> People keep telling me I need a prime lens but honestly I have no idea what that even means or which one to get. My budget is like 600 bucks maybe? Congrats on the R6 Mark II, that camera is a beast! Basically, a prime lens is just one that doesnt zoom. Because they dont have all those extra moving parts, they can let in way more light and give you that super blurry background look you see on Instagram, which we call bokeh. For portraits, forget 35mm. It makes faces look a bit weird if you get too close. You definitely want an 85mm. It is basically the portrait king. I personally love the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. It fits your budget perfectly and gives you that gorgeous separation between your sister and the background. It is sharp, lightweight, and the image stabilization is a lifesaver if your hands arent perfectly steady. If you want to save a bit more cash, you could look at the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It is super cheap and compact. It is not as flattering for close-up headshots as the 85mm, but it is great for full-body shots where you want to see more of the scenery. If you can only get one, go for the 85mm. It makes anyone look like a pro model. You'll nail that grad shoot, dont stress about the numbers too much!

Forget the technical jargon for a second, you made an amazing choice with that R6 Mark II! Honestly, that blurry background effect you see on Instagram is called bokeh, and to get it, you need a lens with a wide aperture. Since you have 600 bucks, you are in a perfect spot to pick up something that will completely change how your portraits look. I really suggest you look at the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM. It is such a stellar lens for portraits because that 85mm focal length is super flattering on faces. It creates this compression that makes your subject pop from the background beautifully. The F2 aperture is the secret sauce here, letting in way more light than your kit lens and giving you that professional, dreamy blur. If you want to save a few bucks or want something even smaller, check out the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. It is basically a must-have for everyone shooting Canon RF mount. It is super cheap, sharp, and lets you get creative with low light. Just stand a bit closer to your sister to fill the frame, or stay back if you want a wider shot. Either way, you are going to be blown away by the upgrade from that kit lens. Go have a blast at the grad shoot, she is gonna love the results!

Just catching up on this thread. Honestly, I bought the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM hoping for magic, but the autofocus was super hit or miss for me. It kept hunting in lower light, which was frustrating when trying to snap portraits. The bokeh is decent, but unfortunately it is not as sharp as I expected wide open. If you really want that professional look, try keeping your subject further away from the background, like ten feet or more. It makes a bigger difference than the lens choice sometimes. If you want something sharper and honestly more reliable for portraits, look into the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. It is way cheaper so you will save money, and honestly, it is so small you can just throw it in your bag. Dont overthink the numbers too much right now, just get out there and shoot.

^ This. Also, honestly grab the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM. It makes that background blur so much easier to get than the kit lens ever could, trust me.

Honestly, if you want that creamy background blur without breaking the bank, the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM is your best friend. It is super cheap and surprisingly sharp for the price. I have used it for years and I am still satisfied with the results on my R6 II. Since you are new to this, just remember: the smaller the number after 'f', the blurrier your background will be. That 50mm lens is awesome for beginners because it feels natural, almost like how your eyes see the world. If you find yourself wanting to get really tight shots of her face later, you could always add a Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM down the road, but for now, keep it simple. Grab the 50mm, put your camera on aperture priority mode, set it to f/1.8, and you will see that background melt away instantly. It is honestly the best way to learn the ropes without getting overwhelmed.