A new piece of equipment changed my family photography game a little over year ago and it’s time for a dedicated post on why I love it so much! I’m talking about the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0, aka the 3+ pound behemoth on the front of my camera. If you saw my post on the lenses I believe every family photographer should have, then you already know that I love it. However, I want to share some more because it’s just that good.

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Albuquerque to capture helicopter family photos for some dear friends. While we were there, I connected with another Huey family, the Cornells, and took flight line photos for them as well. I only used one lens for the entirety of their session: the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0.

A Session with the Cornell Family

Natalie actually reached out about me taking Cooper’s newborn photos last year, but it was just after we moved to DC. I was bummed to turn down that opportunity, so you can imagine my excitement when our schedules aligned during my trip to ABQ! As a fellow helicopter family, I was thrilled to document Kevin, Natalie and Cooper’s time at Kirtland AFB. We ventured from the squadron to the flight line where we were greeted by the ever-present New Mexico sun. It was bright and the position of the helicopter was going to be a challenge, but I knew my trusty 28-70mm was the lens for the job!

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0: A Hero Among Lenses

I frequently shoot entire sessions without taking this lens off my camera. However, it was particularly helpful during this session for a few reasons.

1. Lens Hood for Haze Control: When the sun hits the camera sensor directly, you end up with haze or lens flare in your image, which I don’t love. So, when the sun is low in the sky, it is helpful to use a tree branch, leaves, or something similar to block the sun from shining directly in the camera. However, I was shooting on the flight line and didn’t have anything to block the sun other than the helicopter itself. So, the fact that I had a lens hood was tremendously helpful. It didn’t prevent lens flare entirely, but it gave me more flexibility than I would have had otherwise. This allowed me to capture the Cornells against the brilliant New Mexico sun without compromising image quality. Take a look at a couple behind-the-scenes iPhone pictures below to see what I mean.
   
   

2. Fixed f/2.0 Aperture: The RF 28-70mm f/2.0 boasts a constant f/2.0 aperture for the entire zoom range. This allows me to get that creamy bokeh that I love so much, especially at 70mm. While this is especially helpful in low-light situations which wasn’t the case here, I still appreciated being able to get that bokeh without needing to switch to my Canon 85mm f/1.2. Speaking of which…
   
   
3. Zoom Flexibility: One of the most remarkable aspects of this lens is the ability to cover a wide range of focal lengths without the need to switch lenses. This flexibility is a game-changer for family photography, especially when kiddos like curious little Cooper are busy exploring. From wide-angle group shots to intimate close-ups, the RF 28-70mm f/2.0 allows me to pivot quickly and capture in-between moments more easily.
   
   

Conclusion: The Magic of the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0

While it comes with a hefty price tag, the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0 makes family photography simpler. And, mostly importantly, it doesn’t simplify things by sacrificing quality. Instead, its top notch glass elevates family portraits so long as the photographer uses proper settings. (Need help with settings? I have you covered!) I cannot recommend this lens highly enough!

Do you have questions? I’m happy to chat either about my favorite lens or how I can document your family too. Just reach out to get things rolling!

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• Family Photography Lenses | What Do I Need?
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• Flight Line Family Photos | The Seiler Family