Sony has a stellar lineup of prime lenses that are perfect for capturing stunning portraits. Whether you're shooting in a studio or on location, the right lens can make all the difference. Here we explore some of the best Sony prime lenses for portrait photography along with thoughts from creators who have used them.

Whether you're shooting in a studio or on location, the right lens can make all the difference. See which Sony lenses portrait photographers rely on the most.

Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II

The Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II is a portrait photographer’s dream. Known for its exceptional bokeh and sharpness, this lens is perfect for isolating your subject from the background, creating a stunning, three-dimensional effect. The large f/1.4 aperture allows for superb low-light performance and beautiful background blur. With its advanced autofocus capabilities, you can easily capture sharp, intricately detailed portraits, making this lens a go-to choice for both professional and amateur photographers.

Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II

Wedding and elopement photographer Henry Tieu has an intentional approach when it comes to photographing a couple's portraits on their special day, and he says the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II helps him with that approach. “It's super-fast,” he explains. “I can just stand in one spot and I know that I can get my focus dialed in. And with the focal length of 85mm, I can be further away from the subject and I don't have to really worry about interfering with a moment.” Read more in Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II: The New Must-Have For This Wedding Pro.

Photo by Henry Tieu. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/800-sec., f/4, ISO 250

Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles has explored the many benefits of the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II, and calls the 85mm focal length easily his all-time, most-used for portrait photography. “It does an amazing job of giving you great compression for portrait work,” he explains, “and when you’re shooting wide open at f/1.4 the backgrounds end up looking magical. I also appreciated the image quality of this lens, especially when shooting with it wide open. I know that the quality of bokeh is very important for some photographers, but equally important for me is the ability to get whatever it is that I’m photographing to appear sharp and detailed.” Read more in Hands-On With The New Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II and watch him use the lens for a few portrait sessions in the video below.

Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master

The Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master is a bokeh king in Sony’s lens lineup. The telephoto prime lens gives you an incredible focal length for portraits because it provides a pleasing compression that flattens facial features in a flattering way. The f/1.8 aperture ensures you get sharp images even in low-light conditions, and the background blur is creamy and smooth so your subject pops. Its fast and precise autofocus makes it an ideal option for capturing candid shots and moving subjects.

Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master

Portrait photographer Hananiah Aldrich (@niahrosephoto) shoots both in the studio and on location. She added the Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master to her portrait kit and says she primarily uses this lens for headshots, and portraits on location. "It is sharp, fast, and the way it compresses the background outside is unlike any other lens I own," she says. "The bokeh is beautiful." Read more in What’s In My Bag: A G Master Prime & Zoom Kit For Max-Color Portraits.

Photo by Hananiah Aldrich. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/8, ISO 125

Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master

For those who prefer a more versatile focal length, the Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master is an excellent choice. Often referred to as the "nifty fifty," this lens strikes a balance between portrait and general photography. The wide f/1.2 aperture gives you dramatic bokeh and incredible low-light performance, making it perfect for portraiture in various lighting conditions. Its sharpness and color rendition are top-notch, and deliver beautiful, detailed portraits.

Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master

Sony Artisan Jermaine Horton shoots professional wedding and portrait photography, and he calls the Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master his favorite lens. "OK…THIS might truly be my favorite lens. The 135mm was my baby for so long and still is, but sometimes it’s not ideal because you have to be back so far. The 50mm puts me up close and in the action. If you are looking for sharpness, true color rendering, and speed – this is it! There have been times when this lens would never leave my camera. From weddings to portraits and more…this is the one!" Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Complete Photo Kit For Capturing Weddings, Portraits & Sports.

Photo by Jermaine Horton. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/1.2, ISO 160

Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master

The Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master is unique due to its Smooth Trans Focus (STF) technology, providing a distinct, soft, and creamy bokeh that’s hard to replicate. This lens excels at separating the subject from the background while delivering razor-sharp images. The 100mm focal length is ideal for flattering portraits, and its ability to maintain high sharpness at f/2.8 makes it versatile for various portrait styles.

Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master

Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles says he gravitates toward the Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master for studio stuff because it gives a very special look to the images that he just haaen’t seen in many other lenses. "This has been a not-so-secret weapon of mine for my beauty work since its release," he says. "It gives me better sharpness that is only surpassed by my Sony 90mm f/2.8 G, and offers a focal length that is flattering for close up portraits." Read more in Pro Workflow: From Lens Selection To Tethering Tips How Miguel Quiles Manages Portrait Sessions and watch Quiles talk more on the lens in the video below:

Sony 85mm f/1.8

The Sony 85mm f/1.8 is a more affordable alternative to the G Master series, but it doesn’t skimp on quality. This compact and lightweight lens delivers excellent sharpness and beautiful bokeh, making it a perfect choice for both professional and hobbyist photographers. The f/1.8 aperture ensures great low-light performance, while the fast autofocus system makes capturing perfect portraits a breeze.

Sony 85mm f/1.8

Albert "Albee" Kennedy (@akfotos.co) is a lifestyle portrait photographer and video creator who describes his overall objective as making beautiful photos that tell a story and bring joy to people. He likes to pair the lightweight Sony 85mm f/1.8 with his Sony Alpha 7 IV for portraits. He says, "The portrait lens staple to own, the 85mm. Although this 85mm f/1.8 lens is about six years old, it holds up very well today. This lens is the smallest and lightest lens I own and is with me for all my photoshoots. It's superior for capturing great subject separation for half body shots." Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Sony Alpha Cameras & 4 Fast Primes For Lifestyle Portraits & Video.

Photo by Albert Kennedy. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 85mm f/1.8. 1/3200-sec., f/1.8, ISO 200

Sony 55mm f/1.8

The Sony 55mm f/1.8 is another excellent option for portrait photography. It offers tack-sharp images across the entire frame, even when shooting wide open. The relatively moderate focal length provides a natural perspective, making it suitable for half-body and environmental portraits. This lens is also known for its quick and accurate autofocus, making it a reliable choice for spontaneous portrait sessions.

Sony 55mm f/1.8

Photographer and Sony Artisan Katrin Eismann loves to travel, taking street photography and portraits along the way. She prefers a lightweight setup for walking around, and that's why she pairs the the Sony 55mm f/1.8 lens with her compact Sony Alpha 7CR to capture details and portraits like in the image below.

Photo by Katrin Eismann. Sony Alpha 7CR. Sony 55mm f/1.8. 1/320-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master

The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master is an exceptional choice for environmental portraits. The wider focal length allows you to include more of the background, providing context and depth to your portraits. Despite its wide field of view, the f/1.4 aperture ensures stunning background blur and excellent low-light performance. This lens is lightweight and compact, making it convenient for on-location shoots.

Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master

Photographer Jonas Hafner (@aufzehengehen.de) is known for implementing creative ideas in his portraiture, most of which take place outdoors and often try to incorporate nature as an essential element. He calls the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master another flawless Sony lens and a great addition to his portrait kit. "I love how it handles light and reflections," he says, "and sometimes it’s hard to decide between the Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master and this one. If I really wanna travel light I usually combine it with the Sony 55mm f/1.8." Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Fully-Loaded Kit For Creative Portraiture.

Photo by Jonas Hefner. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/6400-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

Photo by Jonas Hefner. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master

The Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master may seem like an unusual choice for portraits, but it provides a unique perspective. This lens is excellent for capturing full-body portraits and environmental shots, offering a more immersive view. The ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture allows for eye-catching bokeh and superb performance in low-light conditions. Its sharpness and detail are unparalleled, making it a versatile addition to any portrait photographer’s kit.

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master

Portraits don't always mean people pictures, as proven by Sony Artisans Garrette Baird and Amber Baird's dog portrait photography business. They keep the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master in their kit to pair with their Sony Alpha 1. Garrette says, "This is more of a specialty lens that I use from time to time for locations and environments that need an additional bit of width. Most of the time I can just 'zoom out' with my feet, but there are instances where there just isn’t room and that when the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master comes in handy." Read more in What’s In My Bag: From Lenses To Bird Calls, Here’s The Perfect Kit For Dog Portraits.

Photo by Garrette Baird. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/2, ISO 1000

Sony’s range of prime lenses provides outstanding options for all styles of portrait photography. From the creamy bokeh of the new Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II to the immersive perspective of the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master, there’s a lens to meet every need. Investing in one of these lenses will undoubtedly elevate your portrait game and help you capture unforgettable, stunning images.