For the sake of order I’ve decided to do this series slowly moving in. Last week I talked about the 16-35L, my wide angle. Something I don’t think I said really well last week is that it took me a while to narrow down to these focal lengths. I bought, rented, and borrowed other lenses that either I didn’t like as much, I didn’t feel as comfortable with, or just didn’t quite fit my style. I can’t tell you how helpful that process is. If you think you might like something, rent it. If you’re trying to chose between two lenses, rent them both and see which one you gravitate towards, or use more during the wedding (or session). I’ve heard people use the excuse that renting is expensive, but if you have several hundred – thousands of dollars to BUY a lens, I’m sure you can spare $50 from somewhere to try it out first. It is not a good feeling to buy something this expensive and then dislike it and never use it! :-)

When I bought my first DSLR someone recommended the 50mm 1.8 lens to me and I thought they were crazy! Why on earthy would I buy a lens that doesn’t zoom….isn’t that the whole point?! Then I used a friends 50mm and knew in that exact moment that I was a prime lens shooter. I know people who shoot an entire wedding with the 24-70. And let me tell you, they can do it well…but it just isn’t my style. I zoom with my feet :-)

This week I want to talk about the 35mm 1.4L :-) I don’t think I can be any clearer than to say that this is my go-to lens. I love this baby. She focuses fast, is a comfortable focal length, and gets downright gorgeous all the way down to f1.4. I use this lens for getting ready pictures, for detail pictures, for portraits, for engagement sessions, for food, for receptions, and for dancing. During the course of a wedding day, this is probably my most used lens. I bring her on every engagement session, and every Beloved session. Before I had this lens I mostly used the 50mm 1.4, after purchasing this lens I sold the other because I never used it. I rented the 50mm 1.2 and for right now I don’t think it fits my style…so next week we’re zooming all the way in to 85mm. Yep, you read that right. I do not own or shoot with the 50mm focal length anymore. I spend 75% of my time between the 35 and the 85. Now let’s get into the fun part!

 And then let’s skip to the cocktail hour! I use longer focal lengths during the ceremony so I’m not in the way :-)

Happy Thursday! Next week I’ll be back with the 85mm 1.2 :-)