When it comes to portrait and family photography, selecting the right lens can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve found that a simple yet highly effective approach works best: using just two focal lengths: 50mm and 85mm. These two lenses allow me to capture stunning, natural-looking portraits while maintaining ease of use and creative flexibility. Let’s explore why these focal lengths are my go-to choices and why they might be perfect for you, too.

Why 85mm Is the Ideal Portrait Lens

The 85mm focal length is widely regarded as one of the best for portraits, and a good reason. It provides a beautiful, natural proportion to human features, avoiding any distortion that wider lenses may introduce. This results in flattering, well-balanced portraits where facial features remain true to life.

Key Advantages of an 85mm Lens:

• Natural Proportions: Unlike shorter focal lengths, 85mm maintains a visually appealing ratio without making faces appear squished or stretched.

• Smooth Background Blur: An 85 mm lens with a wide aperture (such as f/1.8 or f/1.4) creates a stunning bokeh that beautifully isolates your subject from the background.

• Comfortable Working Distance: You don’t need to be too close to your subject, which will help them feel at ease and pose naturally.

Why 50mm Is My Versatile Workhorse

While 85mm is perfect for tight portraits, 50mm offers more flexibility. It allows me to capture both close-ups and broader shots when needed—ideal for family sessions where I want to include multiple people in the frame.

Key Advantages of a 50mm Lens:

• More Room for Composition: If I need a broader perspective, I can step back instead of switching lenses.

• Great for Indoor Shoots: The 50mm focal length works well in smaller spaces where stepping back may not be possible.

• Lightweight and Fast: Most 50mm prime lenses are compact, lightweight, and have a wide aperture, making them excellent for low-light conditions.

The Downsides of Longer and Shorter Focal Lengths

While some photographers opt for longer lenses like 135mm or 200mm, I find that they introduce a few challenges:

• Difficult Communication: Standing too far away makes giving instructions and connecting with the subject harder.

• Heavier Gear: Longer focal lengths often mean bulkier, heavier lenses that can be a strain during extended shoots.

• Limited Space Flexibility: In tighter environments, longer lenses may not allow enough room to frame the shot correctly. Conversely, wider focal lengths (35mm or 24mm) tend to introduce distortion that can make subjects appear unnaturally stretched or squished, which is —something I prefer to avoid in portrait work.

Is There a Perfect Zoom Lens?

Tamron’s 35-150mm f/2-2.8 might be an excellent option for photographers looking for an all-in-one solution. It covers the ideal portrait range (50mm to 85mm) while offering the flexibility to go broader or longer. With a fast aperture and sharp optics, this lens has the potential to be a one-lens solution for portrait and family sessions.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple

Through experience, I’ve learned that fewer choices can make me a better photographer. By mastering 50mm and 85mm, I’ve been able to focus more on composition, lighting, and storytelling rather than constantly switching lenses. These two focal lengths perfectly balance subject proportion, background blur, and usability.

Consider simplifying your gear and working with these two focal lengths to elevate your portrait and family photography. You might find that less is more when capturing beautiful, timeless images.