Combine Photos or Drawings with Stories

A photo or drawing can make a story stronger — but only when the writer chooses it on purpose. A good image points the reader to a real moment in the story. A good caption tells the reader why that image matters. Together, image and caption work like a tiny window into the story: the picture shows the moment, the caption tells the meaning, and the words around them carry the action.

Choosing an Image That Matches the Story

1. Pick ONE specific story moment, not the whole story. ("The muddy boots after the hike," not "our trip.")
2. Ask: does this image show that exact moment, or something general? Skip generic stock photos that could fit any story.
3. Prefer your own photo or drawing whenever possible — it is usually more specific and always free to use.
4. If you cannot get a real photo, sketch it. A simple drawing of the actual moment beats a perfect photo of the wrong thing.

Writing a Caption That Adds Meaning

• Weak caption: just describes what is already visible. ("A photo of muddy boots.") The reader can already see that.
• OK caption: adds a fact or detail. ("My boots after a six-mile hike.") Useful, but flat.
• Strong caption: adds meaning or emotion. ("Tired feet, but worth every step.") Now the reader feels something.
• Aim for the STRONG level: the caption should answer "why does this image matter to the story?"
• Keep captions short — usually one sentence, sometimes two. They are not paragraphs.

Where to Place the Image

• Place the image NEAR the part of the story it supports — not three paragraphs away. The reader should hit the words and the picture at almost the same time.
• Do not put every image at the very top. The top is for the title and the opening sentence, not for a photo dump.
• Leave the caption directly below (or beside) the image so the reader sees them as a pair.
• One strong image per story moment is plenty. Five weak images are worse than one strong one.

Credits and Copyright Basics

• If you took the photo or drew the picture yourself, you can use it. Add a small line: "Photo by me" or "Drawing by [your name]."
• If you found the image online, you cannot just copy it. Most images on the internet have a copyright owner.
• Look for images marked "Creative Commons" or "public domain" — these are free to use if you give credit.
• Always write a credit line: "Photo by [name], from [source]." Giving credit is honest, and it is the rule.
• If you are unsure, sketch your own version. A simple drawing is always safe.