What aperture is best for portraits?

f/1.8 to f/2.8 is the sweet spot for most portraits. Wide open (f/1.4-1.8) gives maximum background blur but can make focusing critical—a slight miss means soft eyes. f/2.8 provides a safety margin while still separating the subject from the background beautifully.

Can I take good portraits with a kit lens?

Yes, especially if you zoom to the longer end (45-55mm) and use a wide aperture (f/5.6 on most kit lenses). The background won't blur as much as a dedicated portrait lens, but good light, composition, and subject interaction matter more than equipment.

Best Camera Lenses for Portraits 2026