Nikon makes a wide variety of lenses that meet multiple needs in photography. Choosing a lens is all about choosing what kind of photography you are doing. Almost any lens can be used for portrait photography, but some are certainly preferred over others.
Fast Lenses
The first consideration is getting a fast lens. For most photographers, a prime lens, such as the 50 mm f1.4, is a great starting point. The speed of the lens allows the photographer to set the aperture at 1.4 and blur out the background and more easily highlight the subject. A 50 mm makes it easier to shoot from closer distances. Other popular prime lenses for portrait work include the 85 mm f1.2 and the 85 mm f1.8.
Zoom Lenses
Some zoom lenses have worked well for portrait photography. Even the 70-200 f2.8 VR (vibration reduction) lens can be used to shoot stunning portraits due to the quality of the glass and the low aperture setting. In formal studio portraits, the photographer can only use such a lens if the room is big enough to allow the photographer to move farther away. However, sometimes moving farther away from the subject can help get a more natural shot because the subject doesn't feel the photographer pressuring her. This can especially be true with children.
Macro Lenses
Macro lenses are popular for portrait work because they shoot life-sized images and give a 1:1 aspect ratio for the subject when the image is printed. Both the 60 mm and 105 mm macro lenses are good choices for close-up portrait work and have low f2.8 apertures for blurring out the background. The lenses also have infinity focus for shooting from further away.
Tags: portrait work, farther away, lens used, portrait photography