Use the present tense so that the reader will identify your description with something that is happening today
and not sometime in the past. This brings a sense of immediacy and impact.

Try to use language that is conversational and ‘real.’ Pretend you are telling a story to a friend or family member.

Do not use phrases such as “in the picture” or “the photograph shows.” They are not needed and prevent the
reader from feeling and being a part of a photograph.

If possible, use a hook. Hooks are often based on humor, something surprising to the viewer, and/or appeals to
emotion that truly get a person’s attention. Whenever your words draw the viewer into the story created
by the photo, you increase the likelihood that the message will be remembered.

Provide a reason for the viewer to care about what you photographed. What is the challenge? How would the
community improve if the situation was recognized and addressed? How would it benefit people in the
community? How would it benefit people not in the community? This could be one of the most important
elements of the combined photo/caption story for a photovoice project. After all, sparking action is what photovoice
is all about!