Prime lenses with focal lengths between around f/1.4 to f/2.8, such as an affordable nifty fifty (50mm) or an elegant portrait lens (85mm), are popular choices for graduation portraits. These lenses offer a flattering perspective and beautiful background blur, helping your subject stand out.

A wide aperture (low f-number) allows more light into the lens, which is helpful for shooting in various lighting conditions. It also creates a shallow depth of field, resulting in a soft, blurred background that draws attention to the graduate.

Yes, zoom lenses like a versatile standard zoom (24-70mm) or a telephoto zoom (70-200mm) are excellent for graduation ceremonies. They allow you to quickly adjust your framing and capture both close-up portraits and wider group shots without changing lenses.

For outdoor graduations, look for lenses with fast autofocus, image stabilization, and weather-sealing. These features help you capture sharp images in changing light and weather conditions, and keep up with the action as graduates move across the stage.

While a kit lens can work for graduation photos, upgrading to a lens with a wider aperture or longer focal length can significantly improve image quality and background separation. However, with good technique and lighting, a kit lens can still produce memorable graduation shots.