I’ve shot with a number of camera systems - Panasonic, Canon, Fujifilm and Sony - and various sizes of digital sensors (micro 4/3rds, APS-C, and full-frame), and have landed on my absolute favorite so far, the Sony A7III. This is a workhorse camera with built in in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and a 24.2 MP full-frame sensor. Aside from excellent picture and video quality, and incredible dynamic range, one of the main benefits of buying into the Sony ecosystem is the large variety of lenses available.

This is the portrait champion. Yes, you need a little bit more working distance, given the longer focal length (135mm), but it’s absolutely worth it. This lens is about as sharp as they come, while retaining the beauty bokeh (out of focus areas) that Sony GM lenses are known for. You’d be hard pressed to create a more flattering portrait with any other lens.

Want more contextual, full-body portraits? Want a lens that is blazing fast (f/1.2) AND sharp when shot wide open (at f/1.2)? Want that creamy Sony GM bokeh? This lens is a marvel of modern engineering given what it can accomplish, optically, and it’s a joy to shoot with.

Need something cheaper but of fantastic quality? This lens comes in at the most renown of portrait focal lengths (85mm), and it’s FAST (f/1.4), so you can get shots with amazingly out of focus backgrounds in order to separate your subject from their surroundings, and it’s sharp! I personally think this lens is a steal, and it’s only real quirk is that it shoots on the warmer side (white balance might differ from your other lenses). Either way - if you’re a portrait photographer, a good 85mm deserves a permanent spot in your bag.

Part of the legendary triad of f/2.8 zoom lenses, Sigma has gone above and beyond in regards to image quality with this mirrorless-specific 24-70mm. You can use the wider end (24-50mm) for contextual portraits, group shots, landscape, or street photography, and the telephoto end (50-70mm) for some great classic portraits. This lens is SHARP, and the bokeh is lovely. It’s a do-it-all lens that feels like having a bag full of f/2.8 primes.

Need to get slightly wider than the Sony 135mm, but still want all of the incredible sharpness? Sure, this lens isn’t quite as fast (f/2.8), but it still focuses well in lower light, and it can shoot amazingly sharp MACRO images! I personally love this lens, and opt for it for many portrait sessions.