Quinn Zhang

Good picks above; match them to your sensor and body. On a crop DSLR, 35mm f/1.8 is easier indoors while 50mm f/1.8 behaves like a short tele for tighter portraits; if you’re Nikon avoid the old 50mm f/1.8 D on D3xxx/D5xxx and get AF-S/AF-P, and on Canon choose the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM over the older II. For the blur you want, put your subject well away from the background, use single-point AF on the nearer eye, and if f/1.8 looks a bit soft, stop down to f/2–2.2 and keep shutter around 1/200–1/250.

Hey, as a mom who's been lugging strollers up three flights of stairs for two years now, I totally get the struggle with a small apartment and no elevator. You want something that folds up quick with one hand, right, while you're juggling the baby and maybe a bag or two. Aim for ones that weigh around 12 pounds or less and and practice that fold in the store until it feels second nature. Durability wise, check for sturdy frames that don't wobble when you push down on them, and wheels that handle cracks in the sidewalk without rattling your teeth out. For travel, especially buses and planes, a compact fold is a lifesaver, something that stands on its own so you can park it without it flopping over. I've found that locking front wheels help on uneven ground, and a good brake that engages easily keeps it from rolling away on a bumpy ride. To make it last, wipe down the fabric regularly and keep the mechanisms clean from dirt buildup. Oh, and a higher weight limit ensures it grows with your kid through those toddler tantrums. Works great.