diff --git a/src/components/upload/PhotoCaptionEditor.tsx b/src/components/upload/PhotoCaptionEditor.tsx
index 09b63721..59db229a 100644
--- a/src/components/upload/PhotoCaptionEditor.tsx
+++ b/src/components/upload/PhotoCaptionEditor.tsx
@@ -198,13 +198,13 @@ export function PhotoCaptionEditor({
                       </div>
                       <div>
                         <Label htmlFor={`caption-${index}`} className="text-xs">
-                          Caption
+                          Caption <span className="text-muted-foreground">(optional but recommended)</span>
                         </Label>
                         <Input
                           id={`caption-${index}`}
                           value={photo.caption}
                           onChange={(e) => updatePhotoCaption(index, e.target.value)}
-                          placeholder="Add a caption for this photo..."
+                          placeholder="Add a caption to help viewers understand this photo..."
                           maxLength={maxCaptionLength}
                           className="h-8 text-sm"
                         />
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ export function PhotoCaptionEditor({
                       )}
                       <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
                         {photo.caption || (
-                          <span className="italic">Click edit to add caption</span>
+                          <span className="italic">No caption added</span>
                         )}
                       </p>
                     </div>