Diána Kenyeres shoots portraits for a living – but not always the way people expect. “I’m a Hungarian-born, London-based self-taught photographer who started just before lockdown,” she explains. “Since then, I’ve built a style around pushing boundaries, experimenting with unconventional gear choices, and crafting scroll-stopping imagery. Here’s a peek into what I carry with me.” Keep reading as she shares what’s in her bag for non-traditional portrait photography.
Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Alpha 7R V
–70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
–16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II
–85mm f/1.4 G Master II
–TOUGH Memory Cards
Camera
Alpha 7R V: If you’re familiar with my work, this choice will make perfect sense. I’m obsessed with detail, and with its 61-megapixel full-frame sensor, the Alpha 7R V delivers exactly that. It’s a dream for a portrait photographer who’s constantly zooming in at 400% during retouching sessions (guilty as charged 🙋♀️).
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/200-sec., f/3.5, ISO 200
Lenses
At the moment, I have three lenses in regular rotation – though I’ll also include a few favorites from my older lineup, because I’m still quite fond of the images I made with them.
70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: People are often surprised that I use a zoom lens for portraits. But I’ve always been the kind of person who does the opposite of what I’m told – especially when someone says, “That’s not a portrait lens.”
I first tried this lens on a trip to Scotland and fell in love immediately. The compression is just chef’s kiss, giving portraits an incredible depth and cinematic feel. It’s also surprisingly versatile – I use it for everything from urban shoots to landscape frames. Autofocus is fast and precise, and it handles beautifully even in dynamic environments.
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/320-sec., f/3.2, ISO 50
16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II: Another “not a portrait lens”...or is it? This one might be my most-used lens overall. I love wide-angle portraits, and I use distortion creatively to draw attention, break norms, and make people stop scrolling.
There’s something so satisfying about using a lens unconventionally and watching others get inspired – or at least intrigued enough to ask questions. Autofocus is razor-sharp, even in low light, and that constant f/2.8 aperture gives me flexibility in cinematic settings. It’s an essential part of my toolkit.
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/160-sec., f/4, ISO 80
85mm f/1.4 G Master II: This is the only “classic” portrait lens I currently own, and I have to admit – it’s a beauty. It’s a recent addition, and so far I’ve mostly used it on family (sorry, family!). But even in my early tests, I was blown away. Shooting at f/1.4 and still getting that much detail and accurate focus? Unreal. The depth of field is dreamy, the bokeh is buttery, and it’s clear this lens will become a favorite very quickly.
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/160-sec., f/4, ISO 400
Previous Lenses: Before the 85mm f/1.4 G Master II and 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II came into my life, I often used the 50mm f/1.2 G Master, 24-50mm f/2.8 G and 16-25mm f/2.8 G. Some of my most memorable images came from these, and they all played a part in shaping my style.
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 16-25mm f/2.8 G. 1/200-sec., f/3.5, ISO 320
Accessories
Extra Memory Cards (Sony TOUGH Series): Fast, reliable, and essential for continuous shooting without buffering.
Nomatic (EU version is Gomatic) Bag: I can’t rave enough about this backpack. It’s incredibly comfortable – even when fully loaded, the weight distribution is so well thought out that I can carry everything I need without getting exhausted. As someone who often shoots on the move, that’s a lifesaver.
Camera Strap: For obvious reasons. Shoulders, meet comfort.
Prisms: I discovered them a while back and now I can’t shoot without them. They let me create unique in-camera effects, saving time in post-production.
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/6-sec., f/8, ISO 80
Lens Wipe: Always useful, always needed.
Foldable Reflector: Because light is everything, and I like to stay in control of it—even when I’m out in the wild.
Small Tube Light: Handy for a quick cinematic touch or fill light, even during the day.
Filters: I carry a Variable ND and a CPL filter, along with step-up rings to make sure they fit whichever lens I choose.
Photo by Diána Kenyeres. Alpha 7R V. 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/250-sec., f/3.5, ISO 200
Sunscreen: Because I burn easily and have learned the hard way that glowing skin in photos is great – unless it’s from sunburn. 😅
I’ve built my kit around flexibility, creativity, and a bit of rebellion. Whether it’s using a wide-angle for headshots or shooting portraits with a 200mm zoom, I like gear that keeps up with my curiosity and helps me challenge convention – because who says you can’t shoot portraits with “non-portrait” lenses?
See more of Diána Kenyeres’ work on Instagram @dianakenyeres.
