Photographer Julia Trotti holding a mirrorless camera in a field of purple wildflowers at golden hour

Camera and Lens Reviews · Portrait Photography Tips

Real-world camera and lens reviews, portrait photography tips and travel stories by photographer Julia Trotti. Every review is shot on real portrait sessions, with photo samples from Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, Lumix, Nikon and smartphone cameras. Browse by topic in the Archives or search for a lens or camera.

Portrait of a woman in a white t-shirt in front of monstera leaves, shot on the Tamron 70-300mm and Nikon Z8
Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Review on the Nikon Z8: Portrait Photos and Video
A real-world Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD review on the Nikon Z8: portraits, autofocus, bokeh, chromatic aberration, low light limits and video. Read more...
Portrait of a woman with curly hair in a white dress crouching against blue bokeh, shot on the Nikon Zf
Nikon Zf: Budget vs Expensive Lens for Portraits (Z 50mm f/1.8 S vs Z 85mm f/1.2 S)
A golden hour portrait shoot on the Nikon Zf comparing the expensive Z 85mm f/1.2 S with the budget Z 50mm f/1.8 S, with photos from both lenses. Read more...
Close-up portrait of a woman in a lilac top in golden light, shot on the Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN
Sigma 24mm f3.5, 35mm f2 and 45mm f2.8 Review: Compact Primes for Sony
A street portrait shoot in Sydney with three compact Sigma Contemporary primes, the 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 45mm f/2.8, on the Sony A7IV. Read more...
Portrait of a woman in a red top resting her face on her hand, shot on the Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM II
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM II Review: Portrait Photography and Video
A real-world portrait shoot with the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II on the A7IV: build, sharpness, focus accuracy, bokeh, flare, video and vlogging. Read more...
Close-up portrait of a woman with long dark hair under green leaves, shot on the Sony FE 50mm f1.8
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Review: Portraits with Sony's Cheapest Prime Lens
A portrait shoot with Sony's cheapest prime lens, the FE 50mm f/1.8, on the Sony A7IV: autofocus, sharpness, bokeh, build and budget alternatives. Read more...
Close-up portrait of a woman with long brown hair, shot on the Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro Camera Review for Portrait Photography
A photographer's Pixel 8 Pro camera review: ultra wide, main, 2x and 5x cameras, pro controls, Magic Eraser, portrait mode, video, vlogging and Night Sight. Read more...
Close-up portrait of a woman with long blonde hair against a grey wall, shot on the Sony A7CR
Sony A7CR Review: Real World Portrait Photography and Video
A real-world Sony A7CR review with the GM 35mm f/1.4 and GM 85mm f/1.4: 61MP image quality, autofocus, build, buffer limits, video and vlogging. Read more...
Portrait of a woman with long dark hair in golden backlight, shot on the Sony A7C II
Sony A7C II Review for Portrait Photography and Video
A real-world review of the Sony A7C II with the GM 35mm f/1.4 and GM 135mm f/1.8: autofocus, image quality, limitations, build, video and vlogging. Read more...
Self portrait of Julia Trotti in dappled golden light with yellow wattle flowers
How to Create Golden Hour Light Indoors: 3 Self Portrait Lighting Setups
Three indoor self portrait lighting setups with continuous LED lights: a harsh golden hour look, a softbox portrait and sunset window light with a gobo. Read more...
Portrait of a woman in a white dress in golden backlight, shot on the Hasselblad X2D 100C
Hasselblad X2D 100C Portrait Photoshoot With the XCD 80mm f1.9 and 45mm f4
My first Hasselblad photoshoot with the X2D 100C portrait kit: the XCD 80mm f/1.9 and 45mm f/4 P, with focusing, colours and before and afters. Read more...
Portrait of a woman in a white dress at the beach at sunset, shot on the Fujifilm X-S20
Fujifilm X-S20 Photoshoot in the Rain With the XF 23mm f1.4
Behind the scenes of a portrait shoot with the Fujifilm X-S20 and XF 23mm f/1.4, from pouring rain in a combi van to a rainbow and sunset at the beach. Read more...
Portrait of a woman in a white top on the beach, shot on the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art
My Most Used Lens: Why I Love the 35mm Focal Length
Why 35mm is my favourite and most used focal length for portraits, weddings and travel, plus the downsides and when I'd use something else. Read more...
Portrait of a woman with curly hair in a cream shirt dress, shot on the Sony 50mm f1.4 GM
Sony 50mm f1.4 GM Review: Real Portrait Photoshoot (vs 50mm f1.2 GM and Zeiss)
A real-world portrait photoshoot with the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM on the A7IV: autofocus, bokeh, sharpness, flare and video, compared with the 50mm f/1.2 GM and Zeiss 50mm f/1.4. Read more...
Portrait of a woman in an orange dress with her hand to her lips, shot on the LUMIX 100mm f2.8 Macro
LUMIX 100mm f2.8 Macro Review: Portrait Photography on the S5II
A hands-on review of the tiny LUMIX S 100mm f/2.8 Macro on the S5II: sharpness, autofocus, bokeh, flare and video, with before and after photos. Read more...
Medium format portrait of a woman in a blue slip dress in front of a waterfall, shot on the Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm
Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm Review: Wide-Angle Portraits on the X2D 100C
Wide-angle environmental portraits by waterfalls and rock pools in Dorrigo, shot on the Hasselblad X2D 100C with the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E. Read more...