Updated October 13, 2026
A prime lens has one focal length, so you cannot zoom with it. A zoom lens lets you smoothly change between focal lengths. A macro lens is built for taking photos very close to your subject. I’m Katie Donnelly, a Paris photographer, and I personally own only prime lenses. Here is a brief rundown of the lenses you will most likely come across, so you can choose what fits you.
What You’ll Find in This Blog:
Today we’re going to talk about lenses! With so many options it can be hard to know which way is up, so here’s a brief rundown of the ones you’ll most likely come across and use:
What Is a Prime Lens?
A prime lens is a lens with one focal length, so you can’t zoom with it.
Although I’ve shot a lot with zoom lenses in the past, I personally only own prime lenses and prefer them because of the great quality they provide and their maximum aperture (some can open all the way to f/1.2!). These lenses give you beautiful depth of field, (depending on the quality of lens you buy). The other advantages are that they are usually less expensive and lighter than the comparable zoom lenses. (While I say this, there exist, of course, lighter zoom lenses than prime but I’ve found this usually isn’t the case with the lenses I use.)
What Is a Zoom Lens?
A zoom lens is a lens where you can smoothly change between focal lengths to zoom in and out.
Zoom lenses are incredibly versatile, especially when you’re learning to photograph. You can easily switch between getting very close to your subject to getting a wide shot of the whole scene without switching lenses. Personally, I’ve used both zoom and prime lenses A LOT in my career, and I prefer prime lenses for the sharpness, price and weight but those are my opinions. So many professional photographers love zoom lenses and swear by them! The trick is to look at your priorities when purchasing your lenses and choose that way. If you want one lens for everything, zoom lenses are probably your way to go! If you don’t mind having a few lenses to use for different occasions, then go with primes.
What Is a Macro Lens?
A macro lens is a lens specially built for taking photos very close to the subject. We all know them from the pictures of flowers with very blurry background that everyone who owns a macro lens took.
You can do so much more with a macro lens, go outside or inside and experiment, macro photography gives us a possibility to look at things closer, differently and play with textures and compositions.
Are There Lenses for iPhone?
Yes, lenses for your iPhone are a thing! For the ones among us who only photograph with their phones these lenses allow you to take your photography to a whole other level. You can buy fisheye lenses (to get a wide view), macro lenses (to get very close up views) and so much more to make your photographs better.
If you are an adventurer or just a photographer and don’t want all of that heavy equipment with you, then iPhone photography is just the thing for you. You can improve it with many different lenses that are special designed for your phone.
Prime vs Zoom: Which Should You Choose?
- Choose a zoom lens if you want one lens for everything, especially while you are learning.
- Choose prime lenses if you do not mind carrying a few lenses for different occasions and you want sharpness, a wide maximum aperture, and less weight.
- Add a macro lens if you love details and textures.
This lesson is part of The Authentic Portrait: A Parent’s Guide to Documenting Childhood, my photography guide for parents who want to learn the basics and take better photos of their kids, without spending hours and hours taking classes. I am working on a new edition of the guide. Until it is ready, you can read every lesson in The Authentic Portrait series.
Next lessons: what is aperture, what are megapixels, and the basics of composition and framing.
Always the one behind the camera?
Hand it over for a morning. Our English-speaking team photographs families in Paris, so you are in the photos too. Sessions start at €150, and you see your photos the same day in our Saint-Germain studio.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
Camera Lens Questions
A prime lens is a lens with one focal length, so you cannot zoom with it. Prime lenses usually offer great quality and a wide maximum aperture, some as wide as f/1.2.
A zoom lens lets you smoothly change between focal lengths to zoom in and out, so you can go from a close-up to a wide shot without switching lenses.
It depends on your priorities. Katie prefers prime lenses for their sharpness, price and weight. If you want one lens for everything, a zoom lens is probably the way to go.
A macro lens is built for taking photos very close to the subject, such as flowers, details and textures.
About the author
Katie Donnelly, Paris Photographer
Katie Donnelly is an American photographer who opened her Paris studio in 2013 and was voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris in 2017. She and her English-speaking team photograph families, couples and solo travelers at sunrise, so visitors go home with relaxed, real portraits instead of rushed selfies. Meet Katie and the team.
Ready to Book Your Paris Photoshoot?
You take the everyday photos. Let us take the ones with you in them.
- When: Mornings, just after sunrise, when the city is quiet
- Who: Families, couples, engagements and proposals, and solo travelers, with an English-speaking team
- Your photos: Viewed the same day at our studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Session fee: From €150. Inquire for our full price list.
Tell us your dates and we will help you plan the rest.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
