In the course of your research, you will take many photos, and sometimes, later on, when you want to use them on a website or in a publication, you will find yourself wondering if it is okay for you to publish them.

When selecting photos to go on a website, there was a situation in which artwork had inadvertently been included in the photos. But checking with the contact at the place where the photos were taken resulted in permission to publish the photos and also provided the information to go in the captions.

Particular care is required when you have taken photos at museums or at similar institutions and archives, because there may be issues with copyrights and specific rules and regulations at these facilities.

When taking photos, asking the responsible curator, archivist, or manager if it is okay to use the photos makes things go more smoothly when reconfirming permission later on. However, even if they initially said okay, there are cases where something you cannot publish ends up being included among the artworks or materials you photoed. When you approach the publication stage, it is necessary to contact them again to explain how you plan to use the photos, and in what media, and reconfirm that it is okay. Doing this will prevent problems and also help to build a relationship of trust with the people in question.