How to Caption a Photo in Getty Images Style

How to caption a photo in Getty Images style

A Getty Images caption starts with the city in capitals, then names the athlete as “Name #Number of the Team.” There is no position and, on a normal game, no NCAA or NBA label.

The Getty Images caption formula

Exact formula

{CITY}, {STATE or COUNTRY} - {MONTH DAY}: {who} → {what they are doing} → {during the game} → {venue} → {full date} → {city and place} (Photo by Photographer Name/Getty Images)

One sentence after the dateline, often 25 to 55 words.

Example Caption

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 04: Collin Chandler #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats stands ready during the game against the Nicholls Colonels at Rupp Arena on November 4, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Photographer Name/Getty Images)

Example Caption

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 01: Jude Bellingham #10 of England controls the ball during the game against Spain at Wembley Stadium on June 1, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Photographer Name/Getty Images)

Photographer credit

Getty usually ends the caption with a parenthetical “Photo by” credit: photographer, a slash, then Getty Images. Partner shoots may read Photographer/Collection via Getty Images.

Typical pattern: (Photo by Photographer Name/Getty Images)

Outlets that use this caption style may still want a different photographer credit. Match the credit format your editor or client specifies — it can differ from the wire’s usual line even when the body of the caption matches.

How to write the name

Put the person first, then a hash and number, then the team: Collin Chandler #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats. Leave the position out.

Say “of the” when the team has a nickname. Skip “the” for a bare school or a one-word country (“of Westmont,” “of Germany”). If two teammates are listed together, put “of the Team” after the last name in that group.

The usual Getty look is #5. Some desks want (5) instead. Sideline has both presets. The rest of the sentence stays the same.

Date and place

The dateline uses an ALL CAPS month and a 2-digit day: OCTOBER 26 or NOVEMBER 04. The sentence then repeats the full date after the venue: on October 26, 2025.

Open with CITY, STATE in capitals for U.S. games, or CITY, COUNTRY abroad (LONDON, ENGLAND). Close the sentence with the venue, then the spelled-out city and state or country even if the dateline already named them.

During the game

For domestic games write “during the game,” not the NCAA or NBA label. If players from only one team are mentioned, add the other team with “against” (“during the game against the Nicholls Colonels”). If players from both teams are already mentioned, do not add either team name again there — just “during the game.” For World Cup and similar events, write “during the [event] match.”

Write the caption in four steps

Write the dateline: CITY, STATE - MONTH DAY: in the U.S., or CITY, COUNTRY abroad.
Name visible players as Name #Number of the Team, primary subject first.
Describe the action. Use “during the game,” and add “against [opponent]” only when one side’s players are named.
Finish with venue, full date, and city and state or country spelled out.

Frequently asked questions about the Getty Images caption style

How do you write a caption in Getty Images style?

Start with CITY, STATE - MONTH DAY: in the U.S., or CITY, COUNTRY abroad. Then write Name #Number of the Team, the action, “during the game,” the venue, the full date, and the city and place again.

Does Getty style include position or league?

No position, and no league name on ordinary club or college games. Write “during the game.” International tournaments can name the event.

When do you add the other team after “during the game”?

If players from only one team are named, add the opponent (“during the game against the Nicholls Colonels”). If players from both teams are already named in the sentence, leave the opponent out.

What is the difference between Getty hash and Getty parentheses?

The sentence is the same. One preset uses #5 and the other uses (5). Pick the one your editor already files.