Writing Assignment #4 Write About A Photo

Write a short story about a photo

In any successful storybook or book destined for bedtime stories it's crucial to give the reader the ability to focus and add on to stories. Photos are a great mechanism to create a place on a page that encourages storytelling and discussion. 

Grab any photo with a few people in it that is likely to be in your book (other than an iconic image that's likely to be on your cover or on a full page spread). Write a caption or cut-line. Don't write about the actual photograph print unless there is actually a story about that photograph...like it's the only one to survive a fire or a flood or something notable. Instead write about The Five W's: Who, Where, When, What, and Why.  Write a bold headline for the photo that could be printed above the image.

Firstly identify the people. The standard method for identifying people in a group photo is [L-R]. That is from left to right. I tend to start in the back row and work from left to right. Use full names with our without relational titles like Grandfather or Grandmother because those only relate to a few people in your audience. 

Take a guess at a date for the event in the photo. If you're not sure you can be vague and say "Circa 1930s"  or "Spring 1945" or "late 19th century". 

Here's a great article from the International Journalist' Network about how to write a caption. I agree with everything they say except the part about editorializing. Since this is your book feel free to write whatever you want!

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