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.

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...
Prague Old Town Square at sunrise, shot on a 35mm lens
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...
Close-up portrait of a woman in an orange dress resting her head on her hand, 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...
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 lens on a Sony A7IV
Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 Review: Portraits on the Sony A7IV (vs Sony 70-200 GM II)
Testing the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 at a portrait shoot on the Sony A7IV, with autofocus, sharpness, colour and bokeh compared to the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II. Read more...
Snowy jagged mountains rising from the sea in Antarctica
Antarctica Landscape Photography: Icebergs, Mountains and Sunsets
How I photographed Antarctica's landscapes: icebergs, glaciers, mountains, golden hour and stormy skies, with tips on showing scale and using a telephoto lens. Read more...
Two Adélie penguins on the snow in Antarctica
Antarctica Photography Tips and the Camera Gear I Took
My Antarctica photography tips: the camera gear and lenses I took, which bag to bring, why I used fast shutter speeds, and how to keep shooting in rain, snow and... Read more...
Two orcas surfacing in the Southern Ocean in Antarctica
Wildlife Photography in Antarctica: Penguins, Seals, Whales and Orcas
A portrait photographer's take on wildlife photography in Antarctica: penguins framed by icebergs, porpoising shots, seals, whales, orcas and birds, with tips for each. Read more...