[1] In 1977, the first Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Santa Barbara, California, as a part of the Brooks Institute of Photography.

[4] The IPHF is the first organization worldwide that recognizes significant contributors to the artistic craft and science of photography.

[5] In addition to an extensive collection of photographs and cameras, IPHF offers lectures and other educational opportunities; surrounding all aspects of photography, past, and present, for people of all ages.

In addition to photographs, the museum has a large collection of cameras, darkroom, and studio tools dating back to the late 1800s.

[42] Some of the 19th-century photographic tools include Magic Lanterns, a Praxinoscope Theatre, and an Edison Projecting Kinetoscope.