How to Write a Caption in ZUMA Press Style

How to caption a photo in ZUMA Press style

A ZUMA Press caption is easy to spot. It opens with a normal-looking date and city, then the athlete’s name is ALL CAPS. The rest of the sentence feels close to AP.

The ZUMA Press Wire caption formula

Exact formula

{Month Day}, {YYYY}, {City}, {State}, {Country}: {who} → {what they are doing} → {the league game} → {venue in the city} (Credit Image: © Photographer/Agency via ZUMA Press Wire)

One sentence after that opener, usually 20 to 35 words.

Example Caption

November 4, 2025, Lexington, Kentucky, USA: Kentucky Wildcats guard COLLIN CHANDLER (5) stands ready during an NCAA college basketball game against the Nicholls Colonels at Rupp Arena in Lexington. (Credit Image: © Photographer/Agency via ZUMA Press Wire)

Example Caption

June 1, 2024, London, England: England midfielder JUDE BELLINGHAM (10) controls the ball during a UEFA Champions League soccer match against Spain at Wembley Stadium in London. (Credit Image: © Photographer/Agency via ZUMA Press Wire)

Photographer credit

ZUMA Press Wire usually ends the caption with a parenthetical Credit Image line: copyright mark, photographer, contributing agency when there is one, then via ZUMA Press Wire. Partner or handout frames may credit an organization instead of a person.

Typical pattern: (Credit Image: © Photographer/Agency via ZUMA Press Wire)

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

Keep the team and position in regular type. Put only the person’s name in ALL CAPS: Kentucky Wildcats guard COLLIN CHANDLER (5). Coaches get the same treatment: head coach MARK POPE.

The number goes in parentheses. Do not write #5.

Date and place

The leader holds the date in title case: November 4, 2025. Do not repeat the date in the body.

The leader spells the state or province in full when there is one, then the country of the game. The body may add “at Rupp Arena in Lexington” but should not repeat the state or country.

The league game

Name the league with an indefinite article, like AP: “during an NCAA college basketball game.” If players from only one team are mentioned, add the other team with “against.” If players from both teams are already mentioned, do not add either team name again. Use “between” for coaches, fans, and other non-player subjects.

Write the caption in four steps

Write the leader: Month Day, YYYY, City, State, Country:
Name the subject with team, position, ALL CAPS name, and (number).
Add “during an [league] game,” then against, between, or neither.
Close with the venue and city only. Leave date, state, and country out of the body.

Frequently asked questions about the ZUMA Press Wire caption style

How do you write a caption in ZUMA Press style?

Start with Month Day, YYYY, City, State, Country:. Then write the team and position in normal case, the name in ALL CAPS, the action, the league game phrase, and the venue in the city. Skip the state when the country does not use one.

Why are names capitalized in a Zuma caption?

ZUMA Press Wire sets athlete and coach names in ALL CAPS so the subject scans quickly on a wire. Team names and positions stay in regular title case.

When do you add the other team after the league game phrase?

If players from only one team are named, add the opponent with “against.” If players from both teams are already named, leave the matchup out. Use “between” for coaches, fans, and other non-player subjects.

Does ZUMA repeat the date at the end of the caption?

No. The date belongs in the leader. The body should not repeat the date, the state, or the country.