Documentary (1850s–1970s)
"Documentary" is the largest category in the Kinsey collection with 50,000 images of Stanhopes, commercial, fine art, and amateur photographs. Featured artists include Al Urban, Bob Mizer, Maurice Seymour, Albert Arthur Allen, John Alexander Scott Coutts, and Paula Klaw.

Modern fine art
"Modern fine art" comprises thousands of prints by known photographers. They include Judy Dater, Tom Bianchi, Irving Penn, Pierre et Gilles, Herb Ritts, and Mariette Pathy Allen. Many photographs were donated to the Kinsey Institute by collectors or the artists themselves.

Postcard & stereo card (1900s–mid-1920s)
This category has more than 1,600 photographs in the 3" x 5" postcard format. Primarily produced in Paris, many of these sepia-toned and hand-colored gelatin silver prints feature a single female model (nude or wearing lingerie) in an interior setting. The institute is also home to stereo cards, cartes de visites, and cabinet cards.

George Platt Lynes (1930–1955)
During his lifetime, George Platt Lynes (1907-1955) was known as a premier portrait and fashion photographer most celebrated for his artistic representations of the male nude. The institute owns one of the largest collections of Lynes' photographs, with 590 original prints and nearly 2,000 vintage negatives. 

William Dellenback (1949–early 1950s)
William Dellenback worked as staff photographer for the Institute of Sex Research (ISR). The Dellenback archive contains thousands of photographs, negatives (film and glass plate), slides, and other photographic materials documenting ISR's research. 

Amateur albums (mid-20th century)
Collected by individuals for personal use, the amateur albums contain photographs, clippings, and other printed materials. Content varies with snapshots from cross-dressing parties, commercial erotic photographs, and portraits of female impersonators.