Identifying the Photographer — Identifying the Photographer

Identifying the original photographer is a key step in tracing the authentic provenance of a visual asset. Under copyright law, the owner of the copyright determines if, when, where, and how a photograph is published.

The author and initial copyright owner is generally the person who shoots or takes the photo, unless it is created as a work made for hire. Confirming these details helps researchers verify that an image is being used in accordance with the creator's rights.