Style Guide

Purpose

This Style Guide is the day-to-day reference for writing captions and credits at Nexpher Images. It draws on widely used wire caption practice and adapts it for our visual journalism file.

Integrity rules, including image manipulation, staging, verification, and social media conduct, live in our Editorial Standards. Use this guide for how to write, use Standards for what is allowed.

Caption Formula

Nexpher captions follow a two-part structure. Almost every publishable caption uses this order.

First sentence (required)

In the present tense, describe what is in the image, then the date, then the location. These elements are mandatory. A caption is incomplete without all of them.

• What: Who is pictured and what is happening, the visible action or scene
• Date: Capture date in full form (for example, November 3, 2026), not when the file was transmitted
• Location: Most specific place first, then city, state/province when needed, then country (see Places and Dates)

Second sentence (context)

• Follow with a second sentence that explains why the moment matters or adds verified background
• Keep most captions to two concise sentences. Add a third only when complex context is essential
• Some sports action frames and routine ongoing coverage may not need a second sentence
• Attribute action or facts not visible in the frame (for example, casualties at a crash scene, according to police)

Names and Titles

• List identified people left to right unless another order is needed for the caption to read normally
• When naming more than one person, include enough placement cues so each identity is clear (for example, "from left" or "right")
• Give title or role on first reference when it helps the reader (mayor, coach, CEO, senator)
• Spell every proper name carefully, verify against official sources or the assignment brief
• If a person cannot be identified, say so when that fact matters ("an unidentified protester") rather than inventing a name
• In large groups, identify only the newsworthy people unless the assignment requires a full list

Places and Dates

Stack location from most specific to broadest. Pattern: on [Month Day, Year] in [Venue or neighbourhood], [City], [State/Province], [Country].

• Prefer a specific location: venue or neighbourhood when known, then city, then state/province when needed, then country
• United States: City, State, United States (always include the state; spell out United States)
• Canada / Australia: City, Province/State, Country
• United Kingdom / Ireland: City, England/Scotland/Wales/ Northern Ireland, or City, Ireland, keep Northern Ireland distinct
• Most other countries: City, Country (always attach the country; do not leave a famous city bare)
• Use near only when the exact spot cannot be verified. Avoid vague words such as "recently," "earlier," or "here"
• Use the date the photograph was made, not the filing or publish time. Write dates in full month form: on November 3, 2026 in [Location]
• Archive images used with a current story begin with FILE PHOTO - at the front of the caption and state the original capture date
• If the date is unknown, say so clearly rather than guessing

Samples: Oakland, California, United States; London, England; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Tokyo Station, Tokyo, Japan.

Contested and Special Places

Precise and neutral filing labels only — not a sovereignty statement. Ordinary City, Country stacks are under Places and Dates. Do not use the location line to recognize or reject a claim. If contested status must be mentioned, put sourced context in a second sentence.

Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau

• Use: Taipei, Taiwan. Avoid: Taipei, China
• Use: Hong Kong. Avoid: Hong Kong, China
• Use: Macau. Avoid: Macau, China

Middle East

• Use: Gaza City, Gaza Strip
• Use: Ramallah, West Bank
• Use: Palestinian territories when referring to both areas together
• Use: East Jerusalem when specificity matters; do not treat Jerusalem lines as a capital statement

Europe and other special places

• Use: Simferopol, Crimea. Avoid: attaching Ukraine or Russia in the location string
• Use: Belfast, Northern Ireland vs Dublin, Ireland
• Use: Pristina, Kosovo; Falkland Islands; Western Sahara (clearest geographic label)

When unsure, ask a senior editor before filing. Staff and authenticated contributors should use the fuller grouped checklist in the internal IFS Style Guide.

Voice and Tense

• Present tense for what is visible in the image
• Past tense for events that happened before or after the moment shown, or for sourced background
• Write complete, concise sentences in plain English
• Do not claim what someone is thinking or feeling
• Do not editorialize with words such as dramatic, tragic, stunning, or historic unless quoting a source
• Do not hype scale or outcome beyond what is verified
• Contentious facts (death tolls, blame, disputed claims) must be attributed

Numbers, Punctuation, and Spelling

• Spell out numbers one through nine in most narrative uses, use numerals for 10 and above, ages, percentages, scores, and money
• Ages: use numerals (for example, 7, 42)
• Prefer numerals for addresses, dates, times, and sports scores
• Use quotation marks for spoken words or clearly visible text when quoting a sign or slogan, do not invent quotes
• Double-check spelling of people, places, teams, companies, and titles before filing
• Prefer the official English spelling used by the subject or authority when multiple romanizations exist, be consistent across the package

Credits

Every image carries a clear credit. Photographer classifications and full credit formats are defined in Editorial Standards, Photographer Classifications.

• Staff: [Name] / Staff
• Stringer: [Name] / Stringer
• Contributor: [Name] / Contributor
• Partner: [Name or Org] / [Partner] via Nexpher Images
• Credit must match the photographer's official name on file and must not be cropped or obscured

Special Labels

Use the labels below in captions and credits when required. Full labeling and staging rules are in Editorial Standards.

Required front prefixes

Put these labels at the very front of the caption when they apply, before the first sentence.

• FILE PHOTO -: Required at the front of archive images used with a current story. Keep the original capture date in the first sentence, note publish/reuse context in the second sentence when needed
• SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB -: Required at the front when the image contains graphic violence, death, serious injury, or other material that may offend or disturb. Use only with a valid news reason and senior editorial approval as set out in Editorial Standards
• If both apply, put SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB - first, then FILE PHOTO -, then the caption body

Other labels

• Handout: Identify the source organization, do not rely on the word "handout" alone
• Pool: Credit the photographer and note pool distribution
• Illustration / photo illustration: Label clearly when the image is not a straight news photograph
• Escorted or controlled access: State when the image was made on an organised or escorted visit
• Photo opportunity: Caption so readers understand the action is not a spontaneous news moment when subjects pose or perform for cameras
• Specialty technique: Disclose multiple exposures, time-lapse, or specialty lenses when they materially affect how the image is read

Do / Don’t

Do

• Answer who, what, where, when, and why when needed
• Use present tense for the visible action
• Attribute facts and action not seen in the frame
• Stay reachable until the desk publishes your work
• Anticipate what a customer or reader still needs to know

Don’t

• Don't use empty phrases such as "looks on," "is pictured," or "poses for the camera" unless the pose is the point and must be disclosed
• Don't assume thoughts, motives, or off-camera events
• Don't editorialize or sensationalize
• Don't leave names, places, or dates vague when they are known
• Don't file a caption you cannot defend if challenged

Examples

Original Nexpher Styles examples. Adapt structure and precision. Do not copy unrelated wire captions.

Related Policies

• Editorial Standards, integrity, staging, labeling, verification
• Editorial Policy, mission and process framework
• Corrections Policy, how we fix caption and credit errors
• Ethics Guidelines, ethical decision-making