EVERY photo needs a caption

Some tips: Answer the who, what, where, when, why and how of the photo. Think about what simple, concise word(s) will explain the action in the photo. Build the caption by starting with most powerful verb that comes to mind. Add in powerful nouns, preferably in front of the verb. Using those nouns and verbs, write the facts that tell what is special in the photo. Use active voice and conversational tone. Use the caption to refer to the text or story. Don’t repeat what’s in the headline. Identify key people. Don’t state the obvious or attribute emotions unless it is beyond doubt that is how the person is feeling. Answer questions that set the stage for the story.

Who: Sam Brown What: Smells a bright yellow sunflower Where: MSU 4-H Children’s Garden When: morning of Tuesday, Aug. 7 Why: Was participating in book day at the Children’s Garden How: Attended with his mother Kathy and listened to 8th grade volunteers read books. DO NOT WRITE: Looks happy, is thrilled to, is content to…

Verbs: Smell, smashed, leans into Nouns: Nose, eyes, hat, boy, sunflower Adjectives: vibrant yellow, shaded eyes With his summer cap shading his eyes, Sam Brown, 3, of East Lansing smells a sunflower after listening to stories during Book Day Tuesday at the MSU 4-H Children’s Garden.

Yearbook captions: First sentence -- active voice, present tense Second sentence -- past tense giving more information about an event Third sentence -- a quote from somebody in the photo With a summer cap shading his eyes, Sam Brown, 3, of East Lansing smells a sunflower. Brown had been listening to stories Aug. 7 read by 8th grade volunteers during Book Day at the MSU 4-H Children’s Garden. “The flowers didn’t smell good,” Brown said. “But I really like them.”