Why the Canon 24-70mm is a Portrait Powerhouse
If you've been on the fence about whether the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 deserves a spot in your camera bag for portrait work, let me tell you — it absolutely does.
I recently captured a couple’s session during sunset at Tibidabo in Barcelona, shooting on the Canon 5D Mark IV paired with the 24-70mm, and the results completely reaffirmed why this lens continues to be a favorite among portrait and lifestyle photographers.
📷 Versatility That Elevates Storytelling
The most obvious advantage of the 24-70mm is its flexibility. In one session, I could go from intimate, tightly framed shots at 70mm to wide-angle environmental portraits at 24mm — without ever switching lenses. This allowed me to:
Frame the couple beautifully against Tibidabo’s golden skyline
Capture spontaneous moments without missing a beat
Stay light and mobile on uneven terrain during golden hour
The ability to zoom quickly without compromising sharpness or depth of field meant I could shoot creatively and efficiently.
✨ Depth, Detail, and the Signature Canon Look
With an aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, this lens handles low-light situations gracefully. As the sun dipped behind the Barcelona skyline, I was still able to capture:
Clean, crisp skin tones
Rich, warm highlights from the sunset
Gorgeous bokeh that added emotion and softness to intimate frames
Even wide open, the center sharpness at 70mm is excellent, making it perfect for expressive portraits with stunning detail.
🧡 Why I Trust It for Emotional Portrait Work
Portraits aren't just about sharpness — they’re about connection. The 24-70mm lets me adapt quickly to whatever the couple is giving me: laughter, silence, movement, stillness. I can back off to give them space or come in close without disrupting the moment.
Its natural compression at 70mm flatters facial features while the wider end at 24mm allows me to frame couples in a way that tells a story about where they are — not just who they are.
🛠 Gear Details from This Session
Location: Tibidabo, Barcelona
Time of Day: Golden Hour into Sunset
Settings Range: f/2.8–4 | 1/250s–1/640s | ISO 100–400
Portrait photography is about more than focal length — it's about being present and capturing the moment as it unfolds. The Canon 24-70mm is the perfect partner for that. It gives me creative freedom, technical reliability, and a signature Canon aesthetic that my clients and I both love.
Buy it here! :) 24-70mm f 2.8 Canon
Buy it here! :) Canon 5d Mark IV
