My Favorite Camera Lenses for Wedding Photography


In photography, "Bokeh" means to soften the background behind the subject and is derived from a Japanese word which means to blur. When the environment is blurred, it creates a dreamy effect seen in many professional wedding photos. The photographer would use a prime or telephoto lens with a fixed aperture to make the bokeh effect. But, you may ask, what do you mean by fixed aperture and what is a prime lens? A fixed aperture is where the "pupil" of the lens opens wide and remains that way, even when you zoom in on the subjects.


In contrast, in a prime lens, the focal length is fixed, which forces the photographer to move their legs when taking pictures. Moreover, the wider the lens pupil dilates, the dreamier the photos become; hence, lenses labelled with a small f-number ranging from 1.4 to 2.8 are so expensive as the smaller the number correlates to a wider lens aperture. Whenever I shoot a wedding, I like to incorporate the "Bokeh" effect into my photos, hence my company's name. I have listed my top 7 camera lenses that I used for weddings. 

1) AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G


This is my go-to lens whenever I shoot in dim indoor spaces, as the wide aperture allows more light exposure while accentuating the lighting created by the bounce flash.

2) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G


I love using this lens when doing the bridal or engagement photo shoot as it produces appealing, professional-looking images. The relatively long focal length helps make the subject look more flattering, while the wide aperture creates a three-dimensional effect.

3) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED


Perfect lens when shooting small, dimly lit environments where I find it challenging to move around. It is also the ideal lens for shooting large group photos, as it produces sharp images at the outer edge, so all the people's faces look clear no matter where they stand.

4) AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D


An excellent compact telephoto lens that is lighter than its bigger cousin and provides good zoom for most large venues. Many photographers also consider this the Best portrait lens ever made, as the sharpness and bokeh it creates are exceptional.  


5) Nikon's 70-200 f/2.8 lens 


This is the most crucial lens when shooting a wedding ceremony conducted in a Catholic Church, as I am often not allowed to go anywhere close to the bride and groom and need to zoom in to get the photos. 

6) AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED


Whenever I shoot with an outdoor strobe light in a wedding photo shoot, I use this lens to create a dramatic effect. The result is impressive, as the bride and groom are perfectly exposed to the dark background.

7) AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED


It is a good lens for photographing wedding ceremonies in small spaces. However, nowadays, I tend to shoot at a wider aperture and use my prime lens only, which also means more exercise. However, I sometimes use this lens if the ceremony is relatively short and fast-paced. It is also a perfect lens for taking bridal photos with beautiful landscapes.