My Top 3 Go-To Lenses As A Photographer

One of the best parts about being a photographer is getting to work with a variety of lenses during each session. Every lens has its own “personality,” and each one helps tell a different part of your story.

Whether I’m photographing a fast-moving toddler, a sleepy newborn, or a detail-filled wedding day, the lenses I choose play a huge role in the final look of the images. Today, I’m sharing my top three go-to lenses, why I love them, and the specific purpose each one serves in my workflow.

Tamron 24–70mm f/2.8 Zoom: My Most Used Lens

My Tamron 24–70mm 2.8 is hands-down the lens I reach for the most.

Because it’s a zoom lens, it gives me the flexibility to adjust my focal length quickly without constantly moving around the room, super helpful during sessions with kids, families, or any unpredictable moment. Even though it’s a zoom, I’m always mindful of compression. As the focal length increases, the background naturally compresses, creating beautiful depth and a more flattering look on my subjects.

That’s why I often try to shoot closer to 70mm and physically move my feet to get the composition I want. On the flip side, distortion can become an issue when shooting under 50mm, especially with faces. So whenever possible, I stick to 50mm and above for cleaner, more accurate lines. This lens is truly the workhorse in my bag, versatile, consistent, and perfect for almost any session.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Prime: The Background-Blur Dream Lens

Next up is my Nikon 50mm 1.8, one of my favorite prime lenses. Since it’s a prime, there’s no zooming, it forces you to slow down, be intentional, and move with purpose. What I love most is the beautiful background blur (bokeh) it creates, even in busy locations.

This lens shines when I know I have time with my subject. Senior portraits, newborn sessions, and any slow, guided session are perfect for it. Because I’m not rushing to “get the shot,” the 50mm allows me to focus on composition, connection, and creativity.

It produces clean, crisp images with gorgeous separation between the subject and the background, making it one of my absolute favorites.

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro: The Detail Queen

Last but definitely not least is my Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro lens. If you’ve ever tried to get super close to a subject like a ring shot at a wedding or tiny newborn eyelashes, you’ve probably noticed your camera struggling to focus.

That’s where this lens becomes essential. Macro lenses are designed specifically for up-close detail work, allowing you to capture tiny features with incredible sharpness.

What I love about this lens is that it pulls double duty.

It’s amazing for standard portraits but also unbeatable for detailed shots. I can capture a bride’s ring, intricate lace, or sweet baby toes without backing up or battling with my focus. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

Closing Thoughts

These three lenses cover almost every situation I encounter during my sessions, and I rely on them for consistency, creativity, and quality.

If you have any questions about lenses, shooting techniques, or what gear might work best for your own photography journey, feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to help. And if you want access to even more behind-the-scenes content, tips, resources, and education, I have a ton available over on my Patreon.

I’d love to see you there!