Avoid Unsupported Inferences

Researchers should avoid making sweeping assumptions about a family's history based solely on a single photograph. The U.S. Copyright Office notes that a photograph reflects specific creative choices, such as camera angle, lighting, and timing, rather than a complete factual record. Because a photo captures only a single artistic moment, it should not be treated as definitive proof of complex historical relationships or events. Instead, visual evidence should be evaluated alongside documented primary sources to avoid unsupported inferences.