Photography is a fantastic way to capture moments, express creativity, and explore the world around us. This B2-level lesson introduces students to various photography genres and helps them develop the vocabulary they need to discuss these styles (and many others!) confidently.
I put together this lesson inspired by my conversations with a student who is expanding her photography career. As she develops her style, we often discuss different photography genres to help her refine her approach. Photography is such a broad field – from capturing urban life to documenting wildlife or showcasing products. This lesson builds on those discussions, with reading and speaking activities designed to expand vocabulary and get students talking about their interests in photography.
Just scroll down to grab the presentation and worksheet for this class.
Warmer: Photography Preferences
Start the lesson by encouraging students to share their personal experiences with photography by asking them the following questions:
- Do you like taking photos?
- What kind of photos do you usually take?
- What makes a good photograph?
These simple questions help to activate students’ background knowledge and get them thinking about their own photography experiences. Once students have shared their answers with the whole class, move on to the first activity.
Matching: Photography Genres
Introduce students to the concept of photography genres by showing them a set of photographs that represent various styles: portrait, landscape, wildlife, architectural, street, and travel photography. Students match the photos with their correct genres. This helps them get familiar with the vocabulary before getting into more detailed descriptions. Play along and check if you can match the photographs to their genres!
Reading: Understanding Photography Styles
Provide students with short descriptions of different photography genres and let them check their answers from the matching exercise. I thought it’d be cool to use a bunch of images along with the descriptions, so I looked at what’s already out there on Wikipedia. With some help from ChatGPT, I simplified the descriptions from a C1 level to a B2 level. Going over these descriptions will help students see what makes each genre stand out. Plus, it could spark a fun conversation about photos that fit into more than one category – like the Afghan Girl, which could be seen as both a portrait and travel photo. As a group, brainstorm some other ideas!
Speaking: Discussing Photography Genres
Now that students have a good grasp of the vocabulary, it’s time to get them talking! Ask them to discuss the following questions:
- Which type(s) of photography mentioned in class today interest you the most? Why?
- Which of them are the most challenging? Why?
- Have you ever tried any of these photography genres? What was your experience like?
This speaking activity allows students to personalize the vocabulary and make connections with their own interests.
Brainstorming: Lesser-Known Photography Genres
Expand the discussion by asking students to think about lesser-known types of photography. Examples could include astrophotography, underwater photography, fashion photography, event photography, or macro photography. Have students write down their answers and share them with the group.
Finish the lesson with a discussion about what skills or techniques are required for each type of photography and the challenges photographers might face. This is a great way to consolidate vocabulary and build students’ confidence in speaking about photography.
This B2 Photography Genres Lesson offers a comprehensive introduction to photography genres while encouraging plenty of student interaction. If you’re looking for a practical B2-level speaking and reading lesson on photography, grab the materials below and give it a go, or check out the next lesson plan on Essential Camera Gear.
Have you ever taught a lesson on photography? What did your students think of it?
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