How to Cite a Photograph in APA Format

Citing a photograph in APA format requires the photographer’s name, year, title or description, collection or source name, and URL (if accessed online). Photographs may come from museums, archives, stock image sites, or the web.

Basic Photograph Citation Format

The standard APA 7th edition format for a photograph citation is:

Reference list entry:

Photographer, A. A. (Year). Title of photograph [Photograph]. Collection or Museum Name. https://www.example.com/photo

Parenthetical in-text citation: (Photographer, Year)

Narrative in-text citation: Photographer (Year)

In-Text Citation Examples

When you reference a photograph within your paper, you have two options:

• Parenthetical: The image captured the devastation of the flood (Adams, 1927).
• Narrative: Adams (1927) captured the devastation of the flood.

Common Variations

Photograph from a Museum or Archive

Lange, D. (1936). Migrant mother [Photograph]. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017762891/

Photograph Found Online

Photographer, A. A. (Year). Title or description of photograph [Photograph]. Website Name. https://www.example.com/photo

Untitled Photograph

If the photograph has no title, provide a description in square brackets without italics.

Adams, A. (1942). [Photograph of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park]. National Archives. https://catalog.archives.gov/example

Tips for Citing Photographs

• Use [Photograph] in square brackets after the title to identify the format.
• Italicize the title of the photograph if it has one. Use a description in brackets if untitled.
• Credit the photographer as the author of the work.
• Include the collection or repository name where the photograph is housed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a stock photo? Use the photographer’s name as the author, the upload year as the date, and the stock photo website as the source. Include the URL.

What if I do not know the photographer? Use the title or description of the photograph in place of the author name. If no title exists, use a brief description in brackets.

Do I need permission to use a photograph in my paper? Citing a photograph is different from reproducing it. If you are including the image in your paper, you may need permission depending on copyright. A citation alone does not require permission.