Start with the image itself
The photographer's name is usually printed or written directly on the photograph, either on the back, in a corner of the print, or on the frame or mat. Check the back first—many photographers stamp or write their name, studio name, and date there. If the photo is framed, look under the mat or on the backing board. For digital images on your computer, right-click the file, select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), then look at the "Details" tab. The photographer's name may appear in the metadata fields labeled "Author," "Creator," or "Copyright."
If you're looking at a printed photograph and see nothing written on it, the image may be older, from an unknown source, or taken by someone who didn't sign their work. This is common with family photos, newspaper clippings, or images found online. In these cases, you'll need to use other methods to track down the photographer.
Key Takeaways
- Check the back of the print, the frame, the mat, and the metadata of digital files first—the photographer's name is often there.
- Reverse image search tools like Google Images, TinEye, and Bing can help you find where a photo was published and who credited it.
- If the photo appears in a book, magazine, or newspaper, look at the photo credits page or the caption near the image.
- For old family photographs, ask relatives, check photo albums for notes, or consult a local historical society or archive.
- If you find a photo online without a name attached, contact the website owner or the person who posted it and ask for the photographer's information.
Use reverse image search for photos found online
If you have a digital image and don't know who took it, reverse image search can show you where else that photo appears online and who may have credited the photographer. Go to Google Images (images.google.com), click the camera icon in the search box, and upload your image or paste its web address. Google will show you every place that image appears online, including sites that may have credited the photographer in a caption or article.
TinEye (tineye.com) and Bing Image Search work the same way. TinEye is especially useful for older or less common images because it searches a different database than Google. If the photo was published on a news site, blog, or stock photo platform, one of these tools will usually find it and show you the original source and the photographer's name.
Check photo credits in published sources
If you found the photograph in a book, magazine, newspaper, or online article, look for a photo credit near the image itself. Most publications print the photographer's name in small text below or beside the photo, or in a caption. If there's no credit visible, check the front or back of the book for a "Photo Credits" or "Permissions" page—many publishers list all photographers there by page number.
For newspaper and magazine photos, the credit line usually reads "Photo by [Name]" or "[Name]/[Publication Name]." Online articles often include the photographer's name in the image caption or in a byline. If you can't find it in the publication itself, contact the publication directly—editors and photo departments keep records of who took every image they published.
Ask relatives and check family records for old photographs
For family photographs without a name attached, start by asking relatives who may remember who took the photo or when it was taken. Older family members often recall whether a photo was taken by a professional studio, a family member, or a friend. Once you know the approximate date and location, you can narrow down who it might be.
Look through old photo albums, letters, and documents for notes written on the back or in margins. Family Bibles, scrapbooks, and photo boxes sometimes contain handwritten information about photographers. If the photo appears to be from a professional studio, look for a studio name or mark on the print—many studios stamped their name on the front or back. You can then search for that studio's history in your local area or online.
Contact local historical societies and archives
If you have an old photograph of local interest—a building, street scene, event, or landmark—your city or county historical society may be able to identify the photographer. These organizations maintain archives of local photographs and often have records of photographers who worked in the area. Many also have volunteers who specialize in identifying old images.
Contact your local library's local history department or the county historical society with a description of the photo and, if possible, a scan or copy. Include any information you know: the approximate date, location, subject, and any marks or text on the photo. They may recognize the photographer's style, studio mark, or the photo itself from their collections.
Search for the photographer's name if you have a partial clue
If you know part of the photographer's name, a studio name, or the city where the photo was taken, you can search online for photographers who worked in that area and time period. Try searching "[Studio Name] photographer [City]" or "[Photographer Last Name] [City] photography." Historical photography databases, genealogy sites, and old business directories sometimes list photographers by location and era.
If the photo has a studio mark or watermark, search for that exact name online. Many historic photography studios have been documented by local historians or have surviving records online. Ancestry.com and FamilySearch also index old city directories and business records that list photographers by name and address.
Contact the website or social media account where you found it
If you found the photo on a website, blog, social media account, or online gallery without a photographer's name, send a message to the person or organization that posted it. Most website owners and social media users will respond to a polite request for photo credits. They may have the photographer's information even if they didn't include it in the post.
For images on stock photo sites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay, the photographer's name and profile are usually listed on the image page itself. For images on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, check the caption and comments—sometimes the photographer is tagged or mentioned there. If not, message the account holder directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the photographer's name in a digital photo's metadata?
Right-click the image file on your computer and select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac). Open the "Details" tab and look for fields labeled "Author," "Creator," "Copyright," or "Artist." Not all photos have this information—it depends on whether the photographer or the camera added it when the file was created or edited.
What if reverse image search doesn't find the photo anywhere online?
The photo may be old, rare, or never published online. Try asking in photography forums, local community groups, or subreddits related to your area or the photo's subject. You can also contact local photographers, studios, or historical societies directly with a description and scan of the image.
Can I use a photo if I can't find out who took it?
No. If you cannot identify the photographer, you cannot legally use the photo without permission. The photographer owns the copyright even if their name isn't visible. If you want to use the photo, keep searching for the photographer or contact a lawyer about fair use in your specific situation.
Where do I look for credits in old books and magazines?
Check the front matter (pages at the very beginning), the back matter (pages at the very end), and any page labeled "Photo Credits," "Permissions," "Acknowledgments," or "About the Images." Some books list credits by page number; others list them by photographer name. If you can't find a credits page, look at the caption directly below or beside the photo.
What should I do if a photographer's name is misspelled or incomplete?
Search for variations of the name and the correct spelling if you know it. Contact the publication or source where you found the photo—they usually have the correct spelling in their records. If the photo is old, the name may have been spelled differently at the time it was taken, so try searching for both versions.