How to cite images and visual works in APA 7

References and in-text citations for images and visual works

This guide shows how to create the APA reference and in-text citations for paintings, sculptures, photographs, stock images, infographics, maps, slides, and retrievable lecture notes.

The reference always needs a bracketed description of the medium or format. This description helps readers distinguish a photograph from a painting, map, or presentation.

Basic structure

Author or Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of work [Medium]. Museum, Archive, or Website. URL

When the work has no title, replace it with a description in square brackets. For a physical artwork, include the museum and location. For an online image, add the website and URL.

Online photograph example

The names, details, and address are illustrative.

Reference

Quintero, S. M. (2022). Students in the central library [Photograph]. University Visual Archive. https://example.com/archive/photograph-204

Parenthetical citationThe source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

(Quintero, 2022)

Narrative citationThe author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Quintero (2022)

Maps, slides, and reproduced images

An untitled dynamic map needs a bracketed description and retrieval date because it may change. Slides or notes in a learning management system may include the site name and login URL when the intended readers have access.

Citing an image does not automatically grant permission to reproduce it. When placing the image in your paper, also check whether permission or a copyright attribution is required.

More visual work examples

All names, works, and addresses are illustrative.

Artwork in a museum

Reference

Medina, R. (2018). Readers at noon [Painting]. Museum of Contemporary Art, Bogotá, Colombia.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Medina, 2018)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Medina (2018)

Clip art

Reference

Classroom Vector. (2021). Open books on a table [Clip art]. Open Images. https://example.com/clipart/books

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Classroom Vector, 2021)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Classroom Vector (2021)

Stock image

Reference

Paredes, N. (2022). Student taking notes in a library [Stock photograph]. Open Visual Bank. https://example.com/stock/student

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Paredes, 2022)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Paredes (2022)

Infographic

Reference

Writing Lab. (2024). A path for checking a reference [Infographic]. Central University. https://example.com/infographics/references

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Writing Lab, 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Writing Lab (2024)

Dynamic map

Reference

Higher Education Observatory. (n.d.). [Map of universities by region]. Retrieved August 4, 2026, from https://example.com/maps/universities

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Higher Education Observatory, n.d.)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Higher Education Observatory (n.d.)

Presentation slides

Reference

Cabrera, P. L. (2024). How to develop a research question [PowerPoint slides]. Metropolitan University Learning Platform. https://example.com/classroom/questions

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Cabrera, 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Cabrera (2024)

Lecture notes

Reference

Cabrera, P. L. (2024). Notes on research problems and questions [Lecture notes]. Metropolitan University Learning Platform. https://example.com/classroom/question-notes

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Cabrera, 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Cabrera (2024)

How to check the reference

• You identified the author or artist.
• You added the medium or format in square brackets.
• You described an untitled work instead of inventing a title.
• You included the museum, archive, or website and URL when appropriate.
• The citation uses the author surname or name and year.

Return to the APA reference types.