A2 WritingA2 Pre-intermediate

My favourite photograph – A2 English writing

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Writing about your favourite photograph

In this lesson, you will learn how to write about your favourite photograph. You will describe the photo, say what was happening when it was taken, and explain why it is special to you.

When you describe a photograph, you can answer these questions:

  • Who took it? When and where was it taken?
  • What was happening? What were people doing in the photo?
  • Why do you like it? How does it make you feel?

Plan your paragraphs

You can organise your writing into three short paragraphs:

1️⃣ Introduce the photo

Say who took the photo, when, and where. Use the past simple to talk about the time and place.

This is my favourite photo. It was taken at my birthday party last year by my best friend.

2️⃣ What was happening

Describe what was happening when the photo was taken. Use the past continuous to show actions in progress.

We were celebrating in my garden. I was blowing out the candles, and my friends were laughing and clapping. Everyone was having fun.

3️⃣ Why it is special

Explain why the photo is important to you. Say where you keep it and how it makes you feel. Use the present simple to talk about your feelings.

This photo is very special to me because it reminds me of a happy day. I keep it on my desk, and when I look at it, I feel lucky to have such great friends.

Grammar focus

Past simple: Finished actions

Use the past simple to talk about when and where the photo was taken, and to describe the place, the people or the event.

  • It was taken at my birthday party last year.
  • My best friend took this photo.
  • We celebrated my birthday at home.
  • All my friends came to the party.

Past continuous: Actions in progress

Use the past continuous to describe what people were doing in the photo.

  • We were having a party.
  • My friends were singing and holding balloons.
  • I was blowing out the candles.

Present simple: Current feelings

Use the present simple to say how you feel about the photo now.

  • I love this picture because it makes me smile.
  • It reminds me of a happy day.

Time expressions and connectors

Use time expressions to indicate when something happened.

last year, when I was…, in 2024, at that moment

Use connectors to link ideas in your description.

and, but, because, so, while, when

  • It was taken last summer when we were on holiday.
  • We were playing music and laughing because we were so happy.
  • I was blowing out the candles while my friends were singing.

Useful language and vocabulary

Talking about the photo:

  • This is my favourite photo.
  • It was taken by…
  • It shows…
  • It was taken at…

Describing actions:

  • We were celebrating…
  • My friends were smiling and laughing.
  • I was eating/blowing out the candles/standing next to my friends.

Feelings and opinions:

  • I love this photo because…
  • It reminds me of…
  • It makes me feel happy/relaxed/lucky.

Sample text

Friends celebrating a birthday while a woman blows out candles on a cake for A2 writing example 'My favourite photograph'

This is my favourite photo. It was taken last year by my best friend during my birthday party in November. We were in the garden at my house on a winter evening, but it was warm.

I was sitting at the table with my friends. I was blowing out the candles on my cake, and everyone was laughing. My friend was taking pictures while the music was playing in the background.

This photo is special to me because it reminds me of a great day. I keep it on my desk, and every time I look at it, I remember how happy we all were. It makes me smile because my friends made that day unforgettable.

➟ Past simple

➟ Past continuous

➟ Present simple

➟ Connectors

➟ Time expressions

Ready to practice?

Put your knowledge to the test with interactive exercises (3 exercises available).