4/26/26

Which Lens For Which Look?

Recently, I took the plunge and finally purchased a new lens for my camera—something I had been wanting to do for quite a while. While my current lenses have served me well, I was ready to expand my creative options and bring more depth to my images.

I chose a 70–200mm zoom lens and had the chance to put it to work at a local dog show. Right away, I fell in love with what it can do. As you can see in the photo of my friend’s lovely poodle, it creates a beautiful shallow depth of field, with that soft, blurred background that really makes the subject stand out.

This lens is going to be a fantastic addition to my pet portrait work. It has a wider maximum aperture than my other zoom lens, which means it can let in more light and give me even more flexibility in different lighting conditions.

It is definitely larger and heavier than what I’m used to, so there’s a bit of an adjustment period ahead—but so far, I absolutely love it. I’m excited to start incorporating it into my sessions and continue building it into my regular lineup of gear.

This image was taken with my trusty 55–210mm lens—a true workhorse and the one I’ve relied on for most of my work to date. It produces a pleasing depth of field, though with a smaller maximum aperture, it doesn’t let in as much light as my newer 70–200mm.

Where this lens really shines is in its portability and ease of use. It’s lightweight, comfortable to handle, and perfect for sessions where I want to include more of the surrounding environment.

For images like this—featuring a landscape background or shot in well-lit conditions—it continues to be an excellent choice. It’s a lens I’ll keep reaching for when I want versatility, simplicity, and a beautiful balance between subject and setting.

When I want to create something a little more bold and dramatic, my 12mm lens is the one I reach for. With its ultra-wide perspective, it allows for fun, dynamic compositions and vibrant, eye-catching images—like this one of our Bean. The sunstar was just a bonus touch of magic.

It also has an incredibly wide maximum aperture, making it ideal for low-light situations like Milky Way photography. This lens pushes creativity in a completely different direction, and I love experimenting with it to create something truly unique.

Every lens I use helps shape the final image in a different way—whether it’s soft and dreamy, natural and balanced, or bold and dramatic. The beauty of a custom session is that we can choose the style that best fits your dog’s personality and the story you want to tell.

If you’ve been thinking about capturing your dog in a way that’s a little more meaningful and artistic, I’d love to work with you. Let’s plan a session that’s tailored just for you and your dog—and create something you’ll treasure for years to come.

👉 Reach out to book your session or learn more about upcoming availability.