my favorite photograph essay

My Favorite Photo Essay Example

I was never a big fan a photos when i was younger and that hasn't really changed. I was one of those people who were socially anxious and honestly, kind of awkward. When someone pulled the camera out I would hide or just casually walk away, and when they forced me I'd be sporting an awkward smile. Whenever people would look old through photos I wouldn't be around just in case one of me would come around. They'd love them, yet I would hate them.

As I started looking for photos, I realized that it was going to be a harder task than I once thought. Looking back on photos of myself isn't my favorite thing to do. That wasn't the only issue I ran into though. There was a plethora of photos to choose from, it seemed like my mother always had her camera out. It's kind of crazy to think that I have my birth, today and everything in between locked and frozen in a picture.

I may not like looking at myself but I find it really interesting to see others in old photos. In a lot of my old photos, my parents, they look so young. I often wonder what they were thinking or what was going on while the picture was being taken. It's always cool to see pictures of my grandmas and aunts from when they were kids. Back when these photos were taken, everything was so different. It's like your looking at a stranger, but they look oddly familiar.

There are many photos of me as a child, and in almost all of them I am wearing nothing more than basketball shorts and a tank top. I loved being outside when I was little, so basketball shorts were the perfect outfit, especially on a hot Ohio summer day. My brother and I wore very similar clothing most of the time; My family thought it would be nice if we matched. This lead to many conflicts when they would buy us the same shorts, we would always fight about whos is whos. In my photo, I stood there grinning while wearing my usual attire. I quite obviously fit into the category of a stereotypical young boy then.

I was a relatively skinny kid when I was growing up. A little pudge here and there but it was nothing noticeable. It wasn't until I got older when I, to be frank, became lazier that the weight started to add up. I hit 5th grade and that when people started to notice it as an issue. My mother would tell me to portion more and stop overeating. I didn't listen to it's been an uphill battle ever since. The playing field wasn't leveled until my freshman year when I started putting the effort in.

There is one photo that I remember so vividly. It was from my 3rd birthday and I was at the park with my family. I believe it was one of my aunts who took the photo. We were all sitting around my cake under one of the park's shelters, I was sitting in the middle.

I still remember I was in my favorite Thomas the tank engine shirt and blue jeans. I had the biggest grin on my face because I got the Scooby-Doo themed birthday that I had been dreaming of. My cousin, Madison, was positioned right next to me as she anxiously awaited to dig into the cake with me.

I can relive that memory like it just happened yesterday. I can see the happiness on my family members faces. I can feel the excitement inside of me. I wanted the time for cake and food to be over because I couldn’t wait to open my presents. I remember my mother pushing me in the swing right next to the shelter. I also remember the approaching rain clouds that ended up washing it all away, leaving only memories.

Back when the photo was taken and on to my early teens, my dad was my one of my favorite people. We used to work on things together and he'd be the first person I talked to when I had an idea. To me, he was awesome, even a role model and I took on many of his characteristics. In the photo, he was wearing his usual flannel and jeans, which to me was awesome. But as I grew into my later years, I realized many things I was blind to when I was younger. My father wasn't the man that I once thought he was, but instead just a shadow. I still have to fix the things he helped break.

I've come to realize that my mother is one of the only reasons that the party, I so fondly remember, happened. When I was younger my mom wasn't the most exciting person. She was a stay at home mom when I was little and always got me what I needed. She would make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch every day and we would eat together then tend to the garden. I wouldn't realize until years later that she wanted a job, wanted to eat more than that lousy sandwich and that she would help change our families lives in the greatest way possible.

My childhood was bliss when I was living it, but when I now look back upon it I realized that I was blind to what was really happening. So many things make more sense now, and I'm frankly happy that I didn't see them growing up. People in my family tried hard to make my life as fun as it could be I really appreciate them more for their efforts if I could, I don't think I would change a thing. The tribulations we went through then, make today seem that much better. My childhood may have been unfortunate but my today is pretty great.

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Published on February 23, 2022 by English Proficiency Editorial Team

IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe Your Favorite Photograph

The IELTS Cue Card section also referred to as the IELTS Speaking Task 2 , is one of the parts of the IELTS test that has caused a lot of stress and anxiety among those who have taken it. 

Why? It is because, for starters, you are asked to address a subject about which you may be unfamiliar.

Second, you only have a short amount of time to prepare. To make matters worse, you must speak for a longer period without being interrupted by the examiner. Fret no more! 

Sample responses to the cue card topic ‘Describe your favorite photograph.’ are provided in this post. Keep reading.  

What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?

How to answer this specific question: “describe your favorite photograph”, sample response 1:, sample response 2: , vocabulary list for answering the question: “describe your favorite photograph”.

The examiner will offer you a topic card in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test . This card is called a cue card. A brief summary of a topic will be included on the card, and some suggestions for what to include.

The theme will be related to someone you know, an event you attended, or things you like. You have a minute to plan. You will be provided with a piece of paper and a pencil by the examiner so that you can jot down some ideas.

The examiner will invite you to begin your presentation after one minute, giving your speech. 

You have up to two minutes to speak without interruption from the examiner. The examiner will listen without speaking, although they may nod or gesture to encourage you to continue speaking. 

After your 2 minutes is over, the examiner will instruct you to stop and very certainly ask you 1-2 questions about the subject. You need to give short answers to these questions.

Topic/Question

Describe Your Favorite Photograph

Guidelines to answer this question

You should say:

• Who or what in the photograph was/were
• When it was taken
• Where it was taken

and explain why you love this photograph.

• Think of a photograph that you like the most. It could be a personal photograph or simply a photograph you have seen somewhere in the past. Whatever this photograph is, ensure that you have a vivid picture of how this photo looks so you can describe it well later on. 
• The moment you have decided what photograph to discuss, stick to it. You only have a little time to prepare so you should not change your mind. 
• Write down ideas right away. State what and who is in the photograph. Describe what it looks like and when and where it was taken. Discuss how you feel whenever you look at it and explain why it is your favorite photograph. 
• Keep in mind that you should maximize the time given, so you should not write sentences. Just write keywords and phrases. 
• Employ a wide range of advanced vocabulary. Utilize complicated grammatical structures too. This will amaze the examiner and will give you a good chance of receiving a high mark on this section of the examination.
• Be as quick as possible when taking notes. Nonetheless, ensure that you will be able to understand what you have written later on. If the examiner cannot read what you wrote, that is alright. Your grade is determined by the content and delivery of your speech, not the quality of your penmanship.
• You may take a quick look at your notes now and then. It is permissible. You will not be prevented from doing so by the examiner. That is, after all, why you have been given a pen and a piece of paper.

Sample Responses: “Describe Your Favorite Photograph”

“Photographs are the most effective means of preserving memorable occasions in our lives. Over the course of my life, I’ve amassed a large collection of interesting photos. These were taken in various locations with various people and meant a lot to me. A photo of my family is the most memorable in my collection.

It was taken in March 2012, when my family gathered for the wedding of one of my cousins. We had all traveled to Delhi to attend a wedding and had a wonderful time. We were running late for the last day’s reception ceremony, and when the morning chaos had subsided, and the family elders had squabbled over minor issues, we were ready to depart. My grandfather’s next-door neighbor was a happy person who jokingly invited everyone to come for a family photo. We all obliged, and the photo was taken once everyone had calmed down.

It holds a particular place in my heart because it was the last photo of my entire family. My grandfather died a few months after the wedding, and my cousin went abroad to continue his studies. As a result, December 2010 was the last time we saw the entire family happy and together, and the photograph serves as a reminder of that wonderful moment.”

Follow-up Question 1: 

What do you think are the differences between today’s photography and that of the past? 

“Photography has obviously changed a lot. From strips of films that needed to be developed in darkrooms, we only needed a smartphone or a digital camera, and we could take photos anytime, anywhere. And we can take a lot of photos without having to worry we would run out of shots. It’s really cool.”

Follow-up Question 2:

Do you like photography? 

“Not really, I think I am not an artistic person, and I believe photography is for those who are creative and artistic. I do take photos from time to time but not as a hobby, but more as a requirement for something and for leisure. For example, when I go on a holiday, I take photos, but that’s it.”

“While looking through some old paperwork, I recently came upon an old photograph. From then on, it has become my favorite photograph.  A newlywed pair is depicted in the photo. This was a black-and-white photograph, and with the passage of time, some of its components have become ruined. Other people can be seen standing behind the couple in the photo, and everyone appears to be smiling. That was, I believe, the era when black and white photography was the norm.

This is the first photograph of my parents’ marriage. Yes, they are the couple in the photo.  It is one of the few photos of their wedding. Taking a photograph back then was both difficult and expensive. The photograph is around 30 years old. It’s printed on a unique type of paper. I’ve never seen black-and-white photographs printed before. As a result, it was a unique experience for me. When I inquired about the photography of their wedding, my mother became emotionally reliving that day. She can still vividly remember everything that happened on that special day. 

For me, this is a special photograph. It depicts how a wedding ceremony was held in the past. I’d always been curious about my family’s history, and my parents’ marriage was an essential factor in this. The photographer has taken the photo from the correct perspective, and all of the elements are evenly represented in the image. Despite its age, this photograph has a certain charm to it, and it makes me happy every time I look at it. That is why this is my favorite photograph.”

Follow-up Question 1:

What do you prefer when taking photos, a camera or a smartphone?

“Well, I prefer to take photos using a camera. I actually own one right now, and I bring it with me every time; you’ll never know when you’ll need them. I feel more connected to the subject or whatever it is that I’m taking a photo of when I use my camera instead of a smartphone.” 

You mentioned that you owned a camera earlier. What are your favorite subjects? 

“I like taking photos of a lot of things, but on top of my list, I’d have to say nature. I love taking photos of the beach, fields, mountains, and even animals. They’re just so calm and relaxing to look at.”

Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘ Describe your favorite photograph .’ with their definitions and example sentences to guide you. 

Additional Reading — IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions

• Describe a Person You Admire
• Describe Your Best Friend
• Describe Someone Famous that You Want to Meet
• Describe a Person Who You Think is a Good Leader
• Describe a Neighbor You Like
• Describe a Place You Want to Travel Next
• Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to
• Describe a Place You and Your Friend Went to Recently
• Describe a Place Where You Spend Most of Your Free Time
• Describe a Country that You Want to Visit
• Describe a Gift that You Have Received Recently
• Describe an Item of Clothing that You Bought for Someone
• Describe a Piece of Art that You Want to Buy
• Describe Something that You Recently Lost
• Describe a Vehicle that You Want to Buy
• Describe an Activity that You Find Enjoyable
• Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop
• Describe an Event that You Recently Attended
• Describe One of the Busiest Days of Your Life
• Describe a Hobby that You Do with Your Family
• Describe a Difficult Decision that You Made
• Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky
• Describe the First Time You Had a Mobile Phone
• Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger
• Describe a Time When You Tried to Do Something but Weren’t Successful
• Describe Your Favorite Teacher
• Describe Your Favorite Subject in School
• Describe Your Favorite Song
• Describe Your Favorite Actor
• Describe a Situation that Made You Upset
• Describe a Time When You Had an Argument with Someone
• Describe One of the Happiest Travels You Ever Had
• Describe an Incident When You Got Scared
• Describe a Time When You Felt Relieved
• Describe a Workaholic Person You Know
• Describe an Interesting Course You Took
• Describe a Time When Someone at Work Gave You a Compliment
• Describe a Quiet Place at School Where You Like Spending Your Free Time
• Describe a Time When Something Unfortunate Happened at Work

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23 Photo Essay Ideas and Examples (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!)

A Post By: Kevin Landwer-Johan

Looking for inspiration? Our 23 photo essay ideas will take your photography skills to new heights!

A single, strong photograph can convey a lot of information about its subject – but sometimes we have topics that require more than one image to do the job. That’s when it’s time to make a photo essay: a collection of pictures that together tell the bigger story around a chosen theme.

In the following sections, we’ll explore various photo essay ideas and examples that cover a wide range of subjects and purposes. From capturing the growth of your children to documenting local festivals, each idea offers an exciting opportunity to tell a story through your lens, whether you’re a hobbyist or a veteran professional.

So grab your camera, unleash your creativity, and let’s delve into the wonderful world of photo essay examples!

What is a photo essay?

Simply put, a photo essay is a series of carefully selected images woven together to tell a story or convey a message. Think of it as a visual narrative that designed to capture attention and spark emotions.

Now, these images can revolve around a broad theme or focus on a specific storyline. For instance, you might create a photo essay celebrating the joy of companionship by capturing 10 heartwarming pictures of people sharing genuine laughter. On the other hand, you could have a photo essay delving into the everyday lives of fishermen in Wales by following a single fisherman’s journey for a day or even a week.

It’s important to note that photo essays don’t necessarily have to stick to absolute truth. While some documentary photographers prefer to keep it authentic, others may employ techniques like manipulation or staging to create a more artistic impact. So there is room for creativity and interpretation.

Why you should create a photo essay

Photo essays have a way of expressing ideas and stories that words sometimes struggle to capture. They offer a visual narrative that can be incredibly powerful and impactful.

Firstly, photo essays are perfect when you have an idea or a point you want to convey, but you find yourself at a loss for words. Sometimes, emotions and concepts are better conveyed through images rather than paragraphs. So if you’re struggling to articulate a message, you can let your photos do the talking for you.

Second, if you’re interested in subjects that are highly visual, like the mesmerizing forms of architecture within a single city, photo essays are the way to go. Trying to describe the intricate details of a building or the play of light and shadows with words alone can be challenging. But through a series of captivating images, you can immerse your audience in the architecture.

And finally, if you’re aiming to evoke emotions or make a powerful statement, photo essays are outstanding. Images have an incredible ability to shock, inspire, and move people in ways that words often struggle to achieve. So if you want to raise awareness about an environmental issue or ignite a sense of empathy, a compelling series of photographs can have a profound impact.

Photo essay examples and ideas

Looking to create a photo essay but don’t know where to start? Here are some handy essay ideas and examples for inspiration!

1. A day in the life

Your first photo essay idea is simple: Track a life over the course of one day. You might make an essay about someone else’s life. Or the life of a location, such as the sidewalk outside your house. 

The subject matter you choose is up to you. But start in the morning and create a series of images showing your subject over the course of a typical day.

(Alternatively, you can document your subject on a special day, like a birthday, a wedding, or some other celebration.)

2. Capture hands

Portraits focus on a subject’s face – but why not mix it up and make a photo essay that focuses on your subject’s hands?

(You can also focus on a collection of different people’s hands.)

Hands can tell you a lot about a person. And showing them in context is a great way to narrate a story.

3. Follow a sports team for a full season

Sports are all about emotions – both from the passionate players and the dedicated fans. While capturing the intensity of a single game can be exhilarating, imagine the power of telling the complete story of a team throughout an entire season.

For the best results, you’ll need to invest substantial time in sports photography. Choose a team that resonates with you and ensure their games are within a drivable distance. By photographing their highs and lows, celebrations and challenges, you’ll create a compelling photo essay that traces their journey from the first game to the last.

4. A child and their parent

Photographs that catch the interaction between parents and children are special. A parent-child connection is strong and unique, so making powerful images isn’t challenging. You just need to be ready to capture the special moments as they happen. 

You might concentrate on a parent teaching their child. Or the pair playing sports. Or working on a special project.

Use your imagination, and you’ll have a great time with this theme.

5. Tell a local artist’s story 

I’ve always enjoyed photographing artists as they work; studios have a creative vibe, so the energy is already there. Bring your camera into this environment and try to tell the artist’s story!

An artist’s studio offers plenty of opportunities for wonderful photo essays. Think about the most fascinating aspects of the artist’s process. What do they do that makes their art special? Aim to show this in your photos.

Many people appreciate fine art, but they’re often not aware of what happens behind the scenes. So documenting an artist can produce fascinating visual stories.

6. Show a tradesperson’s process

Do you have a plumber coming over to fix your kitchen sink? Is a builder making you a new deck?

Take photos while they work! Tell them what you want to do before you start, and don’t forget to share your photos with them.

They’ll probably appreciate seeing what they do from another perspective. They may even want to use your photos on their company website.

7. Photograph your kids as they grow

There’s something incredibly special about documenting the growth of our little ones. Kids grow up so quickly – before you know it, they’re moving out. Why not capture the beautiful moments along the way by creating a heartwarming photo essay that showcases their growth?

There are various approaches you can take, but one idea is to capture regular photos of your kids standing in front of a distinct point of reference, such as the refrigerator. Over a year or several years, you can gather these images and place them side by side to witness your childrens’ incredible transformations.

8. Cover a local community event

A school fundraiser, a tree-planting day at a park, or a parade; these are are all community events that make for good photo essay ideas.

Think like a photojournalist . What type of images would your editor want? Make sure to capture some wide-angle compositions , some medium shots, and some close-ups.

(Getting in close to show the details can often tell as much of a story as the wider pictures.)

9. Show fresh market life

Markets are great for photography because there’s always plenty of activity and lots of characters. Think of how you can best illustrate the flow of life at the market. What are the vendors doing that’s most interesting? What are the habits of the shoppers?

Look to capture the essence of the place. Try to portray the people who work and shop there.

10. Shoot the same location over time

What location do you visit regularly? Is there a way you can make an interesting photo essay about it?

Consider what you find most attractive and ugly about the place. Look for aspects that change over time. 

Any outdoor location will look different throughout the day. Also think about the changes that occur from season to season. Create an essay that tells the story of the place.

11. Document a local festival

Festivals infuse cities and towns with vibrant energy and unique cultural experiences. Even if your own town doesn’t have notable festivals, chances are a neighboring town does. Explore the magic of these celebrations by documenting a local festival through your lens.

Immerse yourself in the festivities, arriving early and staying late. Capture the colorful displays and the people who make the festival come alive. If the festival spans multiple days, consider focusing on different areas each time you visit to create a diverse and comprehensive photo essay that truly reflects the essence of the event.

12. Photograph a garden through the seasons

It might be your own garden . It could be the neighbor’s. It could even be the garden at your local park.

Think about how the plants change during the course of a year. Capture photos of the most significant visual differences, then present them as a photo essay.

13. Show your local town or city

After spending several years in a particular area, you likely possess an intimate knowledge of your local town or city. Why not utilize that familiarity to create a captivating photo essay that showcases the essence of your community?

Delve into what makes your town special, whether it’s the charming streets, unique landmarks, or the people who shape its character. Dedicate time to capturing the diverse aspects that define your locale. If you’re up for a more extensive project, consider photographing the town over the course of an entire year, capturing the changing seasons and the dynamic spirit of your community.

14. Pick a local cause to highlight

Photo essays can go beyond passive documentation; they can become a part of your activism, too!

So find a cause that matters to you. Tell the story of some aspect of community life that needs improvement. Is there an ongoing issue with litter in your area? How about traffic; is there a problematic intersection?

Document these issues, then make sure to show the photos to people responsible for taking action.

15. Making a meal

Photo essay ideas can be about simple, everyday things – like making a meal or a coffee.

How can you creatively illustrate something that seems so mundane? My guess is that, when you put your mind to it, you can come up with many unique perspectives, all of which will make great stories.

16. Capture the life of a flower

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Flowers, with their mesmerizing colors and rapid life cycles, offer a captivating subject for a photo essay. Try to slow down and appreciate the intricate details of a flower’s existence.

With a macro lens in hand, document a single flower or a patch of flowers from their initial shoots to their inevitable wilting and decomposition. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to bring viewers into the enchanting world of the flower. By freezing these fleeting moments, you’ll create a visual narrative that celebrates the cycle of life and the exquisite beauty found in nature’s delicate creations.

17. Religious traditions

Religion is often rich with visual expression in one form or another. So capture it!

Of course, you may need to narrow down your ideas and choose a specific aspect of worship to photograph. Aim to show what people do when they visit a holy place, or how they pray on their own. Illustrate what makes their faith real and what’s special about it.

18. Historic sites

Historic sites are often iconic, and plenty of photographers take a snapshot or two.

But with a photo essay, you can illustrate the site’s history in greater depth.

Look for details of the location that many visitors miss. And use these to build an interesting story.

19. Show the construction of a building

Ever been away from a familiar place for a while only to return and find that things have changed? It happens all the time, especially in areas undergoing constant development. So why not grab your camera and document this transformation?

Here’s the idea: Find a building that’s currently under construction in your area. It could be a towering skyscraper, a modern office complex, or even a small-scale residential project. Whatever catches your eye! Then let the magic of photography unfold.

Make it a habit to take a photo every day or two. Watch as the building gradually takes shape and evolves. Capture the construction workers in action, the cranes reaching for the sky, and the scaffolding supporting the structure.

Once the building is complete, you’ll have a treasure trove of images that chronicle its construction from start to finish!

20. Document the changing skyline of the city

This photo essay example is like the previous one, except it works on a much larger scale. Instead of photographing a single building as it’s built, find a nice vantage point outside your nearest city, then photograph the changing skyline.

To create a remarkable photo essay showcasing the changing skyline, you’ll need to scout out the perfect vantage point. Seek high ground that offers a commanding view of the city, allowing you to frame the skyline against the horizon. Look for spots that give you an unobstructed perspective, whether a rooftop terrace, a hillside park, or even a nearby bridge.

As you set out on your photography expedition, be patient and observant. Cities don’t transform overnight; they change gradually over time. Embrace the passage of days, weeks, and months as you witness the slow evolution unfold.

Pro tip: To capture the essence of this transformation, experiment with various photographic techniques. Play with different angles, framing, and compositions to convey the grandeur and dynamism of the changing skyline. Plus, try shooting during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset , when the soft light bathes the city in a warm glow and accentuates the architectural details.

21. Photograph your pet

If you’re a pet owner, you already have the perfect subject for a photo essay!

All pets , with the possible exception of pet rocks, will provide you with a collection of interesting moments to photograph.

So collect these moments with your camera – then display them as a photo essay showing the nature and character of your pet.

22. Tell the story of a local nature preserve

Ah, the wonders of a local nature preserve! While it may not boast the grandeur of Yosemite National Park, these hidden gems hold their own beauty, just waiting to be discovered and captured through the lens of your camera.

To embark on this type of photo essay adventure, start by exploring all the nooks and crannies of your chosen nature preserve. Wander along its winding trails, keeping an eye out for unique and captivating subjects that convey the essence of the preserve.

As you go along, try to photograph the intricate details of delicate wildflowers, the interplay of light filtering through a dense forest canopy, and the lively activities of birds and other wildlife.

23. Show the same subject from multiple perspectives

It’s possible to create an entire photo essay in a single afternoon – or even in a handful of minutes. If you don’t love the idea of dedicating yourself to days of photographing for a single essay, this is a great option.

Simply find a subject you like, then endeavor to capture 10 unique images that include it. I’d recommend photographing from different angles: up above, down low, from the right and left. You can also try getting experimental with creative techniques, such as intentional camera movement and freelensing. If all goes well, you’ll have a very cool set of images featuring one of your favorite subjects!

By showcasing the same subject from multiple perspectives, you invite viewers on a visual journey. They get to see different facets, textures, and details that they might have overlooked in a single photograph. It adds depth and richness to your photo essay, making it both immersive and dynamic.

Photo essay ideas: final words

Remember: Photo essays are all about communicating a concept or a story through images rather than words. So embrace the process and use images to express yourself!

Whether you choose to follow a sports team through a thrilling season, document the growth of your little ones, or explore the hidden treasures of your local town, each photo essay has its own magic waiting to be unlocked. It’s a chance to explore your creativity and create images in your own style.

So look at the world around you. Grab your gear and venture out into the wild. Embrace the beauty of nature, the energy of a bustling city, or the quiet moments that make life special. Consider what you see every day. What aspects interest you the most? Photograph those things.

You’re bound to end up with some amazing photo essays!

Now over to you:

Do you have any photo essay examples you’re proud of? Do you have any more photo essay ideas? Share your thoughts and images in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

Kevin Landwer-Johan is a photographer, photography teacher, and author with over 30 years of experience that he loves to share with others.

Check out his website and his Buy Me a Coffee page .

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How to Describe a Photo (IELTS Speaking)

Posted by David S. Wills | Sep 4, 2017 | IELTS Tips , Speaking | 1

In the IELTS speaking exam, you may be given the opportunity to describe a photo (or perhaps describe a picture). In this lesson, I will show you how to do that as effectively as possible.

Cue Card: Describe a Photo

In part 2 of the IELTS speaking test, you could be given this cue card:

Describe one of your favourite photographs. You should say: When the photograph was taken What it looks like What significant memory you have regarding this photograph and explain why it is one of your favourite photographs.

However, as always you should be very careful to read the question and make sure that you understand it fully before saying anything. There are variations and you will not necessarily be asked the question that is included above. It could say “describe a photo that you saw when you were young” or “describe a photo of a family member” or something like that. These would all require different descriptions of photographs.

Remember to analyse the cue card carefully and think precisely about what you must describe. However, don’t waste too much time doing this. You only have one minute to prepare your ideas. Here is a video I made about giving great answers for IELTS speaking part 2:

Using Photography Vocabulary in IELTS

So how do you talk about photos? Of course, you are not expected to be an expert photographer in order to do well at IELTS. You only need a basic and non-specialist knowledge of any subject. Still, if you are asked to describe a photo then you should be prepared and that means knowing some basic vocabulary and grammar to handle a question like this.

To cover the vocabulary part, I made a helpful guide to IELTS photography vocabulary for IELTS to help you:

Sample Answer: Describe a Photo

So how can you use this vocabulary to answer the above question? Here’s a sample answer: 

I take a lot of photos so it’s hard for me to pick just one, but if I had to I would choose a photo of a hippo in a lake. Last year I went on holiday to South Africa for the winter, and I visited a place called St. Lucia. They have a lot of amazing wildlife in South Africa and in St. Lucia there are many crocodiles and hippos. I was overwhelmed when I saw them, and for several days I walked around taking photos of these amazing creatures. One day, I got the courage to walk right into the middle of a sand bar and shoot some photos as the sun was setting over the lake. The result was a series of beautiful red and orange-tinged shots with a variety of wildlife dotting the landscape . In one photo, however, a huge hippo came out of the water and opened its mouth really wide! I didn’t even realize until I got home what happened, but the whole experience stuck in my mind. The photo is now printed and framed on my wall so that I never forget the feeling of being among such incredible animals in a place of such natural beauty.

Other Possible Photo Questions for IELTS Speaking

If you were asked to describe a favourite photo or a special photo for IELTS Speaking Part 2, then you might be given some of the following questions as a follow-up:

• What do you think about ‘Photography’ as a career?
• What makes a good photograph?
• How often do you take photographs?
• What are the improvements latest technologies has brought in photography

Also, if you do really enjoy photography, you might use that in Part 1 as a response to questions about hobbies or activities you do in your free time. If you get asked what you do with your friends, you might reply that you take selfies. 🙂 I’m sure the examiner will be impressed with your colloquial vocabulary.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Photography Question

Finally, let’s look at one example question from part 3 of the IELTS speaking test. Here, we will look at a slightly abstract question:

What are the advantages of taking photos on a mobile phone instead of on a normal camera?

You can see that this is not personal, like it would be for part 1. You should thus talk about society at large rather than your own personal experiences. Still, you can talk about yourself a little and incorporate some of your views where necessary. For example:

Mobile phones are now typically equipped with quite advanced cameras, so the advantages that so-called “normal cameras” have over them are diminishing. It used to be that a phone camera would have a pretty limited capacity and so you would only use it when you have no choice, but now they are really quite intelligent. They are idiot-proof, which means you should be able to pull it out and point it in any light to get a decent-quality picture, whereas a DSLR or similar camera would require a lot skill in order to get a good photo.

You can see that I answered that without much difficult vocabulary. I used the term DSLR , but apart from that there was nothing really challenging. This is ok. Remember that it is more important to be accurate than to have a fancy vocabulary.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Photo is an artistic representation of the world for some while it is a means of storing memories for people like me. A simple memory of past which then sounded absurd may reveal a beautiful memory of childhood. Back then, I thought my hair was messy, background wasn’t perfect and I was ugly. But then again the pic looks beautiful now with all its imperfections perfectly apt. Just like the famous quote ‘Life was better when Apple & Blueberry were mere fruits’, this memory remained with me as we had to print each photo in previous times. There was no option to recheck & store in digital view and print only if satisfied. So it is perfect to have imperfect shots for they happen to delight us one day regardless of worldwide appraisal or an award.

Mobile phones have quite advanced cameras, so portable & weightless cameras which we carry anyway as part of our lifestyle give us a significant advantage over normal costly & heavy cameras. Mobile cameras come up with different set of options to take snapshots of scenery in various lighting effects like night view etc as well. It seems less complicated and needs less amount of skills to take a photo from mobile rather than normal camera.

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Essays About Photography: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Discover the joy of photography by reading our guide on how to write essays about photography, including top essay examples and writing prompts. 

It is truly remarkable what pictures can tell you about the time they were taken and their subjects. For example, a well-taken photograph can expose the horrors of conflict in a war-torn country or the pain endured by victims of racial persecution. At the same time, it can also evoke a mother’s joy after seeing her newborn baby for the first time. Photography is crucial to preserving precious moments that deserve to be remembered.

Photography can be considered a form of art. So much intent is put into a picture’s composition, subject, angle, and lighting. There is a lot of talent, thought, and hard work that goes into photography to produce such thought-provoking images, 

If you are writing essays about photography, you can start by reading some examples. 

5 Essay Examples To Inspire You

1. why photography is a great hobby by lillie lane, 2. the importance of photography by emily holty, 3. why i love photography by bob locher.

• 4.  The Shocking History Of Death Photography by Yewande Ade
• 5. ​​Fashion photography by Sara Page

5 Helpful Prompts On Essays About Photography

1. what is your favorite thing to photograph, 2. why is photography so important, 3. should photography be considered an art form, 4. different types of photography, 5. interpretations of photographs.

“Be imaginative when writing your shots. Photography is about the impact of your chances. The odds are good that nobody will care to check over your picture When it is an item in a background. Discover how to produce a fantastic photograph, and take these skills and use them.”

Lane gives readers tips on taking better photos in this essay. These include keeping balance, choosing a subject widely, investing in certain pieces of equipment, and using the appropriate settings for taking pictures. She stresses that photos must appear as natural as possible, and following her advice may help people to get good pictures. 

“No matter where you go photography plays into your life somehow. We don’t realize how big of an impact photography truly has on us until we see the details of our life hidden in a photograph. When you flip through your photo album and start looking for those details you suddenly realize you are truly blessed. A photograph keeps a moment frozen in time so we have it forever. Something like joy becomes clearer as we look deeper into the photograph.”

Holty does an excellent job of describing what makes photography so appealing to many people. You can take a picture of anything you want if you want to remember it, and photos help us look at the intricacies and details of what we see around us every day. Photography also helps us keep memories in our heads and hearts as time passes by, and most of all, it allows us to document the greatness of our world. It is ever-present in our lives, and we will keep taking photos the more adventures we have. 

“Every day in normal circumstances people take thousands of pictures of the Grand Canyon. It takes very little thought to realize that few if any of these pictures will be in any way noteworthy above pictures already taken. But that said, they are OUR pictures, our personal affirmation of the wonderful scene stretched out below us, and that gives them a special validity for us.”

Locher reflects on the role photography played in his life and why he enjoys it so much, partly due to his spirituality. He previously worked in the photographic equipment business and rekindled his love for photography in his 60s. Photography, to him, is a way of affirming and acknowledging God’s creations around him and appreciating the natural world. He also briefly discusses the importance of equipment and post-editing; however, no photo is perfect. 

4.   The Shocking History Of Death Photography by Yewande Ade

“In fact, it was easier for the photographer if the dead person was in a sleeping position because there would be no need to put him or her in an appropriate position or prop the eyes open. The restful pose gave some families comfort because it made them believe that their loved one(s) had passed on happily and to a more peaceful realm. It gave the semblance of death as a painless act like sleep.”

An interesting phenomenon in the history of the camera is post-mortem photography, in which deceased people, usually children, were posed and made to look “alive,” to an extent, so their loved ones could remember them. This was done as a way of mourning; the subjects were made to look as if they were merely asleep to give their loved ones comfort that they had passed on peacefully and happily. Eventually, a reduction in the death rate led to the end of this practice. 

5. ​​ Fashion photography by Sara Page

“Modern fashion photography differs because photographers aim to be extraordinary with their work, they know that extra ordinary will interest the audience much more It is extremely evident that fashion photography has changed and developed throughout the years, however there is not just reason. It is clear that fashion photography has changed and developed because of advancements in technology, change in attitudes and the introduction of celebrities.”

Page’s essay focuses on the history of fashion photography and some techniques used in practice. It dated back to 1911 and astonished the public with glamorous photos of people wearing perfectly-styled outfits. As the years have gone on, photographers have taken the lighting of the photos more into account, as well as their settings. In addition, editing software such as Photoshop has allowed even better photos to be produced. Fashion photography has only become more extravagant with the current social culture. 

In your essay, write about your favorite subject when you take pictures- is it people, landscapes, objects, or something else? Explain why, give examples, and perhaps elaborate on your camera settings or the lighting you look for when taking photos.  

Photography is an important invention that has helped us immensely throughout the years- how exactly? Explain why photography rivals painting and why it is essential. Then, write about its importance to you, the entire world, and humanity. 

Some say photography pales compared to the intricacies of music, painting, sculpture, and even cinema and should not be considered a form of art. For an interesting argumentative essay, determine whether photography is genuine art or not and defend your position. Explore both sides of the topic and give a strong rebuttal against the opposing viewpoint. 

From street photography to food photography to portraiture, many different types of photography are classified according to the subject being captured. Write about at least three types of photography that interest you and what they entail. You may also discuss some similarities between them if any. Check out our list of the top CreativeLive photography courses .

Like other works of art, a photograph can be interpreted differently. Choose a photo you find exciting and describe how you feel about it. What is being portrayed? What emotions are being evoked? What did the photographer want to show here? Reflect on your chosen work and perhaps connect it with your personal life. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers . If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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How to Create an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

Photo essays tell a story in pictures. They're a great way to improve at photography and story-telling skills at once. Learn how to do create a great one.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ana Mireles

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Photography is a medium used to tell stories – sometimes they are told in one picture, sometimes you need a whole series. Those series can be photo essays.

If you’ve never done a photo essay before, or you’re simply struggling to find your next project, this article will be of help. I’ll be showing you what a photo essay is and how to go about doing one.

You’ll also find plenty of photo essay ideas and some famous photo essay examples from recent times that will serve you as inspiration.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a series of images that share an overarching theme as well as a visual and technical coherence to tell a story. Some people refer to a photo essay as a photo series or a photo story – this often happens in photography competitions.

Photographic history is full of famous photo essays. Think about The Great Depression by Dorothea Lange, Like Brother Like Sister by Wolfgang Tillmans, Gandhi’s funeral by Henri Cartier Bresson, amongst others.

What are the types of photo essay?

Despite popular belief, the type of photo essay doesn’t depend on the type of photography that you do – in other words, journalism, documentary, fine art, or any other photographic genre is not a type of photo essay.

Instead, there are two main types of photo essays: narrative and thematic .

As you have probably already guessed, the thematic one presents images pulled together by a topic – for example, global warming. The images can be about animals and nature as well as natural disasters devastating cities. They can happen all over the world or in the same location, and they can be captured in different moments in time – there’s a lot of flexibility.

A narrative photo essa y, on the other hand, tells the story of a character (human or not), portraying a place or an event. For example, a narrative photo essay on coffee would document the process from the planting and harvesting – to the roasting and grinding until it reaches your morning cup.

What are some of the key elements of a photo essay?

• Tell a unique story – A unique story doesn’t mean that you have to photograph something that nobody has done before – that would be almost impossible! It means that you should consider what you’re bringing to the table on a particular topic.
• Put yourself into the work – One of the best ways to make a compelling photo essay is by adding your point of view, which can only be done with your life experiences and the way you see the world.
• Add depth to the concept – The best photo essays are the ones that go past the obvious and dig deeper in the story, going behind the scenes, or examining a day in the life of the subject matter – that’s what pulls in the spectator.
• Nail the technique – Even if the concept and the story are the most important part of a photo essay, it won’t have the same success if it’s poorly executed.
• Build a structure – A photo essay is about telling a thought-provoking story – so, think about it in a narrative way. Which images are going to introduce the topic? Which ones represent a climax? How is it going to end – how do you want the viewer to feel after seeing your photo series?
• Make strong choices – If you really want to convey an emotion and a unique point of view, you’re going to need to make some hard decisions. Which light are you using? Which lens? How many images will there be in the series? etc., and most importantly for a great photo essay is the why behind those choices.

9 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

Credit: Laura James

1. Choose something you know

To make a good photo essay, you don’t need to travel to an exotic location or document a civil war – I mean, it’s great if you can, but you can start close to home.

Depending on the type of photography you do and the topic you’re looking for in your photographic essay, you can photograph a local event or visit an abandoned building outside your town.

It will be much easier for you to find a unique perspective and tell a better story if you’re already familiar with the subject. Also, consider that you might have to return a few times to the same location to get all the photos you need.

2. Follow your passion

Most photo essays take dedication and passion. If you choose a subject that might be easy, but you’re not really into it – the results won’t be as exciting. Taking photos will always be easier and more fun if you’re covering something you’re passionate about.

3. Take your time

A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That’s why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you’re not passionate about it – it’s difficult to push through.

4. Write a summary or statement

Photo essays are always accompanied by some text. You can do this in the form of an introduction, write captions for each photo or write it as a conclusion. That’s up to you and how you want to present the work.

5. Learn from the masters

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Making a photographic essay takes a lot of practice and knowledge. A great way to become a better photographer and improve your storytelling skills is by studying the work of others. You can go to art shows, review books and magazines and look at the winners in photo contests – most of the time, there’s a category for photo series.

6. Get a wide variety of photos

Think about a story – a literary one. It usually tells you where the story is happening, who is the main character, and it gives you a few details to make you engage with it, right?

The same thing happens with a visual story in a photo essay – you can do some wide-angle shots to establish the scenes and some close-ups to show the details. Make a shot list to ensure you cover all the different angles.

Some of your pictures should guide the viewer in, while others are more climatic and regard the experience they are taking out of your photos.

7. Follow a consistent look

Both in style and aesthetics, all the images in your series need to be coherent. You can achieve this in different ways, from the choice of lighting, the mood, the post-processing, etc.

8. Be self-critical

Once you have all the photos, make sure you edit them with a good dose of self-criticism. Not all the pictures that you took belong in the photo essay. Choose only the best ones and make sure they tell the full story.

9. Ask for constructive feedback

Often, when we’re working on a photo essay project for a long time, everything makes perfect sense in our heads. However, someone outside the project might not be getting the idea. It’s important that you get honest and constructive criticism to improve your photography.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 5 Steps

Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

1. Choose your topic

This is the first step that you need to take to decide if your photo essay is going to be narrative or thematic. Then, choose what is it going to be about?

Ideally, it should be something that you’re interested in, that you have something to say about it, and it can connect with other people.

2. Research your topic

To tell a good story about something, you need to be familiar with that something. This is especially true when you want to go deeper and make a compelling photo essay. Day in the life photo essays are a popular choice, since often, these can be performed with friends and family, whom you already should know well.

3. Plan your photoshoot

Depending on what you’re photographing, this step can be very different from one project to the next. For a fine art project, you might need to find a location, props, models, a shot list, etc., while a documentary photo essay is about planning the best time to do the photos, what gear to bring with you, finding a local guide, etc.

Every photo essay will need different planning, so before taking pictures, put in the required time to get things right.

4. Experiment

It’s one thing to plan your photo shoot and having a shot list that you have to get, or else the photo essay won’t be complete. It’s another thing to miss out on some amazing photo opportunities that you couldn’t foresee.

So, be prepared but also stay open-minded and experiment with different settings, different perspectives, etc.

5. Make a final selection

Editing your work can be one of the hardest parts of doing a photo essay. Sometimes we can be overly critical, and others, we get attached to bad photos because we put a lot of effort into them or we had a great time doing them.

Try to be as objective as possible, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and make various revisions before settling down on a final cut.

7 Photo Essay Topics, Ideas & Examples

Credit: Michelle Leman

• Architectural photo essay

Using architecture as your main subject, there are tons of photo essay ideas that you can do. For some inspiration, you can check out the work of Francisco Marin – who was trained as an architect and then turned to photography to “explore a different way to perceive things”.

You can also lookup Luisa Lambri. Amongst her series, you’ll find many photo essay examples in which architecture is the subject she uses to explore the relationship between photography and space.

• Process and transformation photo essay

This is one of the best photo essay topics for beginners because the story tells itself. Pick something that has a beginning and an end, for example, pregnancy, the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the life-cycle of a plant, etc.

Keep in mind that these topics are linear and give you an easy way into the narrative flow – however, it might be difficult to find an interesting perspective and a unique point of view.

• A day in the life of ‘X’ photo essay

There are tons of interesting photo essay ideas in this category – you can follow around a celebrity, a worker, your child, etc. You don’t even have to do it about a human subject – think about doing a photo essay about a day in the life of a racing horse, for example – find something that’s interesting for you.

• Time passing by photo essay

It can be a natural site or a landmark photo essay – whatever is close to you will work best as you’ll need to come back multiple times to capture time passing by. For example, how this place changes throughout the seasons or maybe even over the years.

A fun option if you live with family is to document a birthday party each year, seeing how the subject changes over time. This can be combined with a transformation essay or sorts, documenting the changes in interpersonal relationships over time.

• Travel photo essay

Do you want to make the jump from tourist snapshots into a travel photo essay? Research the place you’re going to be travelling to. Then, choose a topic.

If you’re having trouble with how to do this, check out any travel magazine – National Geographic, for example. They won’t do a generic article about Texas – they do an article about the beach life on the Texas Gulf Coast and another one about the diverse flavors of Texas.

The more specific you get, the deeper you can go with the story.

• Socio-political issues photo essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples – it falls under the category of photojournalism or documental photography. They are usually thematic, although it’s also possible to do a narrative one.

Depending on your topic of interest, you can choose topics that involve nature – for example, document the effects of global warming. Another idea is to photograph protests or make an education photo essay.

It doesn’t have to be a big global issue; you can choose something specific to your community – are there too many stray dogs? Make a photo essay about a local animal shelter. The topics are endless.

• Behind the scenes photo essay

A behind-the-scenes always make for a good photo story – people are curious to know what happens and how everything comes together before a show.

Depending on your own interests, this can be a photo essay about a fashion show, a theatre play, a concert, and so on. You’ll probably need to get some permissions, though, not only to shoot but also to showcase or publish those images.

4 Best Photo Essays in Recent times

Now that you know all the techniques about it, it might be helpful to look at some photo essay examples to see how you can put the concept into practice. Here are some famous photo essays from recent times to give you some inspiration.

Habibi by Antonio Faccilongo

This photo essay wan the World Press Photo Story of the Year in 2021. Faccilongo explores a very big conflict from a very specific and intimate point of view – how the Israeli-Palestinian war affects the families.

He chose to use a square format because it allows him to give order to things and eliminate unnecessary elements in his pictures.

With this long-term photo essay, he wanted to highlight the sense of absence and melancholy women and families feel towards their husbands away at war.

The project then became a book edited by Sarah Leen and the graphics of Ramon Pez.

Picture This: New Orleans by Mary Ellen Mark

The last assignment before her passing, Mary Ellen Mark travelled to New Orleans to register the city after a decade after Hurricane Katrina.

The images of the project “bring to life the rebirth and resilience of the people at the heart of this tale”, – says CNNMoney, commissioner of the work.

Each survivor of the hurricane has a story, and Mary Ellen Mark was there to record it. Some of them have heartbreaking stories about everything they had to leave behind.

Others have a story of hope – like Sam and Ben, two eight-year-olds born from frozen embryos kept in a hospital that lost power supply during the hurricane, yet they managed to survive.

Selfie by Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer whose work is mainly done through self-portraits. With them, she explores the concept of identity, gender stereotypes, as well as visual and cultural codes.

One of her latest photo essays was a collaboration with W Magazine entitled Selfie. In it, the author explores the concept of planned candid photos (‘plandid’).

The work was made for Instagram, as the platform is well known for the conflict between the ‘real self’ and the one people present online. Sherman started using Facetune, Perfect365 and YouCam to alter her appearance on selfies – in Photoshop, you can modify everything, but these apps were designed specifically to “make things prettier”- she says, and that’s what she wants to explore in this photo essay.

Tokyo Compression by Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has an interest in the broad-gauge topic Life in Cities. From there, many photo essays have been derived – amongst them – Tokyo Compression .

He was horrified by the way people in Tokyo are forced to move to the suburbs because of the high prices of the city. Therefore, they are required to make long commutes facing 1,5 hours of train to start their 8+ hour workday followed by another 1,5 hours to get back home.

To portray this way of life, he photographed the people inside the train pressed against the windows looking exhausted, angry or simply absent due to this way of life.

You can visit his website to see other photo essays that revolve around the topic of life in megacities.

Final Words

It’s not easy to make photo essays, so don’t expect to be great at it right from your first project.

Start off small by choosing a specific subject that’s interesting to you –  that will come from an honest place, and it will be a great practice for some bigger projects along the line.

Whether you like to shoot still life or you’re a travel photographer, I hope these photo essay tips and photo essay examples can help you get started and grow in your photography.

Let us know which topics you are working on right now – we’ll love to hear from you!

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

Penelope G. To Ana Mireles Such a well written and helpful article for an writer who wants to inclue photo essay in her memoir. Thank you. I will get to work on this new skill. Penelope G.

Herman Krieger Photo essays in black and white

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18 Immersive Photo Essay Examples & Tips

By Tata Rossi 13 days ago, Professional photography

A photo essay tells a story or evokes emotion through a series of photographs. The essays allow you to be creative and fully explore an idea. Such essays exist in a variety of forms – from photos only to images with brief comments or written essays accompanied by shots. Choose a photo essay example that you can easily do based on your professional level and the equipment you use.

1. Protests

• View the “Resistance” photo essay by David Moore .

A great idea for photo essays for students is to shoot the protest to show its power. You can capture people with signs and banners to demonstrate what they are standing for. Besides, you can learn how to capture moving subjects. Use the best example of photo essay and don’t forget about angles, composition, and framing.

To create a photo essay , go up to the front and photograph the leader of the protesters walking forward. After that, go back to the end of the group to take pictures of families joining the protest. As a result, you will gain experience shooting big groups of people in motion.

2. Transformation

• View the “A Self-Portrait Every Day” photo essay by Noah Kalina .

This idea is all about capturing the way a person changes. You may take photos of a pregnant woman and then capture the same model with a child. By documenting the development of the child for several years, you can tell a great story in the form of a photo essay.

However, you can also create a photo essay about the transformation of different objects. For instance, you can create a time-lapse series to capture the history of a renovated building. While you will have to take a lot of similar photos to bring this idea to life, it will allow you to achieve an impressive result.

3. Local Event

• View the “Monday Marathon” photo essay by Quinn G. Perini .

Whether you are a resident of a large city or a small town, you can find an opportunity to visit a local event, like a marathon or a festival. This is a nice chance to follow modern photography trends and bring photo essay ideas to life.

You can capture the before-and-after stages of the event. Arrive earlier and take pictures of the preparation activities, then shoot the actual event starting with the official beginning.

Keep photographing even when the event is over and capture the cleaning up and disassembling processes.

4. Photowalk

• View the “Empty Campus” photo essay by Elise Trissel .

Explore the location where you live and find interesting objects to capture in the vicinity. Using the most interesting photo essay examples, you can decide how to make the best decisions. Don’t hurry and try to discover which angles you can use to capture the unique atmosphere of each place.

If you live in the city, you may capture architectural details, wide shots of busy streets, or just take photos of passersby and street signs. Think about the details that make every location unique. For instance, you can try capturing reflections to see how they allow you to see the city from an unusual angle. You can find reflections everywhere, so be sure to pay attention to mirrored buildings, puddles, and fountains.

5. Place Over Time

• View the “At Home in the Ozarks” photo essay by Kylee Cole .

If you want to document changes and show how the streets, buildings, and parks in your city change over time, select your favorite locations and start to visit them regularly to capture the way they look during different seasons.

• View the “Last Moments” photo essay by Ross Taylor .

You don’t necessarily have to focus on profound photo essay topics to evoke emotions. Capturing pets enjoying their worry-free and untroubled life seems like an easy but interesting activity.

Choose any animal – from a domestic bird to a dog, cat, or horse. For more emotional images, use such pet photography ideas when your pet is still a baby and recreate these shots when it is older or is in its final days.

7. Street Style

• View the Tribal Street Photography photo essay by Hans Eijkelboom .

People often express themselves with the help of clothes. The way passers-by on the streets are dressed may reflect the clothing style of a whole society. That’s why you can travel around the world and capture people’s outfits in various areas. When taking portrait photos in the streets, you can also include some of the surroundings to put them in the context.

You can ask people in the streets to pose for you or try to capture them in movement. Select a suitable location for taking photos and create a photo essay to document what kinds of people one can meet in this location. When doing urban photography , you should ask people for permission before taking photos of them. You can ask their contacts and send them your photos later.

8. Abandoned Building

• View the “Lost Collective” photo essay by Bret Pattman .

Old buildings are excellent architecture photography essay topics for students since you can capture a large number of elements. They allow you to imagine what a particular street looked like in the past. You may use a photo essay example for students as references.

Get approval before going in, but mind that such places are far from being totally safe. Bring various lenses: the macro lenses – for details and the wide-angle one – when you want to include many elements in one shot.

9. Alternative Lifestyles

• View the “Last Nomad Hippies” photo essay by Roberto Palomo .

Some people decide to lead a lifestyle that differs from the one generally accepted by society. Explore different areas and look for people with an unusual way of living. You can capture candid photos of regular people or take pictures of a person with an unusual hobby.

Take pictures of those, who reside in extraordinary conditions, representatives of various subcultures, or the LBGTQ community. These photo essay topics show other people that it is okay to go out of their comfort zone and run against the wind.

10. Social Issues

• View the “Juveniles in Prison” photo essay by Isadora Kosofsky .

The best photo essay examples for students are related to social issues, like unemployment, domestic violence, gender discrimination, and more. Address the topic carefully and look for a proper perspective.

Your shots may draw the people’s attention to a truly burning and relevant matter and have a stronger effect than any text.

11. Behind the Scenes

• View the “Follow Me” photo essay by Marius Masalar .

If you are going to visit an event, get ready to take some behind-the-scenes photos. For instance, you can document the preparations for a festival. Capture the work of the lead event planner and other professionals to tell the story of the festival from an unusual angle.

Alternatively, you can capture the events happening backstage during a drama production. Take pictures of actors and actresses when they are getting ready for the performance. Try capturing the emotions of the main lead and show how stage workers make final preparations. You can also document the work of designers and makeup professionals.

12. Landmarks

• View the “Volte-Face” photo essay by Oliver Curtis .

The pictures of landmarks are typically taken from a certain spot. One of the best photo essay ideas is to try shooting sights from various angles. You will also have an opportunity to improve your composition and your framing skills.

If you take a look at any pictorial essay example, you will see that the variety of perspectives is endless: through the streets, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, with a drone or including reflections.

    • View the “Family” photo essay by Olivia Moore .

You can capture the way family members interact with each other and demonstrate the strong connection they share. In some cases, it makes sense to focus on capturing candid photos when doing family photography .

However, you may also opt for a different approach and focus on more difficult social topics. For instance, if you want to examine the issue of immigration, you can take pictures of a family from another country. In addition, you may show how families cope with other social issues, including poverty or unequal access to healthcare.

14. A Day in the Life

• View the “A Day in the Life of Carlos Gaytan” photo essay by Sandy Noto .

One of the best photo essays concepts is related to a day in a person’s life. The main character can be any person – a relative, family member, teacher, writer, or policeman.

People are generally interested in finding out facts about the lives and daily routines of others. The life of every human is incredible, especially if you learn it in more detail. This idea is especially suitable for taking documentary photos. For instance, you can select any photo essay sample you like and then capture a portrait of a person with the tools they use for their work.

15. Education

• View the “School Day” photo essay by Nancy Borowick .

You can also take great photos in the classroom capturing the interactions of teachers and their students. Avoid distracting them, as it will be easier for you to take natural shots. Using a variety of settings, you can make your photo essay more engaging. For instance, you may visit chemistry labs, capture teachers during a break, and take photos in other locations.

• View the “Meals From the Motherland” photo essay by James Tran .

You can also focus on specific meals to create a professional photo essay about food. To make it more attention-grabbing, try using different food photography ideas .

For instance, you can take photos of popular meals, capture the meals made by a specific person, or document cooking traditions in different countries. When taking photos in a restaurant, pay attention to the surroundings as well to capture the unique atmosphere of a place.

17. Capture the Neighbors

• View the “Our Neighbors” photo essay by Jeanne Martin .

Regardless of the place where you live, you have to establish good relationships with your neighbors. People who live nearby can also be great models for professionals who specialize in portrait photography. To implement this idea, make sure to capture people at home or in front of their houses to include some of the surroundings in your photo essay.

You will discover many interesting facts about people who live nearby. Shooting a photo essay will allow you to learn them better and establish a strong connection with them. This way, you can create a sense of community and discover what holds its members together.

18. Climate Change

• View the “Effects of Climate Change” photo essay by Sanya Gupta .

It is possible to a variety of photo story ideas bring to life examining the impact of climate change. Travel to places most affected by climate change, for instance, glaciers or famous resorts.

Capture the way the continuous drought has influenced the environment, animals, and the inhabitants. As an alternative, take pictures of environmentalist protests or inexhaustible energy sources.

Photo Essay Tips for Students

Explore your topic . An in-depth exploration of the main topic of your photo essay will help you find the best ideas for conveying your message. You can also find some sources for inspiration and useful materials. This stage allows you to learn more about your subject and select the best way of organizing your photo essay.

Create a storyboard . Using a storyboard, you can better understand what shots you need to take and what order can help you to tell a story in the best way. It will also allow you to create the right mood.

Take as many pictures as you can . To create a compelling story, make sure to take a lot of photos. It will allow you to choose the best pictures for your photo essay. Besides, you will always have backup photos if some of your pictures get damaged.

Experiment with different techniques . By changing the angle and using a variety of editing techniques, you can transform the way your photos look. When taking photos, try using different angles to capture the subject in the best way. You can also try changing the distance from the model, using black-and-white film, or employing a range of developing methods.

Add text . While some photographers create photo essays without text, it can still help you bring your point across more clearly and make it easier for a viewer to understand what you imply. By providing extra information, such as some facts, you can change the perception of your image. If you don’t know how to write descriptions, you can hire a professional writer to perform this task.

Enhance your photos . To edit your pictures, make sure to use professional photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Using the available tools, you can improve and change your photos. They allow you to fix issues with lighting, adjust WB, make colors richer, crop your pics to improve the composition, and perform other tasks. In case you need to edit your photos in a consistent style, you can use Photoshop Actions or Lightroom Presets.

In some cases, your pictures may require more advanced editing. If you see that your skills are insufficient or if you don’t have enough time, you can outsource the task of enhancing your photos to the FixThePhoto team. They will professionally enhance your pictures for a budget price. Their prices start from $1.50 per photo.

Want to Get a Professionally-Retouched Photo Essay?

The editing team at FixThePhoto specializes in delivering personalized and artistically enhanced photo essay, making sure to meet all your preferences. They can assist with different tasks, whether it's selecting the best shots or doing detailed retouching work.

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To streamline your workflow and quickly edit your essay photos like a pro, make sure to apply these actions to your photos. Even if you use a photo essay example when taking pictures, you can utilize these actions to give your images a professional feel, tweak colors, edit lighting, and improve the overall look of your pics.

In this bundle, you will find actions created by experienced professionals who used recent photo enhancement trends to create convenient editing tools. Here, you will find a collection of brushes, patterns, overlays, and other effects for editing your photos in a realistic way.

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Describe Your Favorite Photograph

The IELTS Cue Card section also referred to as the IELTS Speaking Task 2 , is one of the parts of the IELTS test that has caused a lot of stress and anxiety among those who have taken it.

Why? It is because, for starters, you are asked to address a subject about which you may be unfamiliar.

Second, you only have a short amount of time to prepare. To make matters worse, you must speak for a longer period without being interrupted by the examiner. Fret no more!

Sample responses to the cue card topic ‘Describe your favorite photograph.’ are provided in this post. Keep reading.

What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?

The examiner will offer you a topic card in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test . This card is called a cue card. A brief summary of a topic will be included on the card, and some suggestions for what to include.

The theme will be related to someone you know, an event you attended, or things you like. You have a minute to plan. You will be provided with a piece of paper and a pencil by the examiner so that you can jot down some ideas.

The examiner will invite you to begin your presentation after one minute, giving your speech.

You have up to two minutes to speak without interruption from the examiner. The examiner will listen without speaking, although they may nod or gesture to encourage you to continue speaking.

After your 2 minutes is over, the examiner will instruct you to stop and very certainly ask you 1-2 questions about the subject. You need to give short answers to these questions.

How to Answer this Specific Question: “Describe Your Favorite Photograph”

Topic/question, guidelines to answer this question.

You should say:

• Who or what in the photograph was/were
• When it was taken
• Where it was taken

and explain why you love this photograph.

• Think of a photograph that you like the most. It could be a personal photograph or simply a photograph you have seen somewhere in the past. Whatever this photograph is, ensure that you have a vivid picture of how this photo looks so you can describe it well later on.
• The moment you have decided what photograph to discuss, stick to it. You only have a little time to prepare so you should not change your mind.
• Write down ideas right away. State what and who is in the photograph. Describe what it looks like and when and where it was taken. Discuss how you feel whenever you look at it and explain why it is your favorite photograph.
• Keep in mind that you should maximize the time given, so you should not write sentences. Just write keywords and phrases.
• Employ a wide range of advanced vocabulary. Utilize complicated grammatical structures too. This will amaze the examiner and will give you a good chance of receiving a high mark on this section of the examination.
• Be as quick as possible when taking notes. Nonetheless, ensure that you will be able to understand what you have written later on. If the examiner cannot read what you wrote, that is alright. Your grade is determined by the content and delivery of your speech, not the quality of your penmanship.
• You may take a quick look at your notes now and then. It is permissible. You will not be prevented from doing so by the examiner. That is, after all, why you have been given a pen and a piece of paper.

Sample Responses: “Describe Your Favorite Photograph”

Sample response 1:.

“Photographs are the most effective means of preserving memorable occasions in our lives. Over the course of my life, I’ve amassed a large collection of interesting photos. These were taken in various locations with various people and meant a lot to me. A photo of my family is the most memorable in my collection.

It was taken in March 2012, when my family gathered for the wedding of one of my cousins. We had all traveled to Delhi to attend a wedding and had a wonderful time. We were running late for the last day’s reception ceremony, and when the morning chaos had subsided, and the family elders had squabbled over minor issues, we were ready to depart. My grandfather’s next-door neighbor was a happy person who jokingly invited everyone to come for a family photo. We all obliged, and the photo was taken once everyone had calmed down.

It holds a particular place in my heart because it was the last photo of my entire family. My grandfather died a few months after the wedding, and my cousin went abroad to continue his studies. As a result, December 2010 was the last time we saw the entire family happy and together, and the photograph serves as a reminder of that wonderful moment.”

Follow-up Question 1: 

What do you think are the differences between today’s photography and that of the past? 

“Photography has obviously changed a lot. From strips of films that needed to be developed in darkrooms, we only needed a smartphone or a digital camera, and we could take photos anytime, anywhere. And we can take a lot of photos without having to worry we would run out of shots. It’s really cool.”

Follow-up Question 2:

Do you like photography? 

“Not really, I think I am not an artistic person, and I believe photography is for those who are creative and artistic. I do take photos from time to time but not as a hobby, but more as a requirement for something and for leisure. For example, when I go on a holiday, I take photos, but that’s it.”

Sample Response 2: 

“While looking through some old paperwork, I recently came upon an old photograph. From then on, it has become my favorite photograph.  A newlywed pair is depicted in the photo. This was a black-and-white photograph, and with the passage of time, some of its components have become ruined. Other people can be seen standing behind the couple in the photo, and everyone appears to be smiling. That was, I believe, the era when black and white photography was the norm.

This is the first photograph of my parents’ marriage. Yes, they are the couple in the photo.  It is one of the few photos of their wedding. Taking a photograph back then was both difficult and expensive. The photograph is around 30 years old. It’s printed on a unique type of paper. I’ve never seen black-and-white photographs printed before. As a result, it was a unique experience for me. When I inquired about the photography of their wedding, my mother became emotionally reliving that day. She can still vividly remember everything that happened on that special day. 

For me, this is a special photograph. It depicts how a wedding ceremony was held in the past. I’d always been curious about my family’s history, and my parents’ marriage was an essential factor in this. The photographer has taken the photo from the correct perspective, and all of the elements are evenly represented in the image. Despite its age, this photograph has a certain charm to it, and it makes me happy every time I look at it. That is why this is my favorite photograph.”

Follow-up Question 1:

What do you prefer when taking photos, a camera or a smartphone?

“Well, I prefer to take photos using a camera. I actually own one right now, and I bring it with me every time; you’ll never know when you’ll need them. I feel more connected to the subject or whatever it is that I’m taking a photo of when I use my camera instead of a smartphone.” 

You mentioned that you owned a camera earlier. What are your favorite subjects? 

“I like taking photos of a lot of things, but on top of my list, I’d have to say nature. I love taking photos of the beach, fields, mountains, and even animals. They’re just so calm and relaxing to look at.”

Vocabulary List for Answering the Question: “Describe Your Favorite Photograph”

Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘ Describe your favorite photograph .’ with their definitions and example sentences to guide you.

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Ielts cue card # 221 - describe a photograph that you remember well, describe a photograph that you remember well..

•   when it was taken
•   who took it
•   what is in the photograph

Similar Cue Card Topics

• Describe something valuable you have kept very carefully.
• Describe a family photograph you like.
• Describe your favourite photograph.
• Describe a photograph from your childhood.
• Describe a photograph with your friends.
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Describe a picture or photograph in your family Cue Card Sample Answers

Updated On Dec 06, 2023

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This article contains the ‘ Describe a picture or photograph in your family’  Cue Card Sample Answers.

During Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, you will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific topic. This is the IELTS cue card task. You can learn how to communicate clearly and successfully by reviewing sample answers.

‘ Describe a picture or photograph in your family’ IELTS cue card gives you an opportunity to share one of your opinions  on a picture or photograph in your family.

For more Cue Cards, take a look at  IELTS Speaking Part 2 | Topics, Questions and Samples Answers .

Get 5 quick tips on how to approach IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Cue Cards .

‘Describe a picture or photograph in your family’ IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card – Question

Band 7 sample answer.

The photograph that was taken when I was only 4-5 years old with my parents, grandfather, and grandmother is one of my favorite photographs.

I do not have a clear memory of the event at which the photograph was taken but I have seen it thousands of times and still, I look at it with delight and sadness. The photograph is a black-and-white one and later I enlarged it and framed it in my living room. My grandparents and parents make the picture really significant to me.

I look with amazement into the picture and sometimes can’t believe I was so small and different at that time. The picture gives me gloomy feelings as my grandfather and mother are no longer with us. In the picture, they seem so lively but I can’t be with them anymore! This photograph is probably my favorite one as it keeps me closer to my grandparents and reminds me of how we were a happy family. Every time I look at this particular picture, it gives a different sensation – a mixture of happiness and sadness. This is a priceless possession to me and I would like to cherish it for the rest of my life.

Band 9 Sample Answer

Click on the audio to listen to the sample answer below. Pay attention to the intonation and pronunciation of the words.

As I am interested in photography, I have taken thousands of photos. However, the most meaningful photograph to me is the big family portrait that is hung on the wall of my living room and it is the first thing that everyone notices the moment they walk into my house.

The photograph was taken one year ago on a summer holiday. It was the first time that my family enjoyed the summer vacation together. We decided to go on a trip to Sam Son Beach which is one of the most popular destinations for a summer holiday in my country.

The photo was probably the first picture of my whole family – my parents, my older brother, my little sister, and me. It is such a brilliant photo, with everyone standing on the beach and smiling. A professional photographer captured this moment and his absolutely brilliant skills show in the picture. You can even see the crystal clear water sparkling under the sunlight and the seashore in the background. It was a scorching hot day, and the sky was blue with no clouds, making it a perfect scene to take a photo.

The photo is very special to me. Whenever I feel unhappy, just looking at the picture cheers me up right away. I believe that no matter what happens, my parents and my siblings will always stand by me and support me.

• Portrait:  a painting, drawing, or engraving of a person. Eg:  I was mesmerized seeing the portrait gallery in Chennai.
• Destination:  the place to where a person is going or being sent to Eg:  We reached our destination on the train.
• Absolutely:  with no qualification, limitation, or restriction. Eg:  Her puppy is absolutely adorable.
• Crystal clear:  completely transparent and uncounted. Eg:  Although she’s in her thirties, her skin is crystal clear.
• Scorching:  very hot; severe Eg:  She fainted as she stood for a long time under the scorching heat.
• Enlarged:  having become big or been made larger. Eg:  The balloon enlarged when Sam pumped air into it.
• Gloomy:  dark or poorly lit; causing or feeling depressed. Eg:  After the separation, Raj became a gloomy person.
• Priceless:  invaluable, precious due to rarity. Eg:  Her grandmother’s antique jewelry was priceless.

‘Describe a picture or photograph in your family’ Part 3 – Follow-Up Question

1. How important is it for families to preserve and share photographs?

A:  Preserving and sharing family photographs is crucial as they serve as visual records of our history, fostering a sense of identity and connection among family members. It helps preserve memories and traditions for future generations.

2. In what ways do family photographs contribute to the emotional bond within a family?

A:  Family photographs capture special moments, creating a tangible link to shared experiences. When revisited, these images evoke emotions and strengthen the emotional bond among family members, reinforcing the sense of togetherness.

3. Can you share an instance where a family photograph played a significant role in your life or the life of someone you know?

A:  Certainly, there was a photo of my grandparents at their wedding that became a cherished family heirloom. It symbolized enduring love and commitment, serving as a source of inspiration for succeeding generations in our family.

4. How have advancements in technology affected the way families document and share their memories through photographs?

A:  Technological advancements have revolutionized the way families document memories. With the ease of digital photography and social media, families can instantly capture and share moments globally, promoting a more widespread and instantaneous exchange of memories.

5. Do you think there are any drawbacks to relying heavily on photographs to preserve family memories?

A:  While photographs are invaluable, relying solely on them may lead to a curated version of reality. It’s essential to balance digital documentation with genuine experiences and interactions to ensure a holistic and authentic representation of family life.

Also, Check

• Describe A Family You Know
• Describe Your Family
• Describe a family event you are looking forward to
• Describe a family picnic or tour you have had
• Talk about a hobby someone in your family has
• Describe an experience of teaching your friend or family member
• Describe a Family Member
• Describe a family not your own that you like

Top 10 IELTS Cue Cards + Band 9 Answers

Nafia Zuhana is an experienced content writer and IELTS Trainer. Currently, she is guiding students who are appearing for IELTS General and Academic exams through ieltsmaterial.com. With an 8.5 score herself, she trains and provides test takers with strategies, tips, and nuances on how to crack the IELTS Exam. She holds a degree in Master of Arts – Creative Writing, Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has worked with The Hindu for over a year as an English language trainer.

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Sudhir Kumar kushwaha

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It is very helpful Good bless you

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Posted on Oct 13, 2021

Its brilient, really very knowledgeable, easy and helpful…..keep it up

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Thank you for your hard work. You will be always remembered. Stay blessed!

Posted on Jul 25, 2021

nice sir very helpfull thanku

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17 Awesome Photo Essay Examples You Should Try Yourself

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If you’re looking for a photo essay example (or 17!), you’ve come to the right place. But what is the purpose of a photo essay? A photo essay is intended to tell a story or evoke emotion from the viewers through a series of photographs. They allow you to be creative and fully explore an idea. But how do you make one yourself? Here’s a list of photo essay examples. Choose one that you can easily do based on your photographic level and equipment.

Top 17 Photo Essay Examples

Here are some fantastic ideas to get you inspired to create your own photo essays!

17. Photograph a Protest

16. Transformation Photo Essays

15. Photograph the Same Place

14. Create a Photowalk

13. Follow the Change

12. Photograph a Local Event

11. Photograph an Abandoned Building

10. Behind the Scenes of a Photo Shoot

9. Capture Street Fashion

8. Landmark Photo Essay

7. Fathers & Children

6. A Day In the Life

5. Education Photo Essay

4. Fictitious Meals

3. Photograph Coffee Shops Using Cafenol

2. Photograph the Photographers

1. Capture the Neighbors

Photo essays tell stories. And there are plenty of amazingly interesting stories to tell! Photographing photo essays is a great way to practice your photography skills while having fun. You might even learn something! These photo essay examples are here to provide you with the inspiration to go out and tell your own stories through photos!

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How to Create a Photo Essay in 9 Steps (with Examples)

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What is a photo essay?

• Photo essays vs photo stories
• How photo essays help you
• 9 Steps to create photo essays

How to share your photo essays

Read Time: 11 minutes

Gather up a handful of images that seem to go together, and voila! It’s a photo essay, right? Well… no. Though, this is a common misconception.

In reality, a photo essay is much more thoughtful and structured than that. When you take the time to craft one, you’re using skills from all facets of our craft – from composition to curation.

In this guide, you’ll learn what makes a photo essay an amazing project that stretches your skills. You’ll also learn exactly how to make one step by step.

• Photo essay vs photo story

A photo essay is a collection of images based around a theme, a topic, a creative approach, or an exploration of an idea. Photo essays balance visual variety with a cohesive style and concept.

What’s the difference between a photo essay and a photo story?

The terms photo essay and photo story are often used interchangeably. Even the dictionary definition of “photo essay” includes using images to convey either a theme or a story.

But in my experience, a photo essay and a photo story are two different things. As you delve into the field of visual storytelling, distinguishing between the two helps you to take a purposeful approach to what you’re making .

The differences ultimately lie in the distinctions between theme, topic and story.

Themes are big-picture concepts. Example: Wildness

Topics are more specific than themes, but still overarching. Example : Wild bears of Yellowstone National Park

Stories are specific instances or experiences that happen within, or provide an example for, a topic or theme. Example: A certain wild bear became habituated to tourists and was relocated to maintain its wildness

Unlike a theme or topic, a story has particular elements that make it a story. They include leading characters, a setting, a narrative arc, conflict, and (usually) resolution.

With that in mind, we can distingush between a photo essay and a photo story.

Themes and Topics vs Stories

A photo essay revolves around a topic, theme, idea, or concept. It visually explores a big-picture something .

This allows a good deal of artistic leeway where a photographer can express their vision, philosophies, opinions, or artistic expression as they create their images.

A photo story  is a portfolio of images that illustrate – you guessed it – a story.

Because of this, there are distinct types of images that a photo story uses that add to the understanding, insight, clarity and meaning to the story for viewers. While they can certainly be artistically crafted and visually stunning, photo stories document something happening, and rely on visual variety for capturing the full experience.

A photo essay doesn’t need to have the same level of structured variety that a photo story requires. It can have images that overlap or are similar, as they each explore various aspects of a theme.

Photo essays can be about any topic. If you live in a city, consider using your nature photography to make an essay about the wildlife that lives in your neighborhood . 

The role of text with photos

A photo story typically runs alongside text that narrates the story. We’re a visual species, and the images help us feel like we are there, experiencing what’s happening. So, the images add significant power to the text, but they’re often a partner to it.

This isn’t always the case, of course. Sometimes photo stories don’t need or use text. It’s like reading a graphic novel that doesn’t use text. Moving through the different images that build on each other ultimately unveils the narrative.

Photo essays don’t need to rely on text to illuminate the images’ theme or topic. The photographer may use captions (or even a text essay), or they may let the images speak for themselves.

Definitions are helpful guidelines (not strict rules)

Some people categorize photo essays as either narrative or thematic. That’s essentially just calling photo stories “narrative photo essays” and photo essays “thematic photo essays.”

But, a story is a defined thing, and any writer/editor will tell you themes and topics are not the same as stories. And we use the word “story” in our daily lives as it’s defined. So, it makes far more sense to name the difference between a photo essay and a photo story, and bask in the same clarity writers enjoy .

Photo stories illustrate a particular experience, event, narrative, something that happened or is happening.

Photo essays explore an idea, concept, topic, theme, creative approach, big-picture something .

Both photo essays and photo stories are immensely powerful visual tools. And yes, the differences between them can certainly be blurred, as is always the case with art.

Simply use this distinction as a general guideline, providing extra clarity around what you’re making and why you’re making it.

To dig into specific types of images used to create powerful photo stories, check out this training: 6 Must-Have Shots for a Photo Story. 

Meanwhile, let’s dig deeper into photo essays.

Photo essays are a chance to try new styles or techniques that stretch your skills and creativity. This image was part of an essay exploring simplicity and shape, and helped me learn new skills in black and white post-processing.

How photo essays improve your photography

Creating photo essays is an amazing antidote if you’ve ever felt a lack of direction or purpose in your photography. Photo essays help build your photographic skills in at least 3 important ways.

1. You become more strategic in creating a body of work

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of photographing whatever pops up in front of you. And when you do, you end up with a collection of stand-alone shots.

These singles may work fine as a print, a quick Instagram post, or an addition to your gallery of shots on your website. But amassing a bunch of one-off shots limits your opportunities as a photographer for everything from exhibits to getting your work published.

Building photo essays pushes you to think strategically about what you photograph, why, and how. You’re working toward a particular deliverable – a cohesive visual essay – with the images you create.

This elevates your skills in crafting your photo essay, and in how you curate the rest of your work, from galleries on your website to selecting images to sell as prints .

2. You become more purposeful in your composition skills

Composition is so much more than just following the rule of thirds, golden spirals, or thinking about the angle of light in a shot.

Composition is also about thinking ahead in what you’re trying to accomplish with a photograph – from what you’re saying through it to its emotional impact on a viewer – and where it fits within a larger body of work.

Photo essays push you to think critically about each shot – from coming up with fresh compositions for familiar subjects, to devising surprising compositions to fit within a collection, to creating compositions that expand on what’s already in a photo essay.

You’re pushed beyond creating a single pleasing frame, which leads you to shoot more thoughtfully and proactively than ever.

(Here’s a podcast episode on switching from reactive shooting to proactive shooting .)

3. You develop strong editing and curation skills

Selecting which images stay, and which get left behind is one of the hardest jobs on a photographer’s to-do list. Mostly, it’s because of emotional attachment.

You might think it’s an amazing shot because you know the effort that went into capturing it. Or perhaps when you look at it, you get a twinge of the joy or exhilaration you felt the moment you captured it. There’s also the second-guessing that goes into which of two similar images is the best – which will people like more? So you’re tempted to just show both.

Ultimately, great photographers appear all the more skilled because they only show their best work. That in and of itself is a skill they’ve developed through years of ruthlessly editing their own work.

Because the most powerful photo essays only show a handful of extraordinary images, you’re bound to develop the very same critical skill (and look all the more talented because of it).

Photo essays are also a great stepping stone to creating photo stories. If you’re interested in moving beyond stand-alone shots and building stories, shooting photo essays will get your creative brain limbered up and ready for the adventure of photo stories.

A photo essay exploring the natural history of a favorite species is an exciting opportunity for an in-depth study. For me, that was a photo essay on emotive images of the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) as it hunts in streams. 

9 Simple steps to create your photo essays

1. clarify your theme.

Choose a theme, topic, or concept you want to explore. Spend some time getting crystal clear on what you want to focus on. It helps to write out a few sentences, or even a few paragraphs noting:

• What you want the essay to be about
• What kinds of images you want to create as part of it
• How you’ll photograph the images
• The style, techniques, or gear you might use to create your images
• What “success” looks like when you’re done with your photo essay

You don’t have to stick to what you write down, of course. It can change during the image creation process. But fleshing your idea out on paper goes a long way in clarifying your photo essay theme and how you’ll go about creating it.

2. Create your images

Grab your camera and head outside!

As you’re photographing your essay, allow yourself some freedom to experiment. Try unusual compositions or techniques that are new to you.

Stretch your style a little, or “try on” the style of other photographers you admire who have photographed similar subjects.

Photo essays are wonderful opportunities to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and grow as a photographer.

Remember that a photo essay is a visually cohesive collection of images that make sense together. So, while you might stretch yourself into new terrain as you shoot, try to keep that approach, style, or strategy consistent.

Don’t be afraid to create lots of images. It’s great to have lots to choose from in the editing process, which comes up next.

3. Pull together your wide edit

Once you’ve created your images, pull together all the images that might make the cut. This could be as many as 40-60 images. Include anything you want to consider for the final essay in the wide edit.

From here, start weeding out images that:

• are weaker in composition or subject matter
• stand out like a sore thumb from the rest of the collection
• Are similar to other stronger images in the collection

It’s helpful to review the images at thumbnail size. You make more instinctive decisions and can more easily see the body of work as a whole. If an image is strong even at thumbnail size to stand out from similar frames while also partnering well with other images in the collection, that’s a good sign it’s strong enough for the essay.

4. Post-process your images for a cohesive look

Now it’s time to post-process the images. Use whatever editing software you’re comfortable with to polish your images.

Again, a photo essay has a cohesive visual look. If you use presets, filters, or other tools, use them across all the images.

5. Finalize your selection

It’s time to make the tough decisions. Select only the strongest for your photo essay from your group of images.

Each image should be strong enough to stand on its own and make sense as part of the whole group.

Many photo essays range from 8-12 images. But of course, it varies based on the essay. The number of images you have in your final photo essay is up to you.

Remember, less is more. A photo essay is most powerful when each image deserves to be included.

6. Put your images in a purposeful order

Create a visual flow with your images. Decide which image is first, and build from there. Use compositions, colors, and subject matter to decide which image goes next, then next, then next in the order.

Think of it like music: notes are arranged in a way that builds energy, or slows it down, surprise listeners with a new refrain, or drop into a familiar chorus. How the notes are ordered creates emotional arcs for listeners.

How you order your images is similar.

Think of the experience a viewer will have as they look at one image, then the next, and the next. Order your images so they create the experience you want your audience to have.

7. Get feedback

The best photographers make space for feedback, even when it’s tough to hear. Your work benefits from not just hearing feedback, but listening to it and applying what you learn from it.

Show your photo essay to people who have different sensibilities or tastes. Friends, family members, fellow photographers – anyone you trust to give you honest feedback.

Watch their reactions and hear what they say about what they’re seeing. Use their feedback to guide you in the next step.

8. Refine, revise, and finalize

Let your photo essay marinate for a little while. Take a day or two away from it. Then use your freshened eyes and the feedback you received from the previous step to refine your essay.

Swap out any selects you might want to change and reorder the images if needed.

9. Add captions

Even if you don’t plan on displaying captions with your images, captioning your images is a great practice to get into. It gives context, story, and important information to each image. And, more than likely, you will want to use these captions at some point when you share your photo essay, which we dive into later in this article.

Add captions to the image files using Lightroom, Bridge, or other software programs.

Create a document, such as a Google or Word doc, with captions for each image.

In your captions, share a bit about the story behind the image, or the creation process. Add whatever makes sense to share that provides a greater understanding of the image and its purpose.

Photo essays allow you to explore deliberate style choices, such as a focus on shapes, patterns, textures, and lines. Since each photo is part of a larger essay, it encourages you to be bold with choices you might not otherwise make. 

5 Examples of amazing nature photo essays

1. “how the water shapes us” from the nature conservancy.

This gorgeous essay, crafted with the work of multiple photographers, explores the people and places within the Mississippi River basin. Through the images, we gain a sense of how the water influences life from the headwater all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Notice how each photographer is tasked with the same theme, yet approaches it with their own distinct style and vision. It is a wonderful example of the sheer level of visual variety you can have while maintaining a consistent style or theme.

View it here

2. “A Cyclist on the English Landscape” from New York Times’ The World Through A Lens series

This photo essay is a series of self-portraits by travel photographer Roff Smith while “stuck” at home during the pandemic. As he peddled the roads making portraits, the project evolved into a “celebration of traveling at home”. It’s a great example of how visually consistent you can be inside a theme while making each image completely unique.

3. “Vermont, Dressed In Snow” from New York Times’ The World Through A Lens series

This essay by aerial photographer Caleb Kenna uses a very common photo essay theme: snow. Because all images are aerial photographs, there’s a consistency to them. Yet, the compositions are utterly unique from one another. It’s a great example of keeping viewers surprised as they move from one image to the next while still maintaining a clear focus on the theme.

4. “Starling-Studded Skies” from bioGraphic Magazine

This beautiful essay is by Kathryn Cooper, a physicist trained in bioinformatics, and a talented photographer. She used a 19th century photographic technique, chronophotography, to create images that give us a look at the art and science of starling murmurations. She states: “I’m interested in the transient moments when chaos briefly changes to order, and thousands of individual bodies appear to move as one.” This essay is a great example of deep exploration of a concept using a specific photographic technique.

View it here   (Note: must be viewed on desktop)

5. “These Scrappy Photos Capture the Action-Packed World Beneath a Bird Feeder” from Audubon Magazine

This photo essay from conservation photographer Carla Rhodes explores the wildlife that takes advantage of the bounty of food waiting under bird feeders . Using remote camera photography , Rhodes gives viewers a unique ground-level perspective and captures moments that make us feel like we’re in conversation with friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. This essay is a great example of how perspective, personality, and chance can all come into play as you explore both an idea and a technique.

25 Ideas for creative photo essays you can make

The possibilities for photo essays are truly endless – from the concepts you explore to the techniques you use and styles you apply.

Choose an idea, hone your unique perspective on it, then start applying the 9 simple steps from above. 

• The life of a plant or animal (your favorite species, a species living in your yard, etc)
• The many shapes of a single species (a tree species, a bird species, etc)
• How a place changes over time
• The various moods of a place
• A conservation issue you care about
• Math in nature
• Urban nature
• Seasonal changes
• Your yard as a space for nature
• Shifting climate and its impacts
• Human impacts on environments
• Elements: Water, wind, fire, earth
• Day in the life (of a person, a place, a stream, a tree…)
• Outdoor recreation (birding, kayaking, hiking, naturalist journaling…)
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Lunar cycles
• Sunlight and shadows
• Your local watershed
• Coexistence

As you zero in on a photo essay theme, consider two things: what most excites you about an idea, and what about it pushes you out of your comfort zone. The heady mix of joy and challenge will ensure you stick with it. 

Your photo essay is ready for the world! Decide how you’d like to make an impact with your work. You might use one or several of the options below.

1. Share it on your website

Create a gallery or a scrollytelling page on your website. This is a great way to drive traffic to your website where people can peruse your photo essay and the rest of the photography you have.

Putting it on your website and optimizing your images for SEO helps you build organic traffic and potentially be discovered by a broader audience, including photo editors.

2. Create a scrollytelling web page

If you enjoy the experience of immersive visual experiences, consider making one using your essay. And no, you don’t have to be a whiz at code to make it happen.

Shorthand helps you build web pages with scrollytelling techniques that make a big impression on viewers. Their free plan allows you to publish 3 essays or stories.

3. Create a Medium post

If you don’t have a website and want to keep things simple, a post on Medium is a great option.

Though it’s known for being a platform for bloggers, it’s also possible to add images to a post for a simple scroll.

And, because readers can discover and share posts, it’s a good place for your photos to get the attention of people who might not otherwise come across it.

4. Share it on Instagram

Instagram has changed a lot over the last couple of years, but it’s still a place for photographers to share their work thoughtfully.

There are at least 3 great ways to share your photo essay on the platform.

– Create a single post for each image. Add a caption. Publish one post per day until the full essay is on your feed. Share each post via Instagram Stories to bring more attention and interaction to your photo essay.

– Create a carousel post. You can add up 10 photos to a carousel post, so you may need to create two of them for your full photo essay. Or you might create a series of carousel posts using 3-4 images in each.

– Create a Reel featuring your images as a video.  The algorithm heavily favors reels, so turning your photo essay into a video experience can get it out to a larger audience.

I ran a “create a reel” challenge in my membership community. One member created a reel with her still images around a serious conservation issue. It gathered a ton of attention and landed her opportunities to share her message through YouTube and podcast interviews and publishing opportunities. Watch it here.

5. Exhibit it locally

Reach out to local galleries, cafes, pubs, or even the public library to see if they’re interested in hanging your photo essay for display. Many local businesses and organizations happily support the work of local artists.

6. Pitch your photo essay to publications

One of the best ways to reach an audience with your work is to get it published. Find publications that are a great fit for the theme and style of your photo essay, then pitch your essay for consideration. You gain a fantastic opportunity to share your work widely and can earn a paycheck at the same time.

Remember that if you want to get your photo essay published, you may want to hold back from sharing it publicly before you pitch it to publications.

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Photography for the Serious Amateur

How To Create a Memorable Photo Essay

• Published: March 17, 2007
• Updated: June 9, 2023
• In Photo Project

In this Photo Project, we are going to explore how you can develop “Photo Stories”, or “Photo Essays”. Being able to tell a visual story without too many words is an important part of your capacity as a visual storyteller, and one skill that I had to take time and effort to develop. There are a number of different skills that you can develop and fine tune as you conceptualize, write, and photograph these stories, and learning how to create an engaging Photo Essay is one skill that you will take a lifetime to develop. That’s a guarantee.

As you develop your style, and your voice you will find your own ways to document, interpret and display the topic that you want to speak about, but let’s start with some simple steps that almost anyone will find useful!

Table of Contents

What Are Photo Stories?

Photo Stories or photo essays are a sequence of photographs that tell a story by themselves when placed together. They aim to inform, educate and to invoke emotion and empathy in the viewer. They’re a form of documentary photojournalism, and you’ll see them frequently in magazines along with some text. One of my favourite sources of photo stories is National Geographic magazine. You can usually understand most of what the text is about simply by looking at the accompanying photographs. Of course, the content is gripping too, but for many people it is the photographs that make the magazine what it is.

How Can I Photograph a Photo Story?

Now, down to business. It’s easy to start making photo stories, but as you develop your skill, you’ll find that it can also be challenging. Here are a few guiding steps to help you get started with creating engaging Photo Essays.

Pick a Topic to Document in Your Photo Essay

You would start by choosing a topic, preferably something which is close to your heart and easy to access. Try doing something like “A day in the life of…” series for your family or just a series of photographs of something in your neighbourhood. This will get you in the mood for more challenging series…

You could then move on to more interesting time-based stories, like capturing certain buildings and their interiors over the passage of a day, or a year! The working of a local charity, featuring the key people behind it and the work that they do, the people their work benefits would make an impressive photo story. Here’s a decent attempt at capturing a Russian, Ilya, and the 44 disabled dogs that he cares for. The photo story is in Russian , but it could be in any language and not make much of a difference. The story is still there.

Don’t Feel Intimidated By The Task

Photo stories are most often seen in journalism and reportage of events as in this photo story about Riots in Dublin but there’s no reason why they can’t be used to tell interesting everyday stories too, like this “ Story of a parrot ” by Subhasish or Surreal stories like Xylonets ‘ “ If You Go Out to the Barn Tonight . . . You Better Not Go Alone ” and this one about the “ Modern Family ” by bihua .

Try To Capture Moments and Emotions

Remember that what you are trying to do is to capture the key moments that define what ever it is you are photographing. You can imagine that you’re capturing multiple slices of time that convey the story that you want to tell. Capture different types of images, portraits, action shots, sequences, establishing shots showing locations and environments. Don’t hold back, capture it all.

Among those shots, also try capturing a variety of emotions , good moments, sad moments, interactions between people, interactions between things – objects and places – and also capture some of the surroundings in these shots to convey some of the contextual information that can’t be put into words.

Essential skills that you’ll need will be good composition, a discerning eye for detail that could add meaning to the photograph and good communication skills (if your story is about people). But, worry not if this list sounds daunting, for we are all learning… That’s why I asked you to start with an easy topic, remember?

Creating photo-stories helps you to refine your skill in composition and portraiture, and if you’re doing something outdoors, maybe even your landscape skills. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules as long as you capture the essence of what you are trying to convey.

Get Familiar With Your Equipment

If you are intimately familiar with your equipment, you are free to focus your attention on the world around you, and the scenes that are unfolding around you all the time. That’s not to say that you should not pay attention to the technical aspects of photography… By all means, be aware of your exposure settings, and the aesthetics of the photograph that you’re trying to capture, but also be aware of your surroundings, and observant of what is about to happen next .

Edit Before You Show

In writing, an editor is a person who looks over your work, understands what it is about, and makes or suggests changes to make the piece more cohesive, understandable and polished. They may suggest that you add or remove content of the overall piece to be more understandable. You should do the same with your Photo Essay.

Once you have your photographs ready, look at them objectively and try to remove all the fluff . This is difficult as it requires you to put aside your own attachment to the images that you have just now captured so lovingly. However, removing extra images from the ones that you will eventually display makes the overall story more understandable, easier to take in, and quicker to get your message across.

If you feel that you have missed out an important part of the overall message, you may want to go back and take a few more photographs to complete your story.

Presenting Your Photo Story

The ideal old-world finish to the photo-story is to print your pictures out and paste them in a photo-book with larger pictures wherever you want to emphasise the photograph and to show some extra detail in it. You could also put together a multimedia presentation like this one made by the baltimore sun . These days, its not all that difficult to do. Otherwise you can just put them together in a folder on your computer and number them 001, 002, and so on so that they are displayed in order when seen with a slide show software. [TIP:] The two zeros in front of numerals zero to nine ensure that they are not displayed just before ten and twenty.

Remember that your work needs a title and a short introduction to set the stage. After that, let the images speak for themselves.

Each time you create a photo essay, you will learn more, and it will be come an easier process as you become more adept at knowing what you’re trying to achieve with each photograph. But each step forward will most likely also show you a few more steps down your journey. There is so much to learn on the way to your destination.

Share Your Work With Us

We’d love to see your work! Feel free to tag us on Instagram , and use the hashtag #BPTprojects . I encourage other members of the BPT community to offer their thoughts in a constructive manner so that we can all grow together. Remember to be kind, and generous with your critique.

You can also leave a link to your photo-essay in the comments down below.

Challenge Yourself with More Photo Projects

If you’re interested in more photo projects, check out the other Photo Projects that we already have, ready for you at the Photo Project page . Get into the game and continue to develop your eye, with more projects like this.

Thank you for reading this, and we hope that you have a great deal of fun working on your first photo-essay.

Help Us To Continue Creating

Get our email newsletter to stay up-to-date with our latest posts. It’s easy to read and is mailed once in 2 weeks.

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Some of the links to products on this website are affiliate links, and we only ever link out to gear that we recommend.

You could also show your appreciation by buying us a coffee . Finally, we appreciate you being a part of the community, so do say hi!

• Susheel Chandradhas

Susheel Chandradhas is a Product Photographer and Filmmaker based in India. He has been taking photographs (almost) all his life. He has a diploma and a bachelors degree in Visual Communication, where his classmates all believed that he would write a book on photography... Instead, he writes on this website (because - isn't a community more fun?).

His passions include photography, parkour, wide-angle lenses, blue skies, fire extinguishers, and fast computers.

In addition to writing for Beyond Photo Tips, Susheel is a staff writer for Fstoppers.com , and owns and runs ColoursAlive, a photography, and video production studio.

You can connect with Susheel on Twitter , Instagram , or LinkedIn .

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Hey, thanks for this brilliant idea! I’ve started Bullet Journalling and photo stories will be the perfect way to supplement what I write. I’ll report back when I’m done! 😀

I’m sure everyone here would love to see some of your photo stories, if they aren’t too personal, of course. We have a group on Flickr, so if you’re up for it you can upload to Flickr, and share your stories in the group. https://www.flickr.com/groups/beyondphototips/

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Android Police

Moto razr+ 2024 leaked in real life images with new color option.

Live photos give us our best look yet at Motorola's next foldable

• The latest Motorola Razr+ (2024) leak reveals minor design updates but keeps the beloved clamshell style and large secondary screen intact.
• New color options of blue, orange, and green are rumored, along with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage under the hood.
• Differing model numbers from past reports seem to indicate regional variations. Expect a launch next month based on certification listings.

Earlier this year, we were fortunate to witness the first significant leak of the Motorola Razr+ (2024). The accuracy of the renders was striking, and now, we have the privilege of sharing new live images of the device that have surfaced on 91mobiles . These exclusive images provide a detailed view of the front and back of the device, leaving very little to the imagination.

Moto Razr+ (2023) review: My new favorite foldable

The images arrive courtesy of tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore , and based on these shots, we can agree that Motorola hasn’t made any major changes to this device. We still get to enjoy a large secondary screen with a dual camera setup and a clamshell design that’s still perfect for those who want a smaller, more portable, foldable phone.

A familiar look with a splash of new color options

The back panel is also rumored to have three color options to choose from, including blue, orange, and green. Further, the publication suggests that the new Razr model number XT-24510-3 will come with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage space under the hood, which don’t match the internals listed with the XT-2453-3 model that surfaced back in January. These specifications differ from the XT-2453-3 model that surfaced in January, indicating the possibility of regional variations or the potential for more storage.

These images aren’t the best if you’re looking to spot every single detail, but we can easily spot what could be the power button and what seems to be the volume rocker on the right side of the device. This would make it practical if Motorola plans on embedding a side-mounted fingerprint scanner on the device.

In any case, Motorola will most likely launch this new device soon, as the Motorola Razr+ has already appeared on the Eurasian Economic Commission, Bureau of Indian Standards, and other certification sites. We believe the company might launch this new phone next month, as it would align with the month it launched the current iteration of the Moto Razr+.

I ditched my iPhone 15 Pro Max for a retro refurbished instant camera, and it’s now one of my favorite gadgets ever

D espite taking dozens of pictures on my iPhone 15 Pro Max on an average day, I’ve always loved the novelty of printed images. I bought my first instant camera for cheap from Urban Outfitters when I was in college, and since then, I’ve amassed quite the collection of printed photos meant to replicate the product Polaroid popularized in the 1970s. 

But I recently learned about Retrospekt, a company that actually sells the very Polaroid SX-70 camera that made instant photography mainstream. While Polaroid itself sells refurbished SX-70s, they’re perpetually out of stock. Alternatively, Retrospeck has 16 different SX-70 styles available to shop now starting from $379 and going up to $999 for a special gold-plated version.

Now, I’m no vintage camera aficionado, but I wasn’t going to miss the chance to see what my print-out photos might’ve looked like 50 years ago, though. My order arrived in a box that looked quite modern, but what I discovered inside was anything but. Retrospekt reconstructed the camera to verify it works properly, cleaned all the components, and refurbished the exterior so that it looks completely true to original form. 

Polaroid SX-70 Original Instant Camera: $379 @ Retrospekt This refurbished SX-70 has been deconstructed and reconstructed to work as good as new. The classic Chrome finish looks *so* retro.

In some ways operating the camera felt familiar to the current instant cameras I use. It has a shutter button, focus dial, exposure adjustment and viewfinder to squint through. In other ways, the SX-70 is unlike any other tech gadget I’ve used in my 27 years of life. Opening it requires a degree of delicate touch I’ve only exercised for when I tried Apple Vision Pro for the first time. It almost feels like one wrong tug could cause it to disintegrate in my hands. Luckily, I found an entire Reddit thread dedicated to the proper open and closing form of this specific instant camera.

Once I trusted myself to not break this very beautiful camera, I took it to the park with me to meet a big group of friends for an afternoon picnic. I pulled it out of my tote bag proudly, and it quickly became the center of attention. No one in my posse had ever seen a vintage camera quite like the SX-70, and certainly not a functional one.

"I was left with a collection of images that belonged on a Pinterest board"

I loaded in a pack of Polaroid Color 600 Film that goes for about $20 per 8 photos, refreshed myself with Retrospekt’s streamlined user manual, and started snapping away. It took me a few tries to lean the proper exposure settings for outdoors, but all my pictures still came out looking totally retro — in the aesthetic way my generation can’t get enough of, of course. Running though the film pack quickly, I was left with a collection of images that belonged on a Pinterest board.

Sure, I suppose I could just buy one of those iPhone apps that retro-fies everything with a filter to get a similar result. But that would take away the physical satisfaction and instant gratification of pressing that big red shutter button on the front of the SX-70 to extract a printed image. When I take pictures with my iPhone, I take at least 10 at a time, knowing there’s no consequences with not getting them all right. With this instant camera, I slowed down to take my pictures with intention, not wanting to waste even a single precious piece of film. 

Due to the price of film and lingering concerns of fragility, the SX-70 can’t come with me everywhere and take all of my photos. But for times when I can walk away with physical memories (what can I say? I’m a sucker for mementos) this is one of the most enjoyable gadgets to have in tow.

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