35mm vs 85mm for Flattering Portrait Photography: How Lens Choice Affects Your Face
A real portrait comparison photographed in Oahu, Hawaii showing how lens choice affects facial features and flattering results.
Side by side portrait comparison of a 35mm lens and 85mm lens, showing how focal length affects facial proportions, background compression, and overall flattering results in portrait photography.
As an Oahu portrait photographer, I always have to be strategic when flattering my subject, and making sure I also include the gorgeous Hawaiian locations. The portrait on the left was taken with a 35mm lens, and the portrait on the right was taken with an 85mm lens. The differences here are subtle, but I think they are important. As you can see, on the right side, the subject’s features are more compressed. The lens is bringing the background closer to her and shortening the distance between her nose and her ear. You will notice that the bridge of her nose appears slimmer and her features look a little more even. Although her face is not technically as elongated as in the photo on the left, which was taken with the 35mm lens, I would say that the portrait taken with the 85mm is more flattering overall.
Another interesting thing I have noticed when shooting with an 85mm lens is that, compared to the other photo, there is more contrast between her jawline and her neck. Since the layers are being compressed, that adds a little more definition between them, which I think people generally find more flattering. It also evens out the size of her chin and her forehead.
Some people may still prefer a closer shot taken with a 35mm lens if they feel they have a rounder face that they want to appear more elongated, even though it can slightly distort those proportions. The more symmetrical a human face is, the more we tend to find that symmetry aesthetically pleasing and attractive.
As a portrait photographer, I like to start my sessions by showing my client a photo of themselves taken with a 35mm lens and one taken with an 85mm lens to see if they have a strong preference either way. I tend to lean toward getting as many shots as I can with the 85mm for that flattering compression. I also make sure to use my 35mm lens, especially here in Hawaii where we have beautiful landscapes and I want to showcase that location with my client.
Let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions. Also, feel free the next time you have a portrait session to ask your photographer if you can see what your features look like with different lenses! If you are visiting Oahu anytime, we can set up a shoot and let you discover portraits of yourself in a new way, with several lens choices.
To watch a video I made on this topic and more educational photography content, check out my Instagram.
