If you love taking portraits, the right lens can make a big difference. The lens affects how your subject looks, how sharp the photo is, and how nice the background looks. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, here are five lenses that every portrait photographer should consider.
- 50mm f/1.8 – The Everyday Favourite
The 50mm lens is often called the “nifty fifty.” It’s small, light, and not too expensive. It gives a natural look, similar to what the human eye sees. The wide f/1.8 aperture lets in lots of light and makes the background nice and blurry, which is great for portraits. This is a perfect lens for beginners.
Best for: Everyday portraits, natural light shots
Good options: Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM, Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8, Sony 50mm f/1.8
- 85mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 – The Portrait Pro
The 85mm lens is a favorite among portrait photographers. It makes people’s faces look more flattering and creates beautiful background blur (called bokeh). It’s perfect for close-up shots like headshots. The f/1.4 version is more expensive but gives even creamier bokeh.
Best for: Headshots, close-up portraits
Good options: Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM, Canon RF 85mm f/1.2, Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8
- 70-200mm f/2.8 – The Zoom Lens
This is a zoom lens, which means you can change the focal length without switching lenses. It’s great for events like weddings where you need to move fast. It also gives nice background blur and keeps your subject looking sharp. The f/2.8 version works well in low light too.
Best for: Events, weddings, outdoor portraits
Good options: Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, Sony 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8
- 35mm f/1.4 – For Storytelling Portraits
The 35mm lens lets you capture more of the scene around your subject. It’s perfect for lifestyle or travel portraits where the background adds to the story. It’s wide, but not too wide, and gives a sharp image with nice bokeh.
Best for: Lifestyle, travel, environmental portraits
Good options: Sigma 35mm f/1.4, Canon RF 35mm f/1.8, Sony 35mm f/1.4
- 135mm f/1.8 – For Beautiful Backgrounds
The 135mm lens isn’t as common, but it’s amazing for outdoor portraits. It makes the background super blurry and helps your subject stand out. This lens is great for full-body or waist-up shots when you have room to back up.
Best for: Outdoor portraits, fashion, artistic shots
Good options: Sony 135mm f/1.8, Canon 135mm f/2L, Sigma 135mm f/1.8
Final Thoughts
Every lens on this list brings something special to your portrait photography. If you’re just starting, the 50mm is a great first lens. As you grow, adding different lenses will help you take more creative and professional-looking photos. The right lens can help you tell better stories and capture people in the best light.
