The Best Canon Lenses for Portrait Photography

Choosing the right lens for portraits can significantly impact the quality and emotion conveyed in each photo. This consideration is particularly crucial for photographers specializing in family and children's portraits, as selecting an appropriate lens can address challenges such as maintaining the right distance and capturing fast-moving subjects.

Coming to you from Sergey Bidun, this informative video showcases Bidun's favorite lenses for family portraits and delves into the nuances of using them effectively during photo shoots. He highlights two lenses: the 70-200mm lens for its versatility with active or shy children and the 85mm f/1.2 lens for its exceptional bokeh and low-light performance. Bidun's practical demonstrations with his son offer real-world insights into how each lens performs in different situations. His approach emphasizes the importance of adaptability in children's and family photography, showcasing how lens choice can enhance the photographer's ability to capture spontaneous and genuine moments.

Bidun also discusses the technical aspects of shooting with these lenses, such as the impact of zoom and aperture settings on the background's appearance and the quality of light in photographs. His experience illustrates that while the 85mm lens is his go-to for cooperative subjects due to its beautiful bokeh and low-light capabilities, the 70-200mm lens is indispensable for less cooperative subjects, allowing him to keep a functional distance without sacrificing image quality. This balance between technical skill and understanding child behavior is crucial for capturing compelling family portraits. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bidun.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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Hi ,i was watching a clip where you was shooting outdoors with a model not your son and you had an item of equipment on the top of you camera that did not look like a flash and i wondered if you could let me know what this is. Many thanks.