how to write cutlines

A cutline should include the following elements of the photo:

  • Who is in the photo
  • What is happening
  • Where the photo shows
  • When the photo captures
  • Why the people were there; the action occurred; the situation is important; etc.
  • How things came to be.

For accessibility, consider using adjectives when describing as you might do for an image description.

The caption may also include a quote.

Captions are in present tense, complete sentences, and should be limited to less than three sentences, except when there is a compelling reason.

The following is an example.

Woman in a medical mask holding a sign at a Boston protest that says, I'm sick of this shit class=Photo by Stacy Kess
An unidentified protestor wearing a blue medical mask at the April 5 Boston #HandsOff protest against the Trump Administration looks up at news helicopters flying over the marchers on Tremont Street. She, like many marchers, made her own sign, which read I’m sick of this shit written in all capital letters on a plain white poster board.
The march, which wound its way to Beacon Hill and to Government Center, attracted more than 100,000 people.

In this example:

  • Who: A protester
  • What: The Boston #HandsOff protest
  • When: April 5
  • Where: Boston
  • Why: Protest against the Trump Administration
  • Accessible detail: Protester in a blue mask
  • Accessible detail: Sign reads I’m sick of this shit
  • Additional detail: Protest attracted more than 100,000 people
Accessibility