Writing on the Back of a Photograph

NEVER, write on the back of a photograph with any kind of pen nor a permanent pen. Over time, it will ruin the photo.
Always use, a pencil.

Always use, "acid free" materials.
IF that special permanent marker from your Creative Memories scrapbook kid is acid free.... it might be okay.
But pens/ink... can bleed through or ruin a photo over time. And pens/markers are a "wet" type of ink/writing implement. It is not "dry" like a pencil.
And Sharpies are alcohol based.
Pen ink can also fade over time as well.

And yes, write on the BACK of a photo. Not on the front face.

I am archival trained in materials/photos.

Get some stickers and write on them instead and stick them to the back of the photo

The amazing thing about scrapbooking is that it takes away the need to write on the picture. You put the picture on a paper that is safe, it won't make the picture deteriorate or fade, then you "journal" beside it onto the paper. That way you are looking at the picture and not looking at the back. Go to some scrapbooking sites and look at their layouts. You might check out their ideas for journaling and see what appeals to you. Each person has different tastes and likes so what you see may inspire you and give you all kinds of new ideas.

It took me years to try my hand at scrapbooking. I hated the first scrapbook I ever did. I look at it now and think it's the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Some day when I have time I think I will rip the pics out and redo it.

You can add a white sticker and write whatever you want on the sticker. I have written on the photos that I send my mom with a permanent marker (fine line) and that seems fine too, although I am not photography major and with time it could be true that the ink bleeds through.