Preparing Photo Captions
Adapted from the Poynter Institute, the The New York
Times and the AP Style Guide.
Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, N.J., are old hands
at text messaging, but not all of the words are friendly.
By Jan Hoffman
Published: June 27, 2010
Photo Caption

A short sentence or two that describes a
photograph or illustration within a page
layout.

Also called a cutline.
Why use photo captions?

Photo captions are an integral part of storytelling,
but they are often the most underdeveloped
element in the mix of words, graphics, and
photographs.

Captions are second only to headlines as the most
read copy in newspapers and other media.

A poorly executed caption can destroy the message
of a photo.

The reader/viewer expects nothing less than
◦ accurate, complete, and informative information, including
captions .
Reader Behavior

Reader looks briefly at the photo.
◦ Subtle aspects of the photo may not register

When interest is sparked the reader will
typically look for the photo explanation
(caption/cutline).

After reading the caption the reader goes
back to the photo for a second look.
How do you write a good caption?

Include the main elements by answering the
following.
◦ AP Style suggests identifying the
Who,What,Where,When,Why, How
◦ Who is that?
◦
◦
◦
◦
 (And, in most cases, identify people from left to right unless
the action in the photograph demands otherwise.)
What is going on?
Where and when was this?
Why is this important or significant?
How did this occur?
Writing the Caption

First Sentence: Who and What, Where and When!
◦ Who and What the photo shows (in present tense)
◦ Where and When of the photo

Second Sentence: Why and/or How
◦ Why… is the photo significant
◦ AND/OR
◦ How: Gives the background on the event
Example of a Standard AP Caption

The Mississippi River flows
through a hole in the Sny
Island, Ill., levee, flooding
farmland and homes 10
miles south of Quincy, Ill.,
Sunday, July 25, 1993.
About 2,000 people were
evacuated from the 44,000
acres that flooded. (AP
Photo/Bill Waugh)
Read the following captions and
determine if the caption is good,
okay or poor based on AP style.
Poor Caption

Fresh meats are
stocked at the grocery
store.
Good Caption
John Mueller prepares Nancy’s
Pride for the Grimes County
4-H Horse judging contest.
The judging contest is held
annually during the Grimes
County fair.
Okay Caption

Oatka Dairy has been
owned by the Butler
family for three
generations. This fall
the dairy will close
because of low milk
prices.
Hot Tips

Check the facts. Be accurate!

Don't assume.

Avoid stating the obvious.
◦ Ask questions in your effort to inform and be specific.
◦ Be willing to contact and include the subject.
◦ Ask for correct spelling of names.
◦ "Dennis Rodman smiles as he kicks a broadcast
photographer in the groin.“ Provide useful
information.

Always identify the main people in the photograph.
Hot Tips

Use present tense when possible.

Don't try to be humorous when the picture is not.

Use commas to set off directions from the captions
to the picture.
◦ “George Wardlow, above,..."or
◦ “Casandra Cox, upper left,..."

Conversational language works best.
◦ Don't use clichés.
◦ Write the caption as if you're telling a family member a
story.
Hot Tips

Avoid making judgments.
◦ "An unhappy citizen watches the protest...”.
◦ If you must be judgmental, be sure you seek the truth.

Avoid using terms like "is shown, is pictured, and looks
on."

Include dates for historic or file photos,
◦ Mayor David Dinkins, 1993.
Review
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