Writing the caption/cutline:

Write in present tense – unless you are giving additional facts not contained in the photo.

Don’t tell the obvious – Let the photo tell the story.

Don’t editorialize – you don’t know whether a person is happy, glum or troubled. Let the picture show the reader.

Omit references to the photo – “is pictured” or “is shown”

Use “from left” not “left to right”

Say when the photo was taken, and if it is not recent, give the date.

Don’t explain how the photo was taken – unless the photo is exceptional.

Check accuracy:

Check spellings of all names. For example, check against spellings in the news story.

Check the names against the people in the photo. For example, make sure you identify a male person with a male name.

Make sure the caption describes the object in the photo accurately. For example, if there’s a sign of a business, make sure the name of the business in the caption matches that on the sign.

The caption describes the event as shown in the picture, not the event itself. Don’t describe action the readers can’t see.

Give full information. For example, identify people with full names. Give ages if kids or if the ages are relevant.

Give credit to the photographer

Give location

Use cutheads or catchlines for standalone photos

Watch the mood for the photo