  The photoproduction of $\gamma p \to K^+ \Sigma^0(1385)$ is investigated
based on an effective Lagrangian approach using the tree-level Born
approximation, with the purpose of understanding the reaction mechanisms and
resonance contents and their associated parameters in this reaction. In
addition to the $t$-channel $K$ and $K^\ast(892)$ exchanges, $s$-channel
nucleon ($N$) exchange, $u$-channel $\Lambda$ exchange, and generalized contact
term, the exchanges of a minimum number of $N$ and $\Delta$ resonances in the
$s$ channel are taken into account in constructing the reaction amplitudes to
describe the experimental data. It is found that the most recent differential
cross-section data from the CLAS Collaboration can be well reproduced by
including one of the $N(1895){1/2}^-$, $\Delta(1900){1/2}^-$, and
$\Delta(1930){5/2}^-$ resonances. The reaction mechanisms of $\gamma p \to K^+
\Sigma^0(1385)$ are discussed in detail, and the predictions of the beam and
target asymmetries for this reaction are given. The cross sections of $\gamma p
\to K^0 \Sigma^+(1385)$ are shown to be able to further constrain the
theoretical models and pin down the resonance contents for $\gamma p \to K^+
\Sigma^0(1385)$.
