Shallow Depth of Field Portrait Photography

I love using the Canon 85mm f/1.2 lens wide open. But it makes me nervous photographing up close headshots like this at that aperture. I really like this photo of my daughter but the focus is off just a little on her eyes and that bothers me. So when I’m using this lens professionally, I stop down a little to f/2.8 or higher. The sad thing about that is, you’re no longer at 1.2 which is where the magic happens. This moment came and went and to try and re-shoot to get a photo where both eyes are in focus will be a different shot. By then the genuine smile and emotion of the photo you’re trying to re-do, is gone. This is why I’ve learned as a photographer to let it go. Don’t always worrying about “getting the shot”. Sometimes it’s OK to let it pass you by. Forcing it won’t make it happen again. Even though the photo isn’t perfect the memory is.