First-Party and Official Records — First-Party and Official Records

When attempting to confirm who is associated with a property photograph, researchers must consider official ownership records. For photographic works, the initial copyright owner is generally the person who took the photo, unless it was created as a work made for hire.

If created as a work made for hire, the employer or commissioning party is considered the author and owner. Understanding these ownership distinctions helps clarify who controls and distributes the visual evidence.