This post explains the practice generally and is no substitute for legal advice. The specific license terms of the respective image are always binding.
Why the image credit can be mandatory
An image credit looks like a courtesy — but is often a legal obligation. If you use someone else's image, you do so under a license, and many licenses expressly require attribution. If it's missing or wrong, the use is no longer covered by the license — and that's one of the most common triggers for cease-and-desist claims. The image credit is therefore not decoration but part of the right of use.
What belongs in a complete credit
A good source credit answers three questions: who, from where, under what permission?
- Author: the name of the photographer or artist (or the username on the platform).
- Source: the platform or website the image comes from — often with a link.
- License: the specific license (e.g. "CC BY 4.0"), for Creative Commons usually with a link to the license.
A typical form: "Photo: First Last / Platform / License". The exact wording isn't a matter of taste — it's in the license terms and can differ from portal to portal.
The most common mistake
The most underestimated point is that a mere link to the photographer isn't enough. Many licenses — Creative Commons above all — additionally require:
- naming the license itself and a link to it;
- a note on whether the image was modified;
- sometimes the original title of the work.
Write only "Photo: John Doe" and you may not have met the condition. The details of these licenses are in Understanding Creative Commons licenses.
Where the credit belongs
The safest place is right at the image — as a caption. Practically all licenses accept that. A collected credit (in an imprint, on a dedicated image-credits page) is allowed under some licenses, insufficient under others. When in doubt: right at the image is never wrong.
Special cases
- Your own photos: no credit needed — you're the author.
- "Royalty-free" stock images: "royalty-free" doesn't mean "without conditions". Attribution can be required here too; the pitfalls are covered in Stock photo license traps.
- Public domain / CC0: no attribution required — but a source credit is still good style and never hurts.
- AI-generated images: their own rules, depending on the service and terms of use; the basics are in Image rights 2026.
The simple basic rule
Before you use someone else's image, read the license — and write the credit exactly as it requires. That costs two minutes and, in case of doubt, saves an expensive claim. If you're unsure whether an image may be used at all, choose your own photo or an image with a clear, documented license.
Frequently asked questions
How do I credit an image source correctly?
A complete credit usually names the author (photographer/artist), the source/platform, and the license — often in the form 'Photo: Name / Platform / License'. The exact wording is dictated by the respective license; many stock portals and Creative Commons licenses require a specific format including a link.
Do I always have to give a source?
Not for your own photos. For third-party images it depends on the license: many require attribution, some don't. If the required credit is missing, that's a license violation — and one of the most common reasons for claims. When in doubt, crediting is safer than omitting.
Where do I place the image credit?
Right at the image (a caption) is safest and accepted by most licenses. A collected credit in an imprint or on an image-credits page is permissible under some licenses, insufficient under others. What's required is stated in the license terms.
Is linking to the photographer enough?
Not necessarily. Some licenses additionally require naming the license itself (e.g. 'CC BY 4.0') and a link to it, plus a note on whether the image was modified. A mere link to the photographer doesn't automatically meet all conditions — the license dictates the details.
Sources
Creative Commons — Attribution FAQ · WIPO — Copyright (moral rights).