key factors that make a great portrait lens.

Focal Length: Shaping Perspective

The focal length of your lens significantly impacts the look of your portraits. Shorter focal lengths (like 35mm) can distort facial features when used up close, while longer focal lengths (such as 85mm or 135mm) compress features in a flattering way. Many photographers find both 50mm and 85mm focal lengths to be staples for portrait photography, as they create a natural perspective that clients often prefer.

Aperture: The Art of Background Blur

A wide aperture (low f-number) allows you to create beautiful background blur, known as bokeh. This effect isolates your subject and adds depth to your images. Lenses with maximum apertures of f/1.8 or wider excel in portrait work. For example, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM offers an incredibly shallow depth of field, perfect for creating portraits with creamy backgrounds.

Prime vs. Zoom: Balancing Quality and Flexibility

While zoom lenses offer versatility, prime lenses often provide superior image quality and wider maximum apertures. Many portrait photographers reach for prime lenses due to their exceptional sharpness and ability to create beautiful bokeh. However, a high-quality zoom (like the 70-200mm f/2.8) can prove invaluable for outdoor sessions where quick adaptation to different shooting scenarios is necessary.

When choosing between prime and zoom lenses, consider your shooting style and the types of portraits you typically create. If you primarily work in a studio setting, a set of prime lenses might suit you best. For on-location shoots with varied environments, a versatile zoom could be more practical.

Image Stabilization: Steady Shots in Low Light

Image stabilization technology (either in-lens or in-camera) can help you achieve sharper images, especially in low-light situations. This feature allows you to use slower shutter speeds without introducing camera shake, which can be particularly useful when shooting portraits in natural light.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

For professional portrait photographers who frequently shoot outdoors, weather-sealed lenses offer protection against dust and moisture. This durability ensures your equipment can withstand various environmental conditions, allowing you to focus on capturing beautiful portraits without worrying about your gear.

The best lens for portrait photography ultimately helps you achieve your creative vision while delivering the quality your clients expect. As you explore different options, try renting lenses to test their performance in real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience will guide you towards the perfect lens for your portrait photography needs.

Now that we’ve covered the essential characteristics of a great portrait lens, let’s dive into some popular lens options that photographers frequently use for stunning portrait work.

Top Portrait Lenses for Stunning Results

At Kelly Tareski Photography, we’ve tested numerous lenses over our two decades in the industry. Here’s our rundown of the most popular portrait lenses that consistently deliver exceptional results.

The 85mm Prime: Portrait Photography’s Gold Standard

The 85mm prime lens stands out as a top choice for portrait photographers. Its focal length creates a flattering perspective, compressing facial features just enough to be pleasing without distortion. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, for instance, offers an incredibly shallow depth of field (perfect for creating portraits with dreamy, creamy backgrounds).

The 85mm focal length allows for comfortable working distances, especially in studio settings. You can maintain a natural conversation with your subject without invading their personal space, which helps capture genuine expressions.

Versatility of the 50mm Prime

The 50mm prime (often called the “nifty fifty”) excels in various portrait styles. Its perspective closely matches the human eye, resulting in natural-looking images. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, for example, is an affordable option that delivers sharp images with beautiful bokeh.

The 50mm proves particularly useful for environmental portraits, where you want to include some context around your subject. It’s also an excellent choice for full-body shots, making it a go-to lens for many senior portrait sessions.

The 70-200mm Zoom: Flexibility and Compression

While prime lenses often steal the spotlight, the 70-200mm zoom lens serves as a workhorse in portrait photography. The barrel has several custom function buttons on the lens that can be customized, offering exceptional flexibility throughout its zoom range.

The longer focal lengths in this range (135mm-200mm) create stunning compression effects, blurring backgrounds into smooth, creamy bokeh. This lens proves particularly useful for outdoor sessions where you need to adapt quickly to different environments and lighting conditions.

The 35mm Prime: Storytelling Through Environmental Portraits

For photographers looking to capture more than just the subject, the 35mm prime lens serves as an excellent choice. The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, for instance, offers a wider field of view that’s perfect for environmental portraits, allowing you to include more context and tell a fuller story.

This lens works well for on-location family sessions or lifestyle branding shoots, where showcasing the subject in their element is important. The wider perspective also excels for group portraits, making it a versatile addition to any portrait photographer’s kit.

The best lens for you depends on your specific needs, shooting style, and the types of portraits you typically create. Try experimenting with different focal lengths to find what works best for your vision and clients. Now, let’s explore the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect portrait lens for your needs.

How to Choose Your Perfect Portrait Lens

Match Your Lens to Your Location

Your shooting environment influences lens selection. For studio work, an 85mm prime lens excels, allowing flattering close-ups without crowding your subject. In outdoor or tight spaces, a 35mm or 50mm lens might suit better. These wider angles capture more surroundings, adding context to your portraits.

For outdoor sessions, a versatile zoom like the 70-200mm allows quick adaptation to changing scenes without constant lens switches. This telephoto lens can easily remove distracting elements from your frame, giving you more control over your portrait backgrounds.

Create the Perfect Bokeh

Background blur quality (bokeh) can elevate or diminish a portrait. Lenses with wider apertures (lower f-numbers) typically produce smoother, more pleasing bokeh. The Canon 85mm f/1.2, for instance, creates stunningly soft backgrounds that make subjects stand out.

However, the widest aperture isn’t always optimal. Shooting at f/2.8 or f/4 can provide enough separation while keeping more of your subject in focus. This proves useful for group portraits or when you want to include more environmental context.

Balance Quality and Cost

While high-end lenses tempt, they’re not always necessary. Mid-range options often provide excellent quality at a fraction of the cost. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art lens, for example, offers comparable performance to pricier brand-name alternatives.

Try renting lenses before buying. This allows you to test different options in real-world scenarios without committing to a purchase. Many photographers find that a $500 lens meets their needs as well as a $2000 one.

When budgeting, include additional costs like filters and lens hoods. These accessories can significantly enhance your lens’s performance and longevity. A high-quality UV filter can protect your lens from scratches and dust (potentially saving you from costly repairs).

Invest in Your Skills

Quality lenses matter, but your skills matter more. The best lens won’t compensate for poor technique. Allocate some of your budget to workshops or online courses to enhance your portrait photography skills.

Consider Compatibility and Future Upgrades

Ensure your chosen lens fits your current camera system and aligns with your future upgrade plans. Some lenses (like those for full-frame cameras) may not work optimally on crop-sensor bodies. Think about your long-term photography goals when selecting a lens to avoid unnecessary replacements down the line.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the perfect lens for portrait photography requires experimentation and discovery. Factors such as focal length, aperture, and lens type shape your portraits significantly. We encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try different focal lengths to find your unique style.

Investing in quality glass matters, but investing in your photography education matters more. Enhancing your skills through workshops or courses will elevate your work beyond what any equipment alone can achieve. At Kelly Tareski Photography, we value continuous learning to capture timeless, elegant portraits.

Your chosen lens is a tool to bring your creative vision to life. Whether you capture senior portraits, family moments, or professional headshots, the right lens will help you create stunning images. Take time to explore and find the lenses that speak to your artistic voice (your perfect portrait lens awaits). Choosing the Best Lens for Portrait Photography.