To cite an image properly, you generally need two components: an in-text citation and a full reference entry. The exact format depends on the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) and where you accessed the image (website, book, museum, etc.).
Key Elements for Citing an Image
- Creator/author of the image (artist, photographer)
- Year of creation or publication
- Title of the image (italicized or in quotation marks depending on style)
- Format or description of the image (e.g., photograph, painting)
- Source or container (website, book, museum, database)
- URL or location if accessed online or physically viewed
How to Cite an Image in Major Styles
APA Style
- Reference entry format for an image found online: Author, A. A. (Year).Title of image [Format]. Site Name. URL
- Example: Reis, L. (2021). Northern cardinal female at Lake Meyer Park IA 653A2079 [Photograph]. Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/2kNpoXB
- In-text citation: (Reis, 2021)
- For artwork viewed in person, include museum and location: Kahlo, F. (1940). Self-portrait with cropped hair [Painting]. Museum of Modern Art, New York City, NY, United States. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78333
- In-text citation: (Kahlo, 1940)
MLA Style
- Works Cited entry for an image found online: Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of Image.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.
- Example: Reis, Larry. “Northern Cardinal Female at Lake Meyer Park IA 653A2079.” Flickr , 22 Mar. 2021, https://flic.kr/p/2kNpoXB.
- In-text citation: (Reis)
- For images viewed in person: Kahlo, Frida. “Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair.” 1940, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Additional Notes
- If the image has no title, use a brief descriptive phrase in place of the title (in brackets for APA, without brackets for MLA).
- When including the image itself in your work, label it as a figure with a caption and include copyright/permission information if required.
- Do not cite image search engines (like Google Images); cite the original source website of the image.
- For images you took yourself, cite as a personal collection.
Example of citing a photograph you took (MLA):
Doe, Jane. Cats being fed. 11 Aug. 2001. Author’s personal collection.
Summary
Choose the citation style required by your institution or discipline and be consistent. Always include creator, title, date, format, source, and location or URL. Use in-text citations alongside full reference entries. When displaying the image, use figure labels and captions with proper credit and permissions.
