Portrait Photography How To

It's almost impossible to pick one favorite lens for portrait photography, which is why pro photographer Julia Trotti has narrowed it down to two primes as her top choice(s): 35mm and 85mm. Why does she pick these two focal lengths, in particular, for shooting portraits?

Watch the video below where she explains why these are her two favorite portrait lenses of all time. Her lens comparison features a behind-the-scenes photo shoot with model Adelaide Sines.

"In today's video I want to share with you why the 35mm and 85mm prime lenses are my favorite portrait lenses," Trotti says. "I will be taking portraits on both these lenses during today's photoshoot and sharing how I use each of them to create a story with my photography. Let me know what your favorite lens duo is in the comments."

For her portrait lens shootout, she is using the Sony A7 III full frame mirrorless camera with the Sony GM 35mm f1.4 and Sony GM 85mm f1.4 lenses.

"I am always going on and on about how the 35mm and 85mm prime lenses are a magical combination together," Trotti says. "So today in a portrait photo shoot behind the scenes, I want to show you why these two lenses are my favorite portrait lenses and how I like to use them together to create a photo shoot."

In the clip, she explains how she switches between the two focal lengths to get different looks in her portraits.

"When I'm shooting with a 35mm and 85mm lens, I normally like to use my 35 for the majority of the photo shoot," Trotti notes. "The reason I like this is because, A: I love distortion. I love that weird funky look that 35mm produces. And B: I also really love to be able to see more of my location. With a 35mm, you don't have as much compression or as much bokeh, even if you're shooting wide open. I really like that you can see texture and color and more of the location that you're shooting in."