Press Release Tip 60

How to write photo captions

Write your own captions for photos you send to the media and share on social media. This will increase the chances of an accurate caption. And you’ll be making the media’s job easy. Here are some quick guidelines for writing captions:

• Identify people in the photo from left to right.
• Say where the photo was taken.
• Write a one- or two-word description of the action.
• Make sure all names are spelled correctly.
• Write in the present tense. Example: “Second-grader Timmy Smith swings at the T-ball while his classmate, Brady Turner, waits his turn.”
• Don’t use phony verbs that say the person is doing one thing when all they’re really doing is posing. Don’t use “poses,” “stands,” “is shown,” “is pictured,” “looks,” “smiles,” or “shakes hands.”
• Don’t state the obvious. If the photo shows Jane Smith waving, don’t say “Jane Smith waves good-bye.” Instead, add some information such as where she’s going and when she’ll be back.

These two excellent free resources will help you write better captions:

The Nine Commandments of Good Caption Writing

Hot Tips for Writing Photo Captions

Opportunity #60 to write a press release: Your position on a public issue

Take a stand on a public issue and write a press release. Read your local newspaper to see what your town, city, county or state is doing. Or take a stand on a federal or international issue. But don’t just write a press release. Offer your commentary to reporters who are writing about the issue. See Special Report #35: How to be the Local Angle to National Stories.”

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Next: How to use an audio file.