Best prime lenses for portrait photography

Portrait photography is such a personal concept. Give five photographers the same lens and model and chances are good that all of the portraits will look completely different. It’s all about personal interpretation and creative style. With the right gear on hand you’ll be able to make your ideas come to life.

We take a look at some of the best prime lenses for portrait photography.

50mm Lens

24mm & 35mm Lenses

Not generally categorised as a portrait lens since they are classic wide angle lenses, but you’ll be surprised with the results of these lenses with regards to portraiture.

The 24mm and 35mm lenses allow you to include more of the surroundings while shooting your subject. It can cause distortion when you get too close to your subject but this can also be a good thing if you’re looking to capture something more creative with angles and framing. This lens is ideal for those looking to capture striking portraits with an edgy look and feel. It’s also great for fashion portraiture because it gives off a dramatic, artistic effect.

24mm Lens

35mm Lens

50mm Lens

Probably one of the most versatile prime lenses – you can use a 50mm lens for just about anything. It’s a favourite among event photographers because it works wonders in tight spaces. You can easily zoom into your subject by moving a little closer, or step back to include more of the surrounding scene and its compact size enables you to move around quickly to capture special moments. With a wide open aperture provides stunning depth of field to keep your subject in focus while the rest of the image is out of focus.

50mm Lens

50mm Lens

50mm Lens

85mm Lens

A classic portrait lens. The 85mm is loved by many because it doesn’t distort facial features and allows you to achieve the same shots as the 50mm while standing further away, allowing some personal space for your subject. With this high-quality glass you can expect pin sharp photos, shot after shot. If you’re looking for a lens that delivers beautifully detailed, natural looking portraits, the 85mm is definitely one of the best.

Best Prime Lenses for Portrait Photography

85mm Lens

100mm, 105mm and 135mm Lenses

Bigger focal length lenses like the 100mm, 105mm and 135mm offer higher compression with little to no perception distortion. The design of the aperture blades within the camera is larger, therefore the bokeh is a lot bigger than for example, a 50mm lens, which means it gives a softer bokeh with a cozier look and feel.

Although they might not generally be used for portraiture but thanks to the pin sharp detail these lenses offer make them exceptional for shooting portraits. These lenses are often used in beauty photography because you can stand further away from the model and still get closeups of makeup and with defined skin texture. Definitely lenses you should try in the future.

100mm Lens

No matter your experience or budget, there’s a lens for everyone. The key is to explore, experiment and enjoy yourself. Our Rentals department offer a wide selection of lenses that you can use to get creative and try something new.