My Favourite Photograph - A2 English Writing — Explanation

Writing About Your Favourite Photograph

A favourite photograph is more than a picture. It can remind you of a person, place, celebration or funny moment. At A2 level, you can write a clear photo description by explaining when and where the picture was taken, what was happening and why the memory is important to you.

Plan Three Paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Introduce the Photo

Say who took the photo, when and where it was taken, and what the occasion was. Useful openings include My sister took this photo..., This picture was taken... and It shows....

Paragraph 2: Describe What Was Happening

Describe the people, place, weather and actions. Choose details that help the reader imagine the moment. Use position phrases such as in the foreground, in the background, next to and behind.

Paragraph 3: Explain Why It Is Special

Finish with your feelings and the memory connected to the photograph: It reminds me of..., Every time I look at it... or This photo makes me smile because....

Grammar Focus

Past Simple: Finished Actions

Use the past simple for a completed action: My cousin took the picture. We visited the island last July.

Past Continuous: Actions in Progress

Use was/were + verb-ing for actions in progress at the moment of the photo: We were dancing while the band was playing.

Present Simple: The Photo and Your Feelings Now

Use the present simple when describing what the picture means now: The photo shows my family. It reminds me of a wonderful day. I keep it beside my bed.

Passive Voice

You can say The photo was taken during our school trip when the photographer is unknown or unimportant.

Time Expressions and Connectors

Use last summer, two years ago, at that moment, while, when, because, so and but to connect your ideas.

Useful Language

• This is my favourite photograph because...
• In the photo, you can see...
• We were ... when...
• In the background, there is/are...
• The picture makes me feel...
• It reminds me of...

Sample Text

A Rainy Day at the Fair

My friend Zoe took this photo at a small summer fair three years ago. We went there with our classmates after our final exam.

In the picture, I was standing under a yellow umbrella with my best friend. We were eating hot chips while heavy rain was falling. Behind us, some people were running towards a tent, but we were laughing. Our shoes were completely wet!

This is my favourite photo because it reminds me that an imperfect day can still be fun. I keep it on my phone, and every time I look at it, I remember our laughter.

Final Checklist

Check that you introduced the photo, described the moment, explained why it is special, used past simple and past continuous correctly, and connected your sentences with suitable time expressions and linkers.