creative writing based on a picture

70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing (with Free Slides)

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Visual writing prompts help young writers generate new ideas and overcome writer’s block. We’ve put together 70 picture prompts for creative writing that you can use in your writing centers or lesson plans to get your students’ creative juices flowing.

Picture Writing Prompts for All Ages

Writers of all ages and experience levels can get stuck thinking about what to write. Writer’s block is not just a challenge for reluctant writers. Even professional writers have days when they feel less than inspired.

Visual prompts can result in a vast array of story ideas. A single image viewed by ten writers will result in ten completely different stories. Even if you use verbal cues to get students thinking about the picture, each student will still write a unique response to the image.

Visual creative writing prompts are fantastic for elementary school because younger students often relate more to a pictorial prompt than a written one, but don’t shy away from using these with high school and middle school students as well. Pictures make a fun alternative to your typical writing prompts and story starters and can help shake up your regular routine.

How to Use Picture Prompts for Creative Writing

There’s no limit to the ways you can use writing prompts. Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate image prompts into your weekly lesson plans .

• Writing Center. Print cards or writing pages with these images on them and put them in a writing center for your students to discover at their own pace.
• Specific Skills. Use story picture prompts to help kids work on specific writing skills. For example, you could work on descriptive writing by having them describe the setting of the picture in detail. Or you could work on character development by having them make up a history for a person in a picture.
• Warm-up Activity: You could pop the pictures into Google slides and project an image on a screen or whiteboard for the first fifteen minutes of class and have students work on a short story as soon as they enter the class.

No matter how you decide to use them—whether at home or in the classroom—photographic writing prompts are a great way to cultivate a daily writing habit and encourage kids to explore new topics.

70 Pictures for Writing Prompts

We’ve selected 70 of the most interesting pictures we could find for this exercise. When choosing photos for writing prompts, we look for high-quality photos with intriguing subject matter, but we try to go beyond that. We want to share images that suggest a story, that make the viewer ask questions and wonder why things are the way they are.

We want to feel propelled to explore questions like, What happened before the photo that led to this moment? What are we witnessing in this photo? What’s about to happen?

A photo doesn’t make much of a story starter if it doesn’t suggest that there might be a bigger picture lurking beneath the surface.

We hope you and your students love these picture prompts for creative writing as much as we do. If you love them, go ahead and scroll to the bottom to grab your own copy.

We’ve included a couple of questions with each picture that you could use to spark pre-writing conversations in your classroom, which can be helpful when working with younger students who might need a little more direction.

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Whose cat is this? What is he looking at? Where is he?

What is the owl thinking about? Is he alone? What does he hope to eat for dinner?

Who are these frogs? What is their relationship with each other? Why are they taking photos?

How did the dog get a phone? Why is he taking selfies? What is he doing with the pictures he takes?

This cat doesn’t look too happy. What’s bugging him? Did he get too many phone calls or is he waiting on an important call that’s taking too long to come?

What do these chicks think of the dog? What does the dog think of the chicks? Do you think they can communicate with each other? If so, what would they say?

Where do these lemurs live? What are they looking at? What is something unusual that might happen to them?

What is this fox doing? Is he yawning and stretching or is he trying to scare someone away? What kind of mischief does he like to get up to?

Is this wolf alone? If not, who is with him? What is he planning to do? Does he have a family to feed or protect?

What is this child doing on the laptop? Can he actually read and type or is he just playing? If he can read and type, how did he learn that at such a young age? What other cool things can he do?

Where is this woman? Is she lost? How did she get to this street? What interesting things might she discover as she explores this new city?

Why is the dog wearing glasses? Can he see through them? What are he and the girl doing? How does he feel about it?

Who are these two little boys? What is their relationship with each other? What is the teddy bear’s story?

Who are these children? Why are they running? Is it a race or are they playing a game? Who’s going to win?

Whose horse is this? Does the little boy own it or does he just visit it? Can the horse talk? How does the boy feel when he’s with the horse?

What is this boy reading? Does the book have magical powers? Does the boy? Do the stories in the book become real or does something else special happen?

Where is this man? How did he get there? What is he looking for?

Who is walking over the bridge? What’s on the other side? Is it worth the risk?

What are these people doing on the elephant? Where are they? Are they tourists or is the elephant their pet? What would life with an elephant be like?

Who made this map? It looks old. Has it been hidden away for a long time? Who discovered it and how? What does it lead to?

Whose typewriter is this? What important or secretive thing might they be working on? What could happen if the wrong person finds their work?

Who are these three stuffed animals? Are they living? What is their story?

Whose ukulele is this? Why did they leave it here? Who might find it?

Where is the owner of the bike? Where does this path lead? What if the bike’s not there when the owner returns?

Whose shoes are these? Why did they leave them here? Why are they so dirty?

Who was reading the newspaper? What was the most interesting thing they read? Where have they disappeared to?

Who put this sign on the old truck? What do you think of it? How did the truck end up in its current condition and location?

Who set the table? Who are they expecting? What special occasion are they celebrating? What could go wrong?

Whose birthday cake is this? Are they having a party? Who is there? Who did they want to have there that didn’t show up?

Who lives here? How do they access their home? What is their life like?

Who built the igloo? Where is it? How does it feel to spend the night inside it?

What is the history of this castle? Who lives in it now? Does it have any special or magical features?

Is this barn abandoned or do people live on the property? What kind of animals might live here? How do they keep themselves entertained?

What is it like living on a houseboat? What kind of community do you think forms among the neighbors? Imagine you live on one of these boats and think about how your daily life might change. What interesting things could you do if you lived here? What would you miss the most?

Where is this hut? Who lives here? What mystery might unfold if a stranger came knocking at their door?

What is this lighthouse called? Who runs it? How often do they leave? What is the most memorable experience they’ve had as a lighthouse operator?

How did this house get here? Does anyone live in it? What would life be like here?

Where is this festive street? Are the people there celebrating something? Where is everybody?

Who lives here? How did they build this house? Are they hiding from something? What does it look like inside?

Whose notebook is this? Why did they leave it here? What’s written in it and how might it change the life of the person who finds it?

What are these women doing? What are they supposed to be doing? Will they be in trouble if they get caught?

Who might be represented in this statue? Why is she being pulled by lions? What amazing things might she have done to deserve a statue in this prominent place?

Where is this? Who is riding in the hot air balloons? Where are they going and why?

How old is this tree? Where is it? What are some of the most fascinating stories it could tell?

Where is this carousel? Who is riding it? Can you think of a special or strange story about how it came to exist in this particular place?

What are these people thinking about? What’s at stake for them? What happens if one of them sneezes?

Where are these penguins? What are they talking about? Which one of them is the leader?

What is this place? Was it designed to be open like this or was it once part of someone’s home or a public building? How have people’s opinions of this place changed over time?

Who are these kids? Is this what they’re supposed to be doing? What happens when their teacher sees them?

Who is supposed to ride in this boat? Where are they going? Will they make it there?

Is this plane special to someone? What did they have to do to get it/build it? Where will they fly to in it?

Who decorated this train car? Which passengers will fill it up? What will they talk about?

Whose skis are these? Why are they sticking out of the snow? How did their owner get down the mountain without them?

Where does this gondola go? Who rides it? How does it feel to ride it?

Who’s driving the monster truck? Why is it at the beach? What is it going to crush? Who is watching?

Where is the boat going? Who is on it? What is their mission?

What city is the helicopter flying over? Why? Is the driver looking for something specific or do they have a special delivery?

What’s the little boy doing in the boat? Is he alone or is someone with him? Where is he trying to go?

Who is in the sub? What’s it like inside? What are they doing?

Whose book is this? What’s it about? What’s happening to it?

How did that piece of land with the house on it break off from the rest of the world? Why? Where is it going? Is anyone in the house?

Who is this girl? Where is she? Who is she shooting at?

Where does this scene take place? Is the lizard/dragon good or bad? What is its relationship with the girl?

What do these books represent? What kind of world is this? What (or who) is inside the books?

What are these dinosaurs discussing? Where are they? What do they do for fun?

Whose cottage is this? Do they still live there? If not, where have they gone? If so, what do they do there?

What is the moth thinking about? Is it alone? What’s the biggest challenge it faces in this moment?

Who is the owl looking at? Has it read these books? What is its greatest talent?

Where are these trees? Why are they pink? Do they have any special powers or features?

What do you think? Which kind of pictures do you like best for creative writing prompts ? Let us know in the comments.

Thursday 9th of May 2024

I love this website because I was using it with my kindergartners and it work so so so well!!!!

Monday 20th of May 2024

That's wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

Tuesday 5th of March 2024

I LOVE these! My daughter has always struggled with written story prompts and an internet search this week convinced me of the value of picture prompts for reluctant readers/writers (https://youcanjournal.com/journal-picture-prompts/ if you're interested!). I'll definitely be using these to help improve her writing skills. Thanks so much!

Tuesday 26th of December 2023

I think the idea of using picture prompts is a great idea. It initiates oral language thus building vocabulary. It allows lends itself to students working in small groups to stimulate new ideas. The prompts engage the students and gives the teacher the opportunity to focus on specific writing skills.

luke elford

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

cloey mckay

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

I tried this with myself and my 6th-grade students, and they love it. it gives room for so much creativity.

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150 Inspiring Picture Writing Prompts To Spark Creativity (Free Google Slides)

Use a picture to write a thousand words!

Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can’t come up with anything to write about. That’s why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump right into crafting a story to match. We rounded up a whole collection of intriguing images for use with kids in grades K-12 along. Plus we designed a set of free Google Slides featuring all of the prompts so you can easily share them with students.

Tip: Start by showing students the picture (or let them choose from among several) without making any comment about what they’re seeing. For kids who still struggle to get started, suggest a potential title or opening sentence, like the examples included here.

Don’t miss our free downloadable. Grab your full set of ready-to-go Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all of the prompts below.

Elementary Picture Writing Prompts

Middle school picture writing prompts, high school picture writing prompts, art picture writing prompts.

When kids first see these picture writing prompts, they may or may not immediately feel inspired. If they need some help, ask them questions like “What led up to this moment?” or “What’s going to happen next?”

When Larry fell in love, he fell hard.

When the new sign appeared on Main Street, everyone in town wondered exactly what it meant.

Snowy Footprints

After that crazy day, all that was left to show for it was footprints in the snow.

Dinosaur Bones

“Come with me if you want to live!” Ash said, reaching out a hand.

Undersea Treasure

For years, no one saw the locked treasure chest but the local fish, who wondered what it could contain.

A Game of Fetch

To Scout, it was a game, but to Mr. Freezy, it was much more.

Ladybug Gossip

The ladybug’s picnic was an excellent chance to meet up with old friends and hear all the latest gossip.

We met them when they peeked into our window, watching us as we ate lunch and watched cartoons.

King of the Jungle

It wasn’t the crown that made Amari the king of all he surveyed.

The Final Pitch

It all came down to this—the final pitch in a game that was tied 2-2.

Doggie Massage

Every dog in the neighborhood knew that Rocky gave the best massages and was always willing to lend an ear too.

Skateboard Life

When Charli got her first skateboard, she made herself a promise.

Garden of the Past

The woman walked in the garden every day, never saying a word.

Sunset Friends

They met on the jungle gym every day at sunset, sharing everything about their days.

Pink Umbrellas

When the pink umbrellas first appeared, Toni thought they might be magic.

Firefly Forest

Olivia was surprised to discover that the fireflies didn’t just glow, they also sang.

Robot Spider

When it first crawled ashore, the mechanical spider moved slowly.

Fallen House

Staring at their house, which was now on its side, the whole family was in shock.

Red Riding Hood

If only she’d been riding her faithful steed the day she’d met the Big Bad Wolf, things might have been very different.

Kangaroo Fall

“Well, this is embarrassing,” thought Bouncer, as laughter filled the air around him.

Daci’s big brother said her signs wouldn’t help them find their runaway cat, but he was wrong.

Penguin Bookshop

A visit to Mr. Pickerel’s Penguin Bookshop is always an adventure.

Of all the eggs in the carton, Ella was the one who could always crack you up.

That was the year Min was finally tall enough to ride the Sky Swings, but now she wasn’t so sure.

Rubber Duck Parade

It was truly an honor to be asked to lead the Spring Duck Parade.

Teddy Story Time

Every afternoon, the three friends gathered for story time in their favorite spot in the woods.

Underwater School

Nia thought going to school underwater would be exciting, but some days she really missed going outside for recess.

The day Amos started his journey down the river, the sun was shining brightly.

Turtle Trouble

“None shall pass,” growled the old sea turtle, blocking the way.

Dinosaur Race

Pia was supposed to keep Balthazar on a leash, but once they reached the forest, she set him free and they both began to run.

Finally Seeing Eye to Eye

“So, we meet at last, face to face,” Lord Squeakerton said to his enemy, the Count of Catnip.

It takes a lot to surprise a monkey, but you don’t see something like this every day.

Not Coming Out

The day started out normally enough, but by the end, Chris knew he was in over his head.

Life on Other Planets

“Hurry up,” Grnklor told his robopup. “We have to get back inside before nightfall.”

Reindeer Games

The wind had died down, but the setting sun seemed to take all the warmth of the day with it.

Something to Celebrate

Their classmates could hear their shouts of joy from all the way down the hall.

Home Sweet Mushroom

When the fairies that lived in the garden invited her to stay with them for awhile, Maria wasn’t sure what to expect.

Loch Ness Mystery

“There it is! I told you Nessie is real!” Angus whispered to Lee.

Lonely Bear

It was hard to say who was lonelier that night, Amil or his lost stuffed bear, Jasper.

Sometimes You Lose

When his team lost the championship, Miguel was crushed, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.   

Middle school writing prompts can be a little more complex, with pictures that have a lot of potential interpretations. Encourage students to delve deeper into the story by describing how the characters feel and why they behave the way they do.

Morgan was incredibly proud of those shoes, paid for entirely with money from after-school jobs.

Never Lose Hope

With his last bit of energy, Kai scrawled his message in the wet paint.

The keyboard button could only be used once, and no one knew exactly what happened when you pressed it.

Piano Lessons

Before she could even speak, Arya was drawn to the black and white keys.

There was no doubt about it, this was was indeed a very special kind of garden.

No matter how you looked at it, it had been a very rough day to be the Easter Bunny.

Empty Chairs

By sunset, all four chairs were empty, and the only signs of life were the gulls swooping down from above.

Floating Treasure

To the birds, it was simply a convenient place to land, but Ali and I knew it was much more than that.

Shadow Question

That was the day they discovered that just because you were invisible didn’t mean your shadow was.

Letter and Key

The day she turned 12, Vivi’s aunt handed her an envelope containing the family secret.

Space Target

Onyx paused, knowing that once their arrow hit the target, there was no knowing what would happen.

Mermaid Mystery

It was a mermaid—or was it?

World on a String

Her dad had promised to give her the world, but she wasn’t expecting three more planets as well.

Bee Standoff

“This flower ain’t big enough for the both of us!” said Bianca.

Solitary Seat

For as long as anyone could remember, Angus McGee spent his evenings in the same chair next to the woodstove.

Best Friends

When you decide to run away from home forever, you can’t possibly leave your best friend behind.

Dinosaur Demise

In retrospect, setting the time machine to randomly choose a day and time in the past might not have been such a good idea.

Magic Lamps

“Choose wisely,” said the old shopkeeper, “for only one of these lamps is truly magic.”

Message in a Bottle

The message floated at sea for more than 50 years before the day we found it on the beach.

Barrel Boat

Of all the ways to impress someone, Jonah thought to himself, this had to be one of the most ridiculous.

Dragon Guardian

When your parents give you your own dragon guardian, your childhood is bound to be enchanted.

Octopus’s Garden

Wouldn’t you like to be under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the shade?

Around the Corner

After finally pressing “send,” she couldn’t resist peeking around the corner to watch him read the text.

Beam Me Up!

Milo’s earliest memory was of watching his beloved tricycle float into the sky above him, caught in a beam of light.

Poison Apple

To join the club, all Aaron had to do was creep up and snatch the apple from the skeleton’s hand without being seen.

Giraffe Council

“It is now 3 p.m., and I call this meeting of the Mighty Council of Giraffes to order,” announced Imari.

Mystery Creature

At first glance, it was hard to tell whether the little creature was friend or foe.

As the sky turned orange, Keisha ran faster than ever and used the last of her energy to push off and soar over the water below.

The End of Days

Despite their best efforts, they arrived too late—the battle had already begun.

Out of the Book

“Happily ever after” was about to take on a whole new meaning.

Stopped Clock

I was sure that the time on the broken clock was the clue to solving the mystery.

Dueling Webs

It’s never a good idea to build your web too close to another spider’s, but this time I had no choice.

Do Shoes Grow on Trees?

The day I threw my own shoes into the tree was the day I really started to grow up.

Abstract Art

“So,” asked their art teacher, “what do you think this painting means?”

Wandering Robots

Everything about NB-317 was made of cardboard except his heart—that was made of flesh and blood and very capable of being broken.

Dream Come True

It all started when Quinn watched her favorite movie the night before they assigned partners for the eighth grade science fair project.

Mysterious Cave

The cave was unlike anything we’d ever seen before, and what was more, it almost seemed like the rock was alive.

Storm at Sea

As the rain lashed his face and lightning tore apart the sky, Kiran had to admit he’d always thought it would be a lot more fun being a pirate.

Grasshopper Close-Up

That’s when Javed realized it wasn’t that the grasshopper was too big—it was that he was suddenly very, very small.

UFO Parking

“Well, that’s convenient,” Javdok remarked to Qabow when they saw the sign.   

High school writers are ready to dig deep, exploring character development and detailed plots. These pictures offer a jumping-off point to set their imaginations free.

Cyborg Girl

When she was 14, Tasha’s parents finally told her the truth about what she really was.

BBQ Cookout

“So, I’m guessing no one told you I’m a vegetarian?” asked Sadie with a smile.

The latest app was like a time machine, allowing people to look back in time, but it also had a dark side.

She was surrounded by people but never felt more alone.

Hippo Troubles

Like all parents, hippos sometimes really need a break from their kids.

iPad Farmer

Grandpa Jack never failed to surprise us.

Marching Band Blues

Kaleel sat sadly on the bench, watching the rest of the band march away in jaunty time to the music.

Never-Ending Tunnel

The tunnel seemed to stretch to infinity, but Jayma knew what was at the end, and it terrified her.

Carving Out Love

For years, we wondered who “WP” was, and who it was who loved them so much they carved it into a tree for all to see.

Glowing Globe

Just then, the globe began to glow, and Jaxson knew he was about to leap through space and time once again—destination unknown.

See No Evil

It seemed like a funny joke to pose the skeletons in front of old Mrs. Petoski’s house, but then she turned up dead, and the police said it was murder.

Upside Down

It’s an odd feeling to wake up one morning and find yourself able to walk on the ceiling.

Face at the Fence

So much depended on which side of the fence you were on.

Bicycle Race

Finley had trained too hard for this race to come in third—it just wasn’t good enough.

Family Travels

In the picture, my grandmother’s expression is hard to interpret, but she’s told me the story many times.

Laundromat Antics

Dani never expected to meet her first love feet first.

Molly’s mom probably didn’t mean for her to be the one to find the note, but that’s how things turned out.

Through the Storm

Javier knew it would have been smarter to stay put, but he had to make sure his mom was safe before the worst of the storm arrived.

Lifetime Friends

They’d been friends for as long as they could remember—even longer, in fact.

Stray Kitten

“I am NOT taking you home with me,” Kai told the tiny mewling kitten firmly.

Abandoned Greenhouse

Willow was free to leave at any time, but she couldn’t make herself go.

Amani’s earliest memory was razor wire—miles and miles of it.

Church Graveyard

Everyone feels differently in a graveyard, but for me, they’re very peaceful places.

Orb of Death

“Do you really want to know?” Death asked. “Because once you know, you won’t be able to forget.”

Missed Shot

Steve was sure his shot would make it, but it bounced off the rim just as the buzzer rang to end the game.

First Contact

This was it—the moment that would change what it meant to be human forever.

One Life To Live

His face said his life had been a hard one, but his eyes told a different tale.

Winter Walk

Snow fell, creating a blank canvas to record the story of that fateful walk.

Train to Nowhere

It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious way to travel, but then again, no one really wanted to make this trip in the first place.

Modern Mary Poppins

She dropped into our lives on a gray day in midwinter, a hint of the spring that was to come.

All That Remains

Dust motes filled the air of the abandoned hallway, replacing the voices once heard there.

From the day he found the little creature, Luis refused to go anywhere without him.

The Question

Their happily ever after began quietly, with a bouquet of wildflowers.

Night Lights

Misty rain both blurred and emphasized the lights that lit Suri’s way home that evening.

Forest of Fear

At first, Mateo thought it was a joke, but the screams that followed told him there was nothing remotely funny about it.

At the elite level, being a spy meant serious commitments.

The Yellow Door

On their 14th birthday, every resident of Fresnia was required to stand before the Wall of Doors and make a choice.

Graffiti Palace

To strangers, it seemed random, but every mark on those walls had deep meaning for us.

Fossil Fish

Millions of years ago, the fish gave one final flop before lying still in the deep mud.

On the Rails

Aliyah stood on the tracks, uncertain of where to go next.

These picture prompts are all works of art, some more well known than others. Try providing them to students without sharing the titles first, then offer up the titles if they need some help getting started.

The Dance Class (Edgar Degas)

Greek Funerary Plaque (520-510 BCE)

Washington Crossing the Delaware (Emanuel Leutze)

Kyōsai’s Pictures of One Hundred Demons

First Steps, After Millet (Vincent van Gogh)

Lady Lilith (Dante Gabriel Rossetti)

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat)

After the Hurricane, Bahamas (Winslow Homer)

Drawing Lots for Prizes (Kitagawa Utamaro)

Portions of Field Armor (Jacob Halder)

Sadie Pfeifer, a Cotton Mill Spinner (Lewis Wickes Hine)

Still Life With Monkey, Fruits, and Flowers (Jean Baptiste Oudry)

Man Leading a Giraffe, 5th Century Byzantine

The Three Skulls (Paul Cézanne)

The Madame B Album (Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier)

Coiled Trumpet in the Form of a Snarling Feline Face (c. 100 BCE to 500 CE)

Crazy Quilt With Animals (Florence Elizabeth Marvin)

Storytime (Eugenio Zampighi)

Cubist Village (Georges Gaudion)

Zig-Zag Passenger and Freight Train (Unknown)

The Power of Music (William Sidney Mount)

The Large Tree (Paul Gauguin)

After the Bath (Mary Cassatt)

Wedding Gown (Korea, Late 1800s)

The Contemplator (Eugène Carrière)

The Girl I Left Behind Me (Eastman Johnson)

24c Curtiss Jenny Invert Single

Creeping Baby Doll Patent Model

Wrecked Zeppelin (British Library)

Skeleton (Tales of Terror Frontispiece)

Get Your Free Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides

Just click the button below to fill out the form and get instant access to free downloadable Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all the prompts included above.

How do you use picture writing prompts in your classroom? Come share ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

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Image & Imagination: 95+ Photo Prompts to Ignite Your Storytelling

By: Author Valerie Forgeard

Posted on August 17, 2023

Categories Writing

You’ve hit a creative wall, haven’t you? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

But what if you could unlock inspiration with a glance at a photo? That’s the power of writing photo prompts. They’re not just images; they’re catalysts for your creativity.

So grab your pen, open your mind and let’s dive into the world of photo prompts – where every picture can spark a thousand ideas!

Key Takeaways

• Photo prompts unlock inspiration and trigger ideas, emotions, and memories in writing.
• Images serve as untapped reservoirs of inspiration and are catalysts for compelling narratives.
• Photo prompts engage the senses, evoke emotions, and create narratives through visual storytelling techniques.
• Visual cues in photo prompts spark creativity, help overcome writer’s block, and stimulate the senses in writing.

95 Photo-Inspired Writing Prompts

A picture is worth a thousand words—or so the saying goes. But what if a photo could be the spark that ignites a thousand stories?

Here are 95 intriguing photo prompts, each designed to stimulate your creativity and beckon your words onto the page. Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking for fresh inspiration or a budding author eager to explore new narratives, these images will transport you to myriad worlds, emotions, and possibilities.

So, grab your pen, gaze into the captured moments, and let the stories unfold. The power of visual storytelling awaits.

• An aerial mountain landscape – describe the view.
• A lighthouse on a cliff overlooking the ocean – write about a day in the life of the lighthouse keeper.
• A young girl standing in an open field holding a metal detector – what might she find?
• An abandoned amusement park – what memories linger?
• A small boat alone in the ocean – what journey lies ahead?
• A rain-streaked window looking out on a city street – describe the view.
• A winter cabin in the woods – describe a day there.
• A boardwalk at sunset – describe the scene.
• A small boat floating down a foggy river – set the scene.
• A dark landscape lit by lightning – set the scene.
• An empty rocking chair on a porch – imagine who sat there.
• A deer silhouetted in a forest – describe the moment.
• A closeup of an eye with a reflection – what does the eye see?
• Cherry blossoms blooming – describe their significance.
• A bridge over water at golden hour – imagine looking over the edge.
• A pier stretching out into a misty lake – describe the atmosphere.
• A child holding a conch shell to their ear – imagine what they hear.
• A photo of a solar eclipse – describe the experience of viewing one.
• A grove of redwood trees stretching up to the sky – imagine wandering among them.
• A rocky beach at sunset – describe the colors and mood.
• An underwater shipwreck – reveal its secrets.
• A golden field of wheat swaying in the wind – describe its beauty.
• A mountain climber scaling a cliff – describe their thoughts.
• A bear standing in a river catching fish – tell the surrounding story.
• An aerial view of rice terraces carved into a hillside – consider their creation.
• A flaming fire poi spinner at a festival – describe their dance.
• Rooftop terraces looking out over a city – bring the view to life.
• Peeling paint on an abandoned building – contemplate its decay.
• A magnifying glass over an eye – describe what’s revealed in the eye’s reflection.
• A bike parked in an alley with a picnic spread next to it – imagine the scene.
• A path winding through a field of wildflowers – describe the walk.
• A twisted tree growing sideways out of a cliff – describe its resilience.
• A whale’s tail breaching the ocean surface – imagine the moment.
• A cat perched on a windowsill gazing out – describe what it sees.
• A couple dancing under string lights at a summer wedding – what are their names and how did they meet?
• Friends gathered around a campfire under the stars – what are their stories?
• A woman sitting alone on a bench with a suitcase – where is she headed?
• Two people shaking hands on a business deal – what deal are they striking?
• A young man walking down train tracks – where does he come from and where is he going?
• A mother laughing with her child – describe a moment between them.
• A person staring at a wall of missing person flyers – what are they thinking?
• A photobooth strip of friends making silly faces – give them a story.
• A child walking along the beach with an empty leash – describe the significance.
• Two old friends laughing over coffee – reveal their conversation.
• An elderly man on a park bench feeding pigeons – give him a story.
• A teenage girl’s bedroom with band posters on the wall – imagine who lives there.
• A fisherman sitting alone at the end of a dock – give him a story.
• A winding road disappearing into a forest – where does it lead?
• An old black and white photo of a crowded city street – what’s the story?
• An old home with a ‘for sale’ sign on the overgrown lawn – what’s its history?
• A historic downtown with old shops and neon signs – pick a store and describe it.
• A young girl peeking into a small door in a tree trunk – what world lies inside?
• A historic theater with old movie posters out front – imagine attending on opening night.
• A historic courthouse – imagine a trial that once took place there.
• A worn ‘Route 66’ highway sign – describe a road trip down this famous route.
• A rundown diner on an empty road – what memories live within its walls?
• A crumbling stone house – reveal its secrets.
• A locker full of yearbooks – flip through the memories.
• A maze of library bookshelves – explore the space.
• A rundown gas station – imagine its place in someone’s story.
• A street performer playing guitar for a crowd – describe the experience.
• An empty house with old furniture covered in sheets – what happened here?
• A dimly lit dive bar – explore its secrets.
• A bookshelf filled with antiques – focus on one item and its history.
• Billboards lighting up Times Square – describe the energy.
• A crumbling gothic mansion – reveal its past.
• An overhead view of a sprawling hedge maze – tell the story of someone lost inside.
• Stack of old vinyl records – choose an album cover that intrigues you and explore its story.
• A grand hotel lobby – imagine yourself passing through.
• A drive-in movie theater – paint a scene under the stars.
• An empty carnival at night – explore the space.
• A typed letter scattered on the floor – piece together the story.
• A room with paintings covering every inch of wall space – explore the collection.
• A crumbling stone tower – reveal its purpose and history.
• A mansion with ivy climbing up the facade – explore inside.

Imagination

• A child sitting on a suitcase looking out a train window – where are they going?
• A band performing live on a stage – describe the scene.
• A bag of money sitting on a hotel bed – describe how it got there.
• An abandoned car on the side of a desert road – how did it get there?
• A mixed media collage – describe it in detail.
• A closeup of a face with eyes closed – what are they thinking about?
• A camper driving down an empty desert road – describe the journey.
• A room full of candles and mirrors – imagine yourself inside.
• A crumbling hourglass with sand spilling out – consider the fragility of time.
• A rusted old key sitting on a table – what does it unlock?
• A suitcase with stickers from all over the world – imagine whose it is and their travels.
• A room filled with candles – set the mood.
• A lone house in a sweeping desert landscape – imagine who lives there.
• A woman whispering into a glass bottle – share the secrets inside.
• A rollercoaster speeding down its tracks – describe the experience.
• A room with photos linked together on string – explore the connections.
• An open book with a ribbon bookmark placed carefully inside – share a passage.

The Concept of Photo Prompts in Writing

You’re probably wondering how photo prompts can enhance your writing, aren’t you?

Think of it as a gateway to your subconscious, where the realm of ‘photo prompts psychology’ comes alive. A single image can trigger an avalanche of ideas, emotions, and memories that were previously unnoticed.

Imagine the world of journalism. A photo prompt isn’t just another picture; it’s a story waiting to be narrated—a crucial element in ‘photo prompts in journalism’. A war-torn street, a jubilant crowd, or even a solemn sunset—all carry stories worth telling.

You see these images and they speak to you, sparking creativity that translates into compelling narratives. So next time you’re stuck for words, remember: A picture isn’t just worth a thousand words—it’s also an untapped reservoir of inspiration.

How to Effectively Use Photo Prompts

It’s crucial to understand how to utilize these visual cues effectively in order to enhance your creative process. Here are some visual storytelling techniques you can use with photo prompts for poetry:

• Engage Your Senses
• Explore the scene: What do you see, hear, smell, or feel?
• Evoke emotion: How does the image make you feel?
• Create a Narrative
• Identify characters: Who/What is in the photo?
• Plot a story: What happened before this moment? What will happen next?
• Incorporate Symbolism
• Find deeper meaning: What symbolic elements can you identify?
• Create metaphors/similes based on these symbols.

Creative Ideas for Writing Photo Prompts

Let’s delve into some innovative ways to harness imagery for your poetic inspirations.

Imagine a cascade of photo prompt variations, each one a different snapshot of life waiting to evoke emotion within your words. Consider the raw intensity of a stormy ocean or the vibrant bustle of a city street at dusk. These visuals aren’t just prompts; they’re catalysts for creativity.

Try pairing contrasting images to showcase the dichotomy in your narrative. A barren desert against an urban jungle can ignite riveting tales of survival and adaptation. Experiment with evoking emotions using prompts that resonate on personal levels; perhaps an old family photo or a poignant childhood memory captured in pixels.

The key is to let these images inspire, guide, but never limit your imagination’s flight into the realm of poetry!

Advantages of Using Photo Prompts in Writing

Using visual cues in your storytelling has several perks. It sparks creativity and provides a tangible point of reference, like opening a treasure chest of inspiration. Visual prompts such as images, colors, and patterns/textures can boost creativity and help overcome writer’s block.

Images are powerful tools that can paint a thousand words. Just one photo can spawn countless ideas. Colors, on the other hand, evoke emotions and set the mood for your story. They add depth and detail to your descriptions. Patterns and textures also play a role in enhancing your storytelling. They add depth and detail to your descriptions.

Imagine you’re viewing an image of an abandoned house with peeling paint. The eerie silence is palpable. The faded blue color speaks volumes about its forgotten history. The rough texture narrates tales of weathered storms. Your mind races, fabricating a compelling narrative around this lone structure.

With visuals stimulating your senses, writing becomes an exciting exploration!

Case Studies: Successful Use of Photo Prompts in Writing

You’ve no doubt heard of successful authors who’ve used visual cues to inspire their narratives, haven’t you? There’s an art to it; a dance between image and imagination that births captivating tales.

Through prompt selection techniques, they find the perfect photo prompt challenges and transform them into vibrant prose.

Imagine a sepia photograph: old, faded around the edges. Every wrinkle and crease tells a story of its own. The author studies it, peeling back layers of time with every glance. Suddenly, characters rise from the shadows – whispers of forgotten eras transforming into roaring dialogues.

This is the power of photo prompts! They’re not just pictures; they’re keys unlocking worlds within your mind. So next time you’re facing writer’s block or seeking fresh inspiration, remember this secret weapon – Photo Prompts!

So, you’ve explored the vibrant world of photo prompts! You’ve grasped their power to spark creativity and seen them transform writing. You’ve marveled at their success stories.

Remember, it’s your turn now. Grab a photo prompt and let its story sweep you away. Spill those words and unleash that creative beast within you. Because with photo prompts in your arsenal, the sky is just the beginning!

• Image Prompts

85+ Picture Writing Prompts For Kids (+ Free Printable)

A picture is worth a thousand words. So how many words can you write for these 85 picture writing prompts for kids and grow-ups alike! Pictures, whether something as simple as an apple or as complex as an action scene can spark the imagination in more ways than one.

Of course, when looking at pictures you can take the literal route, and describe whatever you see in front of you. Or you can explore your imagination, and think about the ‘What Ifs..’ of a picture. What if that person is actually upset? What if this picture is of a broken family? What if the world looked like this years ago? A picture can have so many hidden meanings and can hide so many secrets. The slightest detail could mean everything. Just imagine you’re a detective solving a crime from one picture alone. Examine every detail, write it down and think why? Only then can you fully understand a picture.

For more inspiration take part in our daily picture writing prompt challenge . Each day you will be given a new picture prompt to write about.

Picture Prompt Generator

In this post, we have included a mix of simple pictures, story picture prompts, photographs, fantasy images and even some action-packed images.

You can find the complete list of our picture writing prompts below. We’ve also created a smaller PDF version that includes 30 random picture prompts. Download the printable PDF here .

You might also be interested in the following posts:

• 30 Christmas Pictures To Get You Writing ‘Tis Jolly Season
• 25+ Halloween Image Prompts For Mastering Horror Stories
• How to Use Image prompts To Inspire You

150 Picture Prompts To Inspire

Over 85 picture prompts for creative writing, story-telling and descriptive writing assignments:

How to Use these Prompts

Picture prompts are the perfect writing stimulus especially when you hit writer’s block . Here are a number of ways you can use these picture writing prompts to spark your imagination:

• Descriptive Writing: Directly describe everything you see in extreme detail. You could even go beyond the physical appearance of things, and explore your other senses, such as smell, hear, feel and taste.
• Story-Telling: Pick just one image, and tell a whole story based on this one image.
• Story Starter: Similarly you can pick one image, and use it as the starting place of your story.
• Collaborative Story-Telling: In a group of 5 – 7 students, each student can have a random picture. The first student uses their picture as the story starter, and then the next student continues the story based on their own image. Keep going until the final student ends the story.
• Idea Generation: Pick one image and try to think of at least 3 story ideas related to that one image. 
• Daily Writing Challenge: Give your students 7 images, and tell them to write a description for each image every day. 

These are just some ways to use images as writing prompts. You can also check our post on 8 fun story-telling games using image prompts for more ideas.  Did you find our picture writing prompts useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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How To Use Image Prompts: Writing A Story From A Picture

There's something about a good picture that can transport you to another place and time. Images have the ability to evoke feelings and emotions, which is why they make great prompts for writing stories. They can be used for fiction or non-fiction writing, and they can be used in any genre.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to use image prompts for writing a story from a picture. We will also provide some tips on how to get the most out of an image!

Why Image Prompts Work

Tips for writing a story from an image, image prompt mood boards, using pinterest boards as prompts, using images for fiction writing, what about non-fiction writing can you use image prompts, too.

Every picture tells a story, but that story can vary wildly from person to person. What one person sees in an image might be completely different from what someone else sees. This is why images make such great prompts for writing stories.

When you're looking at an image, try to let your mind wander and see what story unfolds before you. It can be helpful to ask yourself some questions about the image, such as:

• What is happening in this picture?
• Who are the people in this image?
• What are they feeling?
• Where is this taking place?
• What time period is this image from?
• What might happen next?

These are just a few examples.

Asking yourself these questions can help you to develop a richer story from an image. Not only that, but if you have already begun writing a story, you can find an image of a them or setting and use that to help you develop your story further and kick through writer's block.

The good thing about this method is you can use any picture in the world. You do not need to worry about any sort of copyright or permission.

Where to Find Picture Prompts for Creative Writing

You can find images from:

• social media
• the internet- really anywhere .

One tip is to try and use an image that you have not seen before. One that makes you yourself wonder about it's backstory.

Once you have found an image that you would like to use as a prompt, there are a few things that you can do to help you get the most out of it.

First, take some time to really look at the image and take it all in. Let your mind wander and see what story begins to form in your head.

Next, try to spend at least five minutes writing about the image. It can be helpful to set a timer so that you do not get too bogged down in the details.

The important thing is to just let the words flow and not worry too much about spelling or grammar. Whatever you write should just be a mindmap or rough draft - so just focus on getting your ideas down on paper.

Finally, once you have written for five minutes, take a step back and read what you have written.

See if there are any elements of the story that you would like to explore further.

If so, take as long as you need to build these individual concepts out. You could have a fresh page for each concept, or you could just keep writing on the same page, linking it all together.

It's really up to you!

The most important thing is that you have fun and enjoy the process; letting your creative juices flow.

Another trick is to create a mood board with other images that complement the original one. This can help you to come up with new ideas and plot points for your story.

For example, if you are using an image of a beach, you could include pictures of people swimming, sunsets, waves crashing against the shore, etc.

You can do this either digitally or by physically cutting out images from magazines and gluing them onto a piece of card.

This can be used for scenes, themes, universes, or even characters. If you use a story writing journal, you could make a page for each mood board, and your creative mind map on the facing page.

Pinterest boards are a great way to gather visual inspiration for stories.

If you are struggling to find an image to use as a prompt, take a look at other people's boards and see if anything catches your eye. You can simply search for a keyword or theme and a whole range of images will come up.

For example, if you wanted to write a story set in the 1920s, you could search for "1920s fashion" or "1920s party" and get some great ideas!

You can also use Pinterest boards to gather a series of pictures for story writing and create your own mood boards (as mentioned above).

To do this, simply create a new board and start pinning images that you like.

You can make the board as big or as small as you like, and you can add to it whenever you want.

This is a great way to keep all of your visual writing prompts in one place so that you can come back to it whenever you need some new ideas.

If you are writing a fiction story, you can go wild with this! Your only limit is your imagination. The great thing about fiction is that you can make the story as outlandish as you want.

Many people use image prompts for ideas for children's stories.

For example, let's say you are writing a picture book and you found this picture:

You can make up a story about a family of bears who live in the forest. The mother bear is sick and the father bear has to go find food for the family. He leaves the two baby bears with their grandfather.

While he is gone, the baby bears get into mischief. They climb a tree and end up getting stuck. Grandfather bear has to rescue them.

This is just one example of the many stories you could write from this single picture prompt.

Remember, the sky is the limit when it comes to fiction writing! Let your imagination run wild.

Image prompts can be useful for a variety of genres, not just fiction. They can help you get your creative juices flowing when you're feeling stuck, or provide a way to access parts of your imagination you might not otherwise be able to tap into.

For example, I once used an image prompt to write a non-fiction piece about a cultural festival I'd attended. The photo showed people in traditional dress dancing around a bonfire, and it inspired me to write about the history and meaning behind the festival.

So, if you find yourself struggling to write non-fiction, give image prompts a try. You might be surprised at what you come up with!

How do you feel about using visuals to help with your writing? Do you have any tips for using image prompts? Share them in the comments below!

You might also find some of these writing prompts useful:

• 59 KILLER Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas For Your Story That Nobody Would Think Of
• 35 Unique OTP Writing Prompts and Ideas!
• 63 Fanfiction Writing Prompts to Spark Your Imagination

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• Our Mission

Inspire Thoughtful Creative Writing Through Art

A few years ago, I showed my sixth graders The Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer. It's an epic painting of a young black sailor in a small broken boat, surrounded by flailing sharks, huge swells, and a massive storm in the distance. I asked my students the simple question, "What's happening?" The responses ranged from "He's a slave trying to escape" to "He's a fisherman lost at sea." The common theme with the responses, though, was the tone -- most students were very concerned for his welfare. "That boat looks rickety. I think he’s going to get eaten by the sharks," was a common refrain. Then a very quiet, shy girl raised her hand. "It's OK, he'll be fine," she said. "The ship will save him."

The room got quiet as everyone stared intently at the painting. I looked closely at it. "What ship?" I responded. The young girl walked up to the image and pointed to the top left corner. Sure enough, faded in the smoky distance was a ship.

This revelation changed the tone and content of the conversation that followed. Some thought it was the ship that would save him. Others thought it was the ship that cast him off to his death. Would the storm, sharks, or ship get him? The best part of this intense debate was hearing the divergent, creative responses. Some students even argued. The written story produced as a result of analyzing this image was powerful.

Since this experience, I have developed strategies that harness the power of observation, analysis, and writing through my art lessons.

Children naturally connect thoughts, words, and images long before they master the skill of writing. This act of capturing meaning in multiple symbol systems and then vacillating from one medium to another is called transmediation . While using art in the classroom, students transfer this visual content, and then add new ideas and information from their personal experiences to create newly invented narratives. Using this three-step process of observe, interpret, and create helps kids generate ideas, organize thoughts, and communicate effectively.

Step 1: Observe

Asking students to look carefully and observe the image is fundamental to deep, thoughtful writing. Keep this in mind when choosing art to use in class. Look for images with:

• Many details: If it is a simple image, there's not much to analyze.
• Characters: There should be people or animals in the image to write about.
• Colors: Find colors that convey a mood.
• Spatial relationships: How do the background and foreground relate?

Lead your students through the image. "I like it" is not the answer we are looking for. Ask questions that guide the conversation. Encourage divergent answers and challenge them. Try these questions:

• What shapes do you see? Do they remind you of anything?
• What colors do you see? How do those colors make you feel?
• What patterns do you see? How are they made?
• Do you see any unusual textures? What do they represent?
• What is the focal point of the image? How did the artist bring your attention to the focal point?
• How did the artist create the illusion of space in the image?
• If you were living in the picture and could look all around you, what would you see?
• If you were living in the picture, what would you smell? What would you hear?

Keep your questions open-ended, and record what students say so that they'll have a reference for later. Identify and challenge assumptions. At this point, we are not looking for inferences or judgments, just observations.

Step 2: Make Inferences by Analyzing Art

Once they have discussed what they see, students then answer the question, "What is happening?" They must infer their answers from the image and give specific reasons for their interpretations.

For example, while looking at The Gulf Stream , one student said, "The storm already passed and is on its way out. You can tell because the small boat the man is on has been ripped apart and the mast is broken." That is what we are looking for in their answers: rational thoughts based on inferences from data in the picture. No two responses will be exactly the same, but they can all be correct as long as the student can coherently defend his or her answer with details from the image. When children express their opinions based on logic and these details, they are analyzing art and using critical thinking skills.

Here are some tips to model a mature conversation about art:

• Give adequate wait time. We are often so rushed that we don't give children time to think and reflect.
• Ask students to listen to, think about, and react to the ideas of others.
• Your questions should be short and to the point.
• Highlight specific details to look at while analyzing art (characters, facial expressions, objects, time of day, weather, colors, etc.).
• Explain literal vs. symbolic meaning (a spider's web can be just that, or it can symbolize a trap).

Step 3: Create

After thoughtful observation and discussion, students are abuzz with ideas. For all of the following writing activities, they must use details from the image to support their ideas. Here are just a few of the many ways we can react to art:

For Younger Students:

• Locate and describe shapes and patterns.
• Describe time of day and mood of scene.
• Describe a character in detail with a character sketch. Characters may be people, animals, or inanimate objects.
• Write a story based on this image including a brand new character.
• Give students specific vocabulary that they must incorporate into their story.

For Older Students:

• Write down the possible meaning of the image, trade with a partner, and persuade your partner to believe that your story is the correct one based on details in the image.
• Identify characters and their motives. Who are they and what do they want? Explain how you know based on details.
• Pretend that you are in the image, and describe what you see, smell, feel, and hear.
• Describe the details that are just outside of the image, the ones we can’t see.
• Introduce dialogue into your story. What are they saying?
• Sequence the events of the story. What happened five minutes before this scene, what is happening now, and what happens five minutes later? How do you know?
• Write from the perspective of one of the characters in the image.
• Explain who is the protagonist and antagonist. What is their conflict?

Thinking and Communicating

We don’t know what the future holds for our students, but we do know that they will have to think critically, make connections, and communicate clearly. Art can help students do that. During this year's commencement speech at Sarah Lawrence College, Fareed Zakaria said, "It is the act of writing that forces me to think through them [ideas] and sort them out." Art can be that link to helping students organize their ideas and produce coherent, thoughtful writing.

As you consider teaching writing through art, I recommend reading In Pictures and in Words by Kate Wood Ray and Beth Olshansky's PictureWriting.org website.

How have you used the arts to inspire creative thinking in your students? Please tell us about it in the comments.

5 Image-based Descriptive Writing Prompts

Need a better way to practise writing? Below, you’ll find 5 image-based descriptive writing prompts which are a great way to go! 

If you’re studying creative writing, you’ve probably heard of them and might have even used them by now! If you’re a non-fiction writer or just an everyday writer, especially if you’re just getting started, this might be a new thing for you – but it is definitely a thing! 

Every writer gets inspiration from different sources. It could be a neighbour, a friend, a local event, a tragedy, a painting, or even music and a particular song. It’s the same with images and photos – it can spark your creativity in no time! 

Before we get into how image-based descriptive writing works and give you a couple of assignments, make sure you check our online English school where you can find courses like these: 

Basic Descriptive Writing

Advanced Descriptive Writing 

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 

How to use image prompts for writing: 

• Take a good look at the image. 

An interesting photo, or the one that is deceptively simple – is an inspiration. This could literally be any photo that catches your eye – whether you found it online or in your personal belongings. 

• Take a few moments to absorb the details in the photo. 

What is the main focal point? Is it the background or foreground? What about colour, light, and all other small details? 

• Allow your senses to experience the photo and at the same time allow words to form in your head.

A story might start, whether it is just a couple of sentences or a few words. Try imagining you’re explaining that same photo to a friend, but the friend is unable to see it – what would you say to them? 

• Start writing, whether words form in your mind or not. 

In journalism, there is a “Five W’s + H” rule, meaning that you should answer these questions: who, what, when, where, why and how, and it can be really helpful if you don’t know where to start as this gives you a direction to follow. 

• What comes to mind for you will be completely different from others as it’s based on your own experience and beliefs. 

So, keep on writing and then edit later – it all depends on your purpose. If you think you’re onto something, keep going, see how the story develops. But even if you set it aside for another time, it’s a never wasted effort. 

Task: What can you see? What do you think has happened/is happening/will happen? Where did the house come from? How do you think it got here?  Why is it surrounded by all of the bricks? Who is the woman inside the house? Why is she looking out of the window? What might she be thinking?

There are so many ways to practise and improve your writing, so check our post on Descriptive Writing Prompts to get more ideas!

Task: Using the image above as an inspiration, write a creative piece in which you describe a day in nature.

Task: Who is this girl? How old is she? What is she doing, alone, in a cafe? Who do you think she’s texting? Does she look sad, or happy, or worried to you? 

Task: You’re sitting across this building. Imagine and create a life for a couple of people living there.

For the last task, pick a random photo from your phone or a computer; some that you’re fond of and describe what it is about. 

Do you want some tips on how to write more vividly? Check out this post that has all the answers you’re looking for!

Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, check our online English Language and Literature school where you can find a variety of courses that will help you enhance your English skills and grades!

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Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy Through Art ® and Image-Making Within The Writing Process ® are two innovative approaches to teaching writing and fostering literacy designed to meet the needs of a wide range of learners. Developed by Beth Olshansky, these evidence-based models use quality picture books and simple, captivating art techniques to teach the art of writing. Immersed in a rigorous creative process during Artists/Writers Workshop, students create their own quality picture books aligned with grade-level standards and curriculum. They learn to read like a writer and see like an artist.

I just don’t know what happens. Whenever I go to Artists/Writers Workshop, all sorts of good stuff just pops into my head. – Chris, grade 1

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Picture Books You Can Use for Writing Prompts

This post may contain affiliate links.

This list reflects recently published (2017) books that I’ve been reading. Of course, you can find many more picture books that also are wonderful writing prompts. Please leave any favorites in the comments!

You Might Also Like:

20 Picture Books About Writing a Story (for Writing Workshop)

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Wreck This Journal

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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One Comment

This is a favorite of ours https://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Pamela-Zagarenski/dp/0544416864/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491658303&sr=8-1&keywords=the+whisper Thanks for this list. I’m off to add some to me wish list 🙂

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Pictures to Inspire Creative Writing

July 19, 2021 by ami 1 Comment

Do you use pictures to inspire creative writing ? I do!

I taught creative writing lessons for several summers at a local enrichment program, and I used various artists such as William H. Johnson with bold, bright pictures to provide ideas for my students.

I keep an eye out for interesting artwork and pictures that would cause my students to consider and ponder.

When looking for the right pictures to provide writing prompts, I look for something unusual or something with an interesting perspective.

Mysterious Pictures to Inspire Creative Writing

One of my favorite set of pictures to use to inspire my writers is the set found in The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg. Every time I use this creative writing activity, it is a hit with my students.

The introduction of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick explains why this book is mysterious.

A children’s book publisher was visited by a man named Harris Burdick. Burdick claimed to have written and illustrated fourteen stories and had one picture from each story with him. The book publisher was interested in publishing the stories, so Harris Burdick left the illustrations and told the publisher that he would return the next day with the stories. But he didn’t return the next day. He never returned. No one knows who Harris Burdick was; he could not be found. His disappearance was a mystery. The other mystery is the illustration. Each one has a title and a caption, but no one knows what Harris Burdick actually wrote.

Chris Van Allsburg took the illustrations and created his own reproductions. You can use the pictures to inspire creative writing.

How to Use Pictures to Inspire Creative Writing

I purchased a used copy of the book, and I used a box cutter to cut out the fourteen illustrations. I know. I know. It seems blasphemous to do this to a book. But I did say used copy.

I photocopied the titles and captions. I put the title and caption page PLUS the corresponding picture in a page protector.

Review basic story elements: setting, character, and conflict.

Put numbers 1-14 in a hat. Let each student draw a number. If you have more than 14 students, pair them up before they choose a number. Pairs can collaborate for this creative writing activity.

Based on number, let the students choose an illustration.

Encourage students to write a short story using the picture prompt. I usually give my students a word minimum and maximum, but I will let you create your own rubric for this one since it can be used with a variety of ages and ability levels.

This excerpt is from a story composed by one of my students (based on one of the Harris Burdick illustrations):

Long ago, an old carpenter lived in a small cottage in England. All who met him described him as strange and mystical. One eerie Halloween night, he went to the Wisdom Woods and chopped down the oldest, biggest tree. Then, right there in Wisdom Woods, he carved seven beautiful chairs out of the tree. He delivered one chair to each of his seven worst enemies. This is the story of the fifth chair—the one that ended up in France . . . by Abby W.

The story doesn’t stop there; the writer continued to craft an amazing tale. This is a student who declared to hate writing and believed she could not write anything of value.

Giving students a picture prompt is a way to inspire them. It helps them over the hurdle of writer’s block.

More Pictures to Inspire Creative Writing

Many of my students respond well to this writing prompt; they succeed in writing something that shocks them, and I succeed in turning around their “I can’t write” and “I hate writing” attitudes.

Because the picture prompts have been successful in my creative writing classes, I decided to put together an additional file of interesting and unusual images. They are probably best suited for older elementary students (and beyond!), but you know your students better than I do.

The file of pictures to inspire creative writing includes 25 images:

• A road winding through an enchanted forest
• A hot air balloon landing in a stone hand
• A young woman on a quest
• A tricycle being taken by a spaceship (or UFO)
• A house being lifted by balloons
• A tiger parrot

Some of the images have word prompts while a few do not (because I’ve found that some students prefer to use their own imagination for every part of the creative writing process).

You can use these pictures in the same way that you would use the Harris Burdick illustrations.

Download the Creative Writing Pictures

Inspire your students!

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July 19, 2021 at 12:01 pm

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Picture Prompts

A Year of Picture Prompts: Over 160 Images to Inspire Writing

By Michael Gonchar and Katherine Schulten

• June 1, 2017

Update, Feb. 15, 2019: Learn more about how to use our 1000s of writing prompts by watching our free on-demand webinar: “ Give Them Something to Write About: Teach Across the Curriculum With New York Times-Inspired Daily Prompts. ”

This school year we added a new feature to our daily lineup of student activities. Called “ Picture Prompts ,” these short, accessible, image-driven posts feature photographs and illustrations from The Times, and invite a variety of written or spoken responses — from creative storytelling to personal narrative to constructing an argument or analyzing what a work of “op-art” might be saying.

Teachers tell us they use these prompts to inspire student writing — whether in their journals , as a timed opportunity or to practice inferring meaning “without worrying about getting the right or wrong answer.”

They also use them with a variety of learners, from high school to middle or elementary school students to English Language Learners of all ages. As one teacher put it, she uses them “for helping teenagers to start talking to each other. ”

Below, we’ve categorized the 160+ prompts we published during the 2016-17 school year based on the type of writing they primarily encourage students to do. All are still open for comment. Plus, we have a lesson plan on how to teach with Picture Prompts, along with other Times images , in case you’re looking for more inspiration.

If you use this feature with your students, or if you have other ideas for how to use images and writing prompts with students, let us know in the comments section.

What’s the story behind this photo? Use your imagination.

Floating You and Me Mysterious Doors Underwater One Night Dog at the Counter Cats in Clothes Sneaker Collection On the Street Beware of Zombies Big Numbers Pool of Sprinkles Secret Spaces A Narwhal’s Life Inspiration From an Illustration Dancers in Masks Frozen Fish Go-Karting Cards in the Air Opening the Door The Badger and the Cow Icebergs Dogs and Stars

Share experiences from your own life.

Sneakers Flavors of Home Toy Trends Meteor Shower In the Park Sports Fans A Trip to Mars Confronting Stereotypes A Remarkable Find Optimists and Pessimists Simone Biles $100 A Favorite Store Kindness Across Divides Winter Comforts Christmas Lights The Celebrity Next Door A Celebrated Tree Kindergarten in a Stadium Advice for New Students Favorite Olympic Athletes Social Media and Body Image Growing Old Staycations An Act of Kindness Fashion Week’s Street Style Reading and Diversity The Effects of Living to Age 122 Distractions Terrifying Encounters Give a Country a Compliment Smashing Pumpkins Day of the Dead World Series Champions Extreme Sports Breathing and Stress Thanksgiving Traditions Giving Tuesday Magic Shoes Breaking Barriers Favorite Mobile Games Your Holiday Traditions National Pride Public Art Fascinating Animals Offbeat Interests Repair Cafes Lunar New Year Protesting Healthy Habits Super Bowl Spending Valentine’s Day Winning Streak Virtual Reality Old-School Skills Dinner An Early Spring 360 Degrees of Holi Blizzards Then and Now Bucket List Good Conversations Escape Steps in a Day Your Five Senses YouTube Stars Losing Things Shoelaces A Good Night’s Sleep Wristwatches 3-D Printing No Fear Exhibits for a Museum of Failure Dresses at the Met Gala Fidget Spinners On the Billboard Chart Water Escapes Forest Kindergarten Body Image Ariana Grande A Mother’s Help Dream Houses Fasting and Food for Ramadan ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Dancing in the Streets A Comic Take on the News The N.B.A. Finals ‘Wonder Woman’

What do you think this image, chart or cartoon is saying?

In Your Head Money and Happiness Moving and Sitting Policing Large Man Speech Bubble Above and Below Lady Liberty #2 Across the Fence Blue and Red Map, 2012 Red and Blue Map, 2016 Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Lady Liberty #1 In Case of Emergency Break Glass The American Dream ‘Check-In’ Norman Rockwell’s ‘Four Freedoms’ Hair-Raising Answers to an Open-Ended Question Shredding Blue and Red Mr. Olympia A Seasonal Scene 100 Days Social Media

What’s your opinion on this issue?

Device Addiction? Self-Driving Cars An Invention the World Needs Creepy Clowns Beyoncé at the V.M.A.s Parenting Robot Greeters Arriving at Ellis Island Colin Kaepernick’s Protest Pennies Feminism An 18-Karat Throne Mandatory Voting? Tattoos A Hug Seen Around the World Mermaid School Anger Rooms Dabbing in Congress Hitler and History Gender and ‘Genderless’ Solving Global Problems Fashion-Show Diversity The Role of Public Broadcasting Children and Cell Phones U.F.O.s ‘A Man Needs His Nuggs’ Parenting Skills

Images for STEM Classes: Questioning, Explaining and Solving

A Fire Hose of Lava Math Problem Fall Foliage Basketball Dreams Insect Mysteries Goats in a Tree

Want more writing prompts?

We also have over 1000 Student Opinion questions we’ve asked over the years, gathered together in two lists: 650 prompts for narrative and personal writing and 401 prompts for argumentative writing . Plus, we have a collection of “ 40 intriguing images to make students think ,” taken from four years of our weekly “What’s Going On in This Picture?” feature.

10 interesting images for creative writing

They say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. But which words, exactly? For me, that’s where the fun begins. In this post, I’ve gathered together ten interesting images to use as starting points for creative writing. Free the words within the pictures and see what happens.

Writing prompt:

• Have a look at the images below, then choose one that interests you or speaks to you in some way. What words, emotions or ideas come to mind when you look at that picture? Note down your response. Now, look back over what you’ve written and choose one phrase that jumps out at you. Use your chosen phrase as the first line of a poem or short story.

Click on an image to view the gallery:

What was your reaction to the images in this post? If you’ve chosen one as a writing prompt do let me know how you get on. And if you’ve used any interesting images for creative writing in the past, I’d love to see them.

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