The 5 Best Prime Lenses for Portrait Photography

First off, let me say how glad that you’re here! This is a topic that I love talking about and I hope you find it enlightening as you decide which lenses to add to your gear. 🤗

Alright, so I lied, a little. We’re actually going to cover not only prime lenses, but also the pros and cons of using a prime vs. a zoom lens. Now, I'm going to make the case that all professional photographers need to use prime lenses with a mix of zoom lenses, but I’ll let you make your own conclusions on which lenses you need! The beauty of photography is that while there are ways to do it wrong, there are so many ways to do it right.

Regardless if you’ll be buying a Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Sigma, etc. these guidelines will apply for all brand types. Now, you’ll want to do a little more research into what specific type of lens you want for your camera (for example, there are many 50mm lenses that have different minimum aperture capabilities. Not all 50mm’s are created equally and some will be more expensive than others. 

I bet you’ve been wondering, “Why choose a prime lens over a zoom lens?” Well, I’ll tell ya right now. It all comes down to preference, really. But for me, I prefer prime lenses because they force you to move and look for the best angles. They also push you as a photographer more than zoom lenses do. Now, that being said, there are times (depending on the type of photography that you do) that you will need a zoom lens in order to capture your subject. 

Another reason why I prefer prime lenses is because there tends to be less elements in the lens barrel than a zoom lens. With zoom lenses, you’ll have less warping of the image in the final product. This warping can always be fixed in Lightroom, though. Taking pictures with prime lenses will result in crisper, clearer images all across the board. 

That being said… Prime lenses can be more expensive. However, there are alternatives that can help with the cost! One being: Sigma lenses. 🙌🏼 Sigma is a great alternative to other name-brand lenses like Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Sigma lenses are sturdy and made from quality material. The only con I have come across is that they’re a little heavier than their name-brand counterparts. Other than that, they are basically the same! Now for me, that really makes it worth the lower cost. I’m sticking with Sigma over Nikon or Canon any day.

Alright, well what do you say we get into a little compare and contrast on our prime lenses? Let’s do it. 😎

24mm - If you’re a landscape photographer, this is a must-have lens. As a wide-angle lens, it’s great for capturing more of the scene in your images. good for portrait photography where you want to include more of the landscape. 24mm lenses also have an amazing capability for low-light and night photography, especially astrology photos. Get some great shots of the Milky Way!

35mm - This lens is another favorite when it comes to not just portrait photography but landscape, street photography, architecture, product, and even macro photography. This lens is considered the beginning of wide-angle lenses, which almost always delivers great images and will show the subject as well as the environment surrounding it, too. It’s a very versatile lens. The 35mm lens is most similar to what you see with your own eyes. Most beginner photographers start out with either this lens or the 50mm. 

50mm - the “nifty-fifty,” as many call it. This is a good all around lens that is a favorite for many photographers. There is extensive information about this lens out there on the internet, but I will say that 50mm lenses often have more capability for a wider aperture (a good aperture is f/1.4 for a 50mm lens), making it very ideal for that blurry background and really making your subject pop.

60mm macro (sometimes referred to as micro) - this is a must for more detailed shots of smaller items. Many wedding photographers use this lens to take detail shots of the wedding rings, the bride’s shoes, or other decor on the wedding day.

85mm - Another great portrait lens! The 85mm allows the photographer to take portraits without needing to get too close to the subject. There are all kinds of perks to 85mm lenses: it’s lightweight, the fast speed and wide aperture also make it an ideal lens for events like weddings and couple shoots.

Okay, I know I just spent this whole time trying to sell you on prime lenses, but I have to mention the 70-200mm zoom lens. It’s a great lens that (in my opinion) is going to be necessary for every aspiring professional photographer to have in their arsenal, as it is very versatile. It can be used for a variety of photography types, especially for sports, wildlife, and landscape photography. It can even be used for weddings (you’ll want something that can catch every moment when the bride is walking down the aisle!)

Well folks, there you have it! That was a lot to go through, but I hope you learned a thing or two about what types of lenses to include in your photography gear. If you’re hesitant to purchase one without trying it out first, it is wise to rent a lens or (if they’re kind and trusting) borrow a friend’s lens. Often what happens, is that the first lens you start shooting with ends up being your favorite, since its the one you become comfortable with first. I’ve known a ton of people that LOVE the 35mm and just can’t convert over to the 50mm, some who are die-hard nifty-fifty fans, and others that will always hold the 85mm close to their heart. 

In all honesty, you can’t go wrong with any of these lenses! However, my only suggestion about that is to continue to push yourself creatively, and to never be afraid of trying new things. It’s how we improve and keep things interesting, right? I hope you find some lenses that really work for you! Happy capturing!