Photographer/Lore

Overview

Lore

Cosmetics

Gallery

Don't be fooled by his elegance, or you might become an item in his collection in a split second. —Anniversary Tales Collection Booklet

Joseph Desaulniers
Name	Joseph Desaulniers
Alias(es)	Photographer
Gender	Male
Career	Former Count Desaulniers
Character Details
Character Day	March 11th (Claude Desaulniers' Deathday)
Age	17 (Appearance) 60 (Actual Age)
Social Class	Nobility (Count)
Traits	Stubborn, wistful, arrogant, elegant
Talents	Painting, Dancing, Fencing
Interests	Photography
Likes	Autumn, Silverware
Dislikes	Damp Objects, Summer
Story Details
Status	Unknown
Connected Characters	Major: Amanda Gaddis Minor: Claude Desaulniers Elliot Macaulay Mr. Leroux Elliot's Nephew

Joseph Desaulniers, also known as the Photographer, is one of the 34 playable Hunters added to Identity V.

This page is a compilation of lore and story content for this character.

Backstory

Character Introduction

Joseph Desaulniers was once a respected local squire—rich, elegant, and with a charming foreign accent. Many were willing to model for the sake of this gentleman's interesting hobby. However, as Joseph's photography became more prolific, the population of the village began to thin. It seemed that this photographer was taking something more than mere pictures with his camera.

Character Relations Menu

Joseph Desaulniers was once a respected local squire—rich, elegant, and with a charming foreign accent.

Many were willing to model for the sake of this gentleman's interesting hobby. However, as Joseph's photography became more prolific, the population of the village began to thin.

It seemed that this photographer was taking something more than mere pictures with his camera.

Official News Backstory

Joseph's Photo Story
On the way from France to England with his parents, Joseph lost his brother. Tormented by the heartache, one day he came across a machine that could preserve images forever. Thinking that he had found a way to stop the passing of time, he began to record everything with the machine. The images were able to show reality clearly and as it was. However, as time passed, he realized that what was left in the photographs was only an image, and that real objects and people would all decay and decay. Just like his brother. Joseph wanted to preserve real objects and people forever. He wanted the world in the photographs to "live".

So he became absorbed in the so-called "psychology" and began to make strange modifications to his camera. One day, he declared to a close friend that he had found a way to preserve souls in photographs. Everyone thought that he had finally gone crazy with old age, but the people who Joseph had photographed disappeared one after another, and the situation became more and more serious.

By the time a frightened and panicked crowd broke into Joseph's house, the photographer was nowhere to be seen, and his workroom was filled with lifelike portraits, the people in them looking out at them as if they were staring out from within the photograph.

Deduction Quests

All completed Objectives reward the player with +335 Logic points for the Logic Path. After the character's deductions are completed, their Worn Clothes will be available.

Press "Collapse" to hide the deduction path.

Deduction Quests Conclusion 1. Going Against: Trying to go back to the past is always difficult. Basic Objective: Vault through 2 window[sic] Advanced Objective 1: Vault through 3 windows Advanced Objective 2: Vault through 4 windows Damaged Clipping: From the King... In light of the mutual trust and reciprocal love between the sovereign and his subjects, effective remedies for the country’s malaise should be provided as soon as possible... Ensure public happiness to rediscover the peace and tranquillity that we have long been deprived of. The national conference will be held in the... palace. 2. Revolution: They howled, and their torches lit up the sky. Basic Objective: Hit Survivors with a charged attack 1 time Advanced Objective 1: Hit Survivors with a charged attack 1 times[sic] Advanced Objective 2: Hit Survivors with a charged attack 2 times Diary 1: We all love a fireplace in winter when the fire is bright and warm. But when it wreaks havoc on the streets, we realize that what's common in life can turn into something completely different. 3. Memories: The most alarming of all is oblivion and destruction. Basic Objective: Trample 1 pallet Advanced Objective 1: Trample 2 pallets Advanced Objective 2: Trample 3 pallets Damaged Portrait: A pair of smiling twin brothers standing in the middle of the young couple. 4. Exile: We are here because of the will of the people, and we will only be driven away by the bayonet. Basic Objective: Activate Camera 1 time Advanced Objective 1: Activate Camera 2 times Advanced Objective 2: Activate Camera 3 times Diary 2: Claude coughed so much that he could hardly sleep. Father said to wait for just another month and we would arrive. 5. Loss: I want him to come back. Basic Objective: Enter Camera World 2 time[sic] Advanced Objective 1: Enter Camera World 3 times Advanced Objective 2: Enter Camera World 4 times Perfect Portrait: An expressionless young man standing in the middle of a middle-aged couple. 6. Dark Box: It can project the scenery outside the box into the box, forming a reverse image with opposite sides. Basic Objective: Hit Survivors in Camera World 3 time[sic] Advanced Objective 1: Hit Survivors in Camera World 4 times Advanced Objective 2: Hit Survivors in Camera World 5 times Diary 3: Beautiful but fleeting. Even the most advanced painting techniques cannot perfectly reproduce the scene in the Black Box. Perhaps this is the limit of humans. As living things, we grow, age, fall ill, and eventually decay. Claude, my end is very much like yours. 7. Rumor: "Not knowing" is much scarier than "terrible". Basic Objective: Utilize projection to cause 1 Survivor to become incapacitated when the Camera World merges with reality Advanced Objective 1: Utilize projection to cause 2 Survivors to become incapacitated when the Camera World merges with reality Advanced Objective 2: Utilize projection to cause 3 Survivors to become incapacitated when the Camera World merges with reality Diary 4: The maids and workers have recently become strange. It seems that they're whispering about something and more of them are taking sick leave. Lacking help from others, the experiment had to be put on hold because of the uncontrollable shaking of both my hands and feet. Claude, I can sense the approach of old age. 8. Corrode: Light is the best brush. Basic Objective: Place 1 Survivor on a Rocket Chair in Camera World Advanced Objective 1: Place 2 Survivors on a Rocket Chair in Camera World Advanced Objective 2: Place 3 Survivors on a Rocket Chair in Camera World Damaged Lab Notes:... Silver nitrate can be replaced by silver chloride. The paper coated with silver chloride should be continuously placed in the dark box.... Blur... Asphalt... 9. Develop: This reveals things that are not visible to the naked eye. Basic Objective: Use Time Jump to go back in time and hit Survivors 1 time Advanced Objective 1: Use Time Jump to go back in time and hit Survivors 2 times Advanced Objective 2: Use Time Jump to go back in time and hit Survivors 3 times Damaged Lab Notes 2:... The fumigation effect of mercury vapor is unexpected. Even ordinary workers can do the same... 10. Fear: It drives us crazy. Basic Objective: Hit Survivors after switching the world 3 times Advanced Objective 1: Hit Survivors after switching the world 5 times Advanced Objective 2: Hit Survivors after switching the world 7 times Damaged Clipping:... Joseph Desaulniers... is missing. Workers and maids claim that the mansion was cursed by the missing old man. Rumor In Joseph's eyes, every photograph is a mark in time.

Letters

This section contains the letters received after completing all quests part of the Photographer's Character Day event on March 11th each year. After the event they can be accessed in the file section of the character's Notebook page.

• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025

Photographer Letters
Lore Connections
Mentioned NPC's	Claude Desaulniers

An Unsent Letter (2020)

Dear Claude,
It didn't rain today, yet it's chilly, just like the day you left.
I'm sitting in my study, many years after, writing a letter that will never be delivered. It seems silly, but I can't control myself today.
You and I spent all the seasons together, year after year, until that winter.
The roads began to steepen, yet you were waiting for spring to come with hope while the horrible angel of death awaited.
He took you with him and left. He took many with him and left, to a world I couldn't go nor understand.
I even began to blame myself. Why did I survive in this freezing spring?
I missed you, my dear brother. Yet when I stand in front of the mirror, day by day, the face looking back at me has begun to feel foreign. How do I obtain memories that even time can't take away? Will I remember you forever? Will I remember the people I love and admire forever?
You'll never answer me now. My heart broke when I came to such a realization.
You said spring will always come, just like the clouds can never block the sun's brilliance.
From that day onward, I could never enjoy spring without you.
What must I remember? Someone must remember.
Those disasters, those illnesses, those lives lost, those people who should have welcomed spring with us...
I want to remember them all.

Your brother,
Joseph

Photographer Letters
Lore Connections
Mentioned NPC's	Elliot Macaulay

The Last Letter (2021)

Elliot, my friend:
I have made up my mind. You can save your breath.
She must be still alive somewhere in this manor. I'll find her and get her out. Not to mention that I've already gained the butler's trust. I can't just back out at this point.
However, just as you predicted, this is no ordinary manor. As for that staggering old gentleman, his gentle smile is just a facade.

He spends an hour in the studio every day looking at those papers with doodles without a word. I checked out those papers in secret and found nothing special about them, except that the doodles were drawn by the same person. It's someone called Claude, yet whenever I tried to bring him up in conversations, everyone in the manor became evasive.

Apart from the time he spend in the studio, the old man seldom leaves the darkroom in the basement. As you know, that's where he processed his photographs. Yet no matter how passionate he is about photography, the hours he spends down there are simply too long.
I also found out that he wasn't this crazy in the past. Things took a turn when he came back from a journey to somewhere far away. No one knows what happened during the trip, save that he brought back with him a number of mysterious books. From then on, the old man spent all days in the darkroom and shut everyone out. I think that's also when old people and children began to go missing in town.
Something's up with this place. No one will believe otherwise!
The thing is, no one in this manor has ever questioned or discussed this! Perhaps their fear of the unknown trumps their curiosity, or the master's command trumps all?
Anyway, I'll slip into the darkroom tomorrow night. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm determined to open that door...

All the best,
Macaulay

Photographer Letters
Lore Connections
Mentioned NPC's	Claude Desaulniers Elliot

A Diary Made from Stationery Paper (2022)

As the tangerine sun sinks below the horizon, it casts a fragments light upon the dried remains of fallen fruit. The world continues along its immutable cycle of seasons, as predictable as the constellations in the skies above...
The vicissitudes of life bring meaning to all existence and fill it with a glamor that persists even beyond death's inevitable call. Endless routine only makes us lose our passion for the new and the unknown. For some reason, these are the thoughts that have filled my waking moments as of late.
Perhaps it has been too long since I ventured out of the mirror's realm, and I have yet to ascertain the truth of the world around me.
Like a man who yearns for greener pastures yet fails to realize the beauty and merit of fields lie beneath his feet...
Or perhaps, it is simply that more and more people react to the mirror far differently than I expected. They say that even if you are undeniably correct, you will still doubt yourself if the entire world curses your name.
I distinctly recall a young man from many years ago by the name of Eckhart... Or was it Elliot? Or maybe Elton...? It matters not. He was not the first to take offense to my experimentation, but he was certainly the most rational and vocal about it.
I had no desire to listen to his sermons about the deceased or the meaning of life and time. The longer I live, however, the more I find myself recalling his words.
Why? Why don't they understand? Life is a gift, a wondrous blessing that should end as poetically as it begins. For this reason, when a person faces their own end, they should be grateful, even ecstatic, at the opportunity to have their final moments immortalized.
Why do so many choose to grow old, to lose their youthful beauty, to struggle helplessly in the knowledge that their souls will never find peace... All this is beyond me.
Could it be that my experiment truly is flawed?
Indeed, there is but one thing, and one thing alone, that could make me acknowledge the failure of my endeavors.
And that would be... If you never came back to me.
You, who lies so near and yet so far away who can only smile and laugh silently as I toil in solitude.
No... My experiment is not flawed. It is proceeding swimmingly; I need only wait patiently, and everything will come full circle soon enough.
When that day finally comes, and you finish reading up to this point perhaps then you can tell me Claude... In which year you were in my photograph, eternally?

Photographer Letters
Lore Connections
Mentioned NPC's	Claude Desaulniers

A Yellowed Photograph (2023)

(A young man is faintly visible in the photograph, and the following is written on the back:)
My dear brother Claude,
The mixed colors of the sun grow increasingly dazzling. It is swallowing my vision and blurring your image. My heart is only ever truly calm when I hold you tight in the darkroom.
I greedily inhale the mercury vapor around me. They allow me to immerse myself in the "Eternal Kingdom" and enjoy the only beauty in reality. Sometimes, they even let me see you for a fleeting moment.
The people around me slowly vanished until only one remained, and even his life is clearly running out. The experiment had to be paused... Perhaps it was never reversible...
Some catalysts are required for two-way feedback, just as a photograph requires the exposure and development of photosensitive substances to be seen.
Perhaps destiny is mocking me for being helpless when you needed me... And this rare opportunity came late in my final years.
It may be late... But if I can complete this sacred ritual, then your frozen face will smile again. The camera obscura and your photographs are the few things I must take with me. As for the other faces, time, memories, and decades of inventions, I shall leave them in this mansion to keep the "Eternal Kingdom" safe.
Perhaps I should dress up as a young gentleman and take your appearance — All obstructors will be archived.

Photographer Letters

A Message (2024)

The icy cold, deathly silent, yet eternally fragrant rose garden still ceaselessly seeks the "nourishment" of sin. He has never given up on fostering new life from decay and poverty. In the end, the "Eternal" promised him more time and pain, and it revealed to him that things can only be retained, not recovered.

Photographer Letters
Lore Connections
Mentioned Playable Characters	Alice DeRoss
Mentioned NPC's	Elliot Elliot's Nephew Macaulay Mr. Leroux

Joseph Desaulniers: Investigation Field Notes I (2025)

There were several optical devices still resting in the corner of the chamber. Given that all the files in this place were stored systematically, I assumed the files for the experiment participants would be in the small locker beneath them. To my surprise, I found several undeveloped negatives instead. On top of the first stack of photos was a note in small print: Joseph Desaulniers.
The name didn't appear on the list of missing persons, but it struck a chord. Thankfully, I found the notes I'd been searching for in my briefcase when I returned home. Desaulniers had come up during my investigation into one of the missing persons. His name was also tied to a mystery involving a freelance journalist friend of mine:
It all began with the disappearance of Macaulay, a close friend of my friend's uncle. Macaulay had worked for an elderly Frenchman at a manor, but one night, everyone in the manor vanished. The clues all pointed to the old man, yet the local police never managed to track him down, nor could they gather enough evidence to make an arrest. Over time, the investigation stalled as the chain of evidence was compromised, and the case was eventually marked as "cold." My friend's uncle, however, was relentless. For years, he kept pushing to reopen the case. It almost became an obsession. After decades of searching, my friend's uncle finally unearthed a clue-a letter hidden by an errand boy in the village. The letter revealed that Macaulay had known of the impending danger and had written for help. Along with the letter, Macaulay had sent an optical device invented by the old Frenchman. The problem was that the errand boy tasked with delivering the package had misappropriated it. He sold it to a man named Mr. Leroux in the city for a mere seven shillings. The letter never reached my friend's uncle, and he lost a crucial piece of evidence that could have tied Desaulniers to the crime.
As for my friend, it's unclear whether he was motivated by a desire to carry on his uncle's work, or whether it was the allure of the optical device that kept him searching. At first, I thought he was chasing a wild goose. But, as is often the case, fate has a way of intervening. During a work trip to the Netherlands, where he was conducting interviews about a prison break at the Het Arresthuis prison, he stumbled across Mr. Leroux's location by pure chance.
(A well-preserved letter is glued below this paragraph. The paper is slightly aged, and the handwriting is markedly different.)
On the sixth day of my investigation, I wrapped up work early and decided to take a much-needed break, I'd heard about an optical exhibition nearby-a novelty show where images were projected using a mechanical device called a slide projector. Naturally, I couldn't pass it up.
After the exhibition, I hoped to speak with the operator of the slide show, but the old man had already left.
"Mr. Leroux is quite reclusive," my acquaintance remarked. "I doubt he'd agree to an interview."
That name... Leroux. I was sure I'd misheard. "Leroux? That doesn't sound like a local name."
My acquaintance confirmed my suspicion. "He's French. Heard he ran into some trouble back home. Came here to focus on his... 'optical illusion' research."
I don't even remember how I got back to the hotel after that conversation. All I could think was: I've found him.
"A city dweller, moving to a village by chance?" I thought to myself. No—that was too much of a coincidence. He had acquired Desaulniers's device before the incident, erased all traces of his past, and then moved to the Netherlands. The connection was clear. Leroux must have known Desaulniers. He might even know what happened that night.
I'll visit the projectionist tomorrow. It's time to dig deeper.

Letter Summaries

These summaries are found in the Character Relations menu after the letter has been received.

An Unsent Letter A letter Joseph wrote to Claude, expressing his longing for his brother. The Last Letter In the letter, the writer noticed something wrong with Joseph and planned to sneak into Joseph's basement to investigate. A Diary Made From Stationary Paper In the diary, Joseph admitted that his experiments had not succeeded because he still couldn't meet Claude again. A Yellowed Photograph The back of the photo bears Joseph's message to Claude before the "ritual." Joseph's Portrait A message related to Joseph is inscribed on the back of the portrait.

Rewards

How many years the player has participated and completed the Character Day Event determines which letter they receive and the extra reward.

• If this is the first time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait for the character and the 2020 letter.
• If this is the second time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait frame and the 2021 letter.
• If this is the third time the player has completed the event, they would get a dynamic graffiti and the 2022 letter.
• If this is the fourth time the player has completed the event, they would get an emote and the 2023 letter.
• If this is the fifth time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait furnishing of the character and the 2024 letter.
• If this is the sixth time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait and the 2025 letter.

2020 Portrait

2021 Portrait Frame

2022 Dynamic Graffiti

2023 Emote

2024 Furniture

2025 Portrait

Character Resources

The additional in-game and external documents for this character include:

• Character Relations
• Quotes & Media
• Event Appearances
• Mentions
• Past Resources

The Character Relations Web shows Photographer's connections to other characters.

Personality Quiz Results

Fortune Quiz (DaShen)

Fortune: Small blessing

The highly self-regulated you follows all the rules and has high standards for yourself. Likewise, your standards are never lowered when faced with others; you like being around people who excel at self-control, and you cannot befriend those who cannot exhibit high levels of discipline. You are hardworking and the model child in the eyes of others, but you may often forget about socializing due to your dedication to studying.

Halloween Quiz (DaShen)

You are similar to the photographer. You are a natural aristocrat, talented in your most unique ways, elegant, adored by others. But just like him, you allow the expectations of others to mold your actions - and you, overly pressured by such situations, wish to escape. Sometimes, you would rather be a blooming rose standing solitarily.

Your social health surpasses 92% of quiz-takers

Character Day Questions

Only the questions and answers relating to his backstory were included here. The other questions not listed relate to gameplay.

• 2022 Character Day questions:
  • Question 4: "What is the name of Joseph's deceased brother?" Answer: "Claude"
  • Question 5: "What was Joseph's favorite reading subject before he went missing?" Answer: "Mysticism"

• 2023 Character Day questions:
  • Question 4: "What is Joseph's nationality?" Answer: "French"
  • Question 5: "Which of the following is not a skill of Joseph's?" Answer: "Business"

5th Character Day Clues

Portrait - Photographer

1. An elegant and proud young noble who has made a habit of restraining his emotions.
2. As the shadows of the hunched old man and the youth overlap, the irreconcilable gap between age and youth is revealed.
3. A sophisticated suit with embroidery that shows signs of being touched up. It must be an old suit from decades ago.
4. The old negative seems to impact the image of the child in the photo, making him look illusory and stiff.
5. A camera with clear signs of wear and maintenance. Perhaps it has captured the vivid image of many subjects.

Quotations

• Chinese First Anniversary (2019) quote:
  • "Every scene of the manor has been recorded by me, thank you for coming, it is you who add beauty and vitality to these photos."
• 2nd Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
  • "The Second Anniversary is indeed a day worth remembering.
    Do you want to keep the beauty of this moment?
    Of course, it's my pleasure-
    Miss in the first row, please lean to the left."
• Deduction Star 2019 quote:
  • "Here, madam, let me take a memorable photo for you!"
• Deduction Star 2020 quotes:
  • "Take a photo and I can have its most beautiful disposition."
  • "Photos can make memorable things last forever."
  • "Can I take a photo of you, beautiful lady?"
• Character Day Merchandise 2021:
  • "It’s not that I’ve sealed off my emotions.
    I’ve just left the faint memory of a pure heart in that twilight."
• Deduction Star 2021 quotes:
  • "No one can say for sure whether it's the actor or the audience who's entered the story."
  • "Union isn't the beginning, and separation isn't the end."
  • "Truths and lies, reality and imagination - it's all the same on stage and off."
• Nymph Awards 2022 quotes:
  • "Can I have some French desserts? A true gentleman should have a decent taste for things."
  • "You've made the right choice."
• Valentine's Day 2023 Cards:
  • "Happiness is precious because it's fleeting. If you want, I can immortalize our time together with my camera."
  • "My taste buds never give in to inferior desserts, so your card... Well, I'll just accept it.
    
  • Would you like to taste some of my French desserts? You're always welcome on this special occasion."
• 5th Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
  • "Thank you for the invitation and congratulations to Oletus Manor. Happy 5th annniversary! I treasure the group photos every year. Would you like me to take the picture for everyone this time?"
• 2023 X'mas Fan Meeting & Autumn IJL Playoffs ribbon quote:
  • "Merry Christmas! Let's take a photo to commemorate Christmas.
    Are you ready? 3.2.1!"
• 6th Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
  • "Happy 6th anniversary! It is an honour to be part of this event. Are you ready? It's up to me to leave you all with a precious group photo."
• Qixi Festival 2024 Wishing Star quote:
  • "Does moonlight hold the power to turn back time?
    If such a thing were true, I'd wish to return to the time when you were still here."
• Autumn Harvest Tavern Guestbook quote:
  • "Perhaps these vibrant colors can bring new life to that long-standing emptiness."
• 7th Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
  • "The smiles and memories captured in photographs are the closest we have to "eternity."
    This year, as always, let's preserve this beautiful moment of togetherness."
• Nymph Awards 2025 quote:
  • "This moment of light and joy? It's worth freezing in time, whether it's real or not."
• New Year's 2026 quote:
  • "Light will keep flowing beyond the lens. May the one frozen in the shot smile outside the frame as well."

Reply Web Events

Reply Web Events
Icon	Event	Quote
	Valentine's Day 2021	"In the depth of the chocolate, I saw that you have your true intentions. How about, until the last place Will you expose me?"
	Halloween 2021	"Hmm ... what should I do ...? I'm not free these days either. It's a joke to see you off this time. You invited me It's called Yabo to refuse. And the person who imitates me You seem to be at a party. Fufu ... If you say you're not interested, don't lie ..."
	Valentine's Day 2022	"A gentleman of a good taste should take good care of every gift he receives, even it's too much... just kidding. I will take it seriously of course."
	Halloween 2022	ᴑ‿ゝᴑ [Chinese]: "The honored guests come here tonight, and the mere candy doesn't seem like the earl's hospitality is not good enough. In order for me to offer you a grand reception, why don't you stay a little longer? Better, forever, to stay here..." [Japanese]: "As an Earl, mere treats would be boring and disappointing to host your guests... I'd like to make preparations for a grand welcome, but could you please stay a little longer? What if... forever, forever... here..."
	Valentine's Day 2024	"Allow me to witness this touching moment. Of course, I'll turn the memorable moment into 'Forever'."
	White Day 2024	"Courtesy calls for reciprocity, and that's a fundamental part of being a count."

Japanese Twitter Replies

Please press "Expand" to see in-character replies from the official Japanese Twitter.

Original Tweet Fan Comment Character Reply Trick-or-treating for hunters (link) Mr. Joseph, Trick or Treat!!! Give me some sweets! If you don't, I'll play a trick on you!!! Haha, that's scary. I don't have any sweets right now, but Being played with a prank is troublesome, They say you can't replace your back with your stomach. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Can you please forgive me for this? Gardener's story illustration (link) You say you're going to take her place…, but maybe… are you going to just take over the account? Taking over? Haha, I am just her replacement. I will do my job well. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Don’t worry. Gardener's story illustration (link) Where has Emma gone…?! She has disappeared. For my part, I am distressed that this has happened in my disguise salon… ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Let's hope she is safe now. 3rd Anniversary 3rd lottery (link) I can't believe Mr D.M. is doing the prize-draw himself. Thank you very much. I'd rather give you a present. Hahaha, I’m glad you enjoyed it. That you think so is a gift for me. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Well, will your muse smile on you? 3rd Anniversary 3rd lottery (link) Mr D.M.!? Where'd you put Emma?! Give her back!! Of course I would like to find her too… But, since her disappearance, there have been no clues. We are worried, but for now we can only pray for her safety. I know you're worried about her not being here, but I'll do my best to take her place. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Don't worry. Rainmaker and The Prince costume announcement (link) I’ll get it. I’ll get it. I’ll get it. I’ll get it. I’ll get it. I’ll get it. I’ll get it. Hahaha, it's a wonderful enthusiasm. If you want to get something, you have need to be prepared and ready… ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜May your muse smile upon you. Rainmaker and The Prince costume announcement (link) Michiko’s new costume is always beautiful to see. What kind of make-up is on Beauty form face hidden by the cloth? I'm curious, I'd like to see it. I'm curious to see what expression she has on her face… ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜But…, perhaps it’s best not to pry too much, …isn’t it? July 8th maintenance completed notice (link) Thank you very much, Mr D.M… Thank you… Am I doing enough to replace her? I can see how excellent she is usually at this job. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜And how much she is loved. July 8th maintenance completed notice (link) Mr Inference!!!! I love you!!!! Hmm? Do you know the great detective? I know him as well. Hehe, he is a very interesting and intelligent man. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜And he keeps me entertained ……right? 3rd Anniversary PV (link) Her voice is so beautiful, it almost swallows us up… It’s so elegant… Isn't her voice so beautiful that you can't stop listening to it? I like her singing voice too. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Her voice… that makes we want to listen deeper and deeper… 3rd Anniversary PV (link) Galatea is a combination of pretty and beautiful. Maybe she's an art in herself? Hahaha! You say she is “a masterpiece” in her own, right? Hehe… You have interesting thing to say. I'd like to hear more about that. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜You're invited to my disguise salon. Smiley Face's Background Tree costume announcement (link) Clown, if we look closely, we can see that he is crying… I’ll wipe away his tears. Hehe, what are the feelings behind his tears? Sometimes we shed tears of joy, sometimes tears of sadness. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜”Feeling” is a difficult thing. Photographer's story illustration (link) You told me to come and touch the dragon, so next time I'll go touch the dragon (*´꒳`*)♡ Yes, please come by. I promise you will have a wonderful time. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ < Fufu, I'll be waiting for you. Photographer's story illustration (link) I was so distracted by your lovely voice that I forgot your story. Can you tell me the story again if you like? Of course. I will tell you as many times as you want. Oh, why don’t you come to my house? And I invite you to look at the sculpture in my story. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Don't you think you'll enjoy it more that way? Geisha's story illustration (link) Michiko dancing in the flames is too beautiful, I’m crying. Tragic love… I want Michiko to be happy. What a touching story. Self-sacrifice and devotion cannot be spoken of without tears, can they…? Because no matter how much they wish to be happy, the sacrifices end there. They will never be happy… ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Misfortune makes people feel sorry for you… Haha… Geisha's story illustration (link) Michiko… It's really cool to see you try to protect the people you cares about with your body… I respect you…… But, was she really inspired to protect the people she cared about? Some other special reason are… Oops, my bad. I've thrown water on your moved emotion. But if I don't throw water, the fire cannot be extinguished. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜The facts are hidden in the flames… S17 essence 1 costumes showcase (link) Michiko’s standing is very cool… The dignified way she stands conveys her thoughts and determination. And, could there be another look hidden in it…? ᴑ‿ゝᴑ ＜Looks like a thunderbolt, appealing to something, for example. Identity V Academy episode 18 (link) Joseph! You’re cute! On closer look, do I see that you’re using a game controller? Will it go well…? (With manga clipping) There's nothing to worry about. This is a special controller, which allows for intuitive operation. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Hehe… I’ll get it done… New furniture announcement (link) Weeeeep I don't have any money, but I want Joseph to sit in the chair, so I'll do my best… Haha… I’m very happy about that. It’s not about getting things. Your sincere heart is the flower, the furnishing, the comfort. Please stay as you are… ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜As a valuable entity… for me… August 19th maintenance notice (link) The image of Mr Joseph is very beautiful. Can't wait to see the new room!! I want to take a lot of photos with Mr Joseph there. Hm… The new place is so much more open. So it would be very picturesque, with a panoramic view. [◎]‿ゝᴑ＜I'm sure I'll get some good shots… Cup animals and Truth & Inference merchandise (link) Count D.M.… It's beautiful on a T-shirt.... Do you usually wear a T-shirt? Actually I've never seen a T-shirt before. It looks casual and I'd really like to wear it, but… A person's impression is based on their appearance, isn't it? I have to dress appropriately because of my status as a count. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜So, I think my current outfit will suffice for a while. Cup animals and Truth & Inference merchandise (link) Count D.M., you always look so cool, but I guess you wear this T-shirt in your room! Wouldn't it be good business to sell it with the tagline "D.M.’s favorite gentleman’s loungewear"? A $1 T-shirt can be worth a million just by you wearing it! Hahaha, if I wore a T-shirt with me on it, it would look funny, like we were mirroring each other. Well, if so… I'll call it a case and get Ms. Truth to wear it. I'm sure Mr. Inference will be disgusted, though. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Instead, it will be an amusing situation. Identity V NAMJATOWN collaboration (link) Mr Joseph… Aren’t you too adorable?! You are so pretty you could be kidnapped… no, definitely kidnapped!! Hehe, you say I'm adorable? That's nice to hear. But even if I were a cat, I don't think I'd be able to match your adorableness, don't you? Perhaps it is you who should be wary of kidnapping. It's better to be on your guard… [◎]‿ゝᴑ＜If you think that person you're talking to is just a cat… Deleted Tweet Thank you for all your work~ I look forward to Halloween. By the way, I feel like having a drink with Mr Joseph! I want a drink very much! Oh, why do you want to drink with me? …I should… dare not ask you so that. Because don't need a reason to share a drink. But you'd better be careful, you know? Don't say you don't know that alcohol makes you careless. If you get drunk in front of me…, that's the same meaning as "do as you please". ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜For now I'm warning you that it's dangerous… Case Closed crossover announcement (link) I see, I see… Thank you for your all work, Emma. You’re always making lots of announcements, so you’re bound to make one mistake every now and then. I’ll keep it a secret from Mr Joseph! But I think I’ll share it with Mr Jack… That's not "it couldn't be helped" thing. Let me apologize on her behalf. If we become too busy and careless, the stitching will come undone… It wasn't my name that she mistook this time, well, but mistakes are a sin. Considering the pronunciation of the spelling "pheus", she can't be excused anymore. Then… How many times should she be made to write his name…? ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Punishment will be meted out. Autumn lottery announcement (link) I’ll give you my straight opinion. I love you. That’s a really straightforward saying, isn’t it? But I feel a favor accepting head-on is a very precious thing… hehe… Looks? Behavior? Or myself? ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜What do you love… about me? Sea acrylic merchandise and Photographer plush (link) Mini-Joseph is too cute… I want to touch its cheek, looks like so soft. Hm… Is it me, the stuffed doll?… I don't know why, but a small appearance tends to make you feel it kind of charming and friendly, doesn't it? I'd like to see a little more dignity in the doll, but with looks like that I can't complain about the way it is treated… Well, if you touch my cheek, I'll just do it back. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Sometimes it's not bad to be the side who counters. Identity V Academy episode 28 (link) I wonder what Mr Joseph is thinking about…? I don’t know, but I’ll leave it you sir!!! Jeez. …Although we’d just had a hard time catching Wu Chang. Well, as a teacher in this academy, I won’t do anything badly. ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Leave it to me. Photographer's Faust costume release (link) No matter how you want to be happy, you have to be crazy to sell your soul to the devil………… I love your costume. It looks like a hunter, it’s terrifying, though… Haha… hehehe… You really think you can understand?… There's no way you would understand how I feel… The end of a cornered man… The anguish of having let my happiness drop onto the in-between time of the past… You're now walking the path of possibility, and full of dreams of the future because you don't know any regrets… But… the time you know, it's too late. [◎]‿ゝ#＜ So… I'll tell you that… Photographer's Faust costume release (link) I would sell my soul to the devil for your happiness!!!!!!! You’re beautiful, I love you more than anything in the world, I love you!!!!!!!!!! i love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, yes, you're right… Come on… Please be absorbed in me. I don't want to lose anything. I want you to come with me. You no longer have to be afraid of walking without seeing anything because of the fog. If you want to live the best time of your life… and you want forever… [◎]‿ゝ#＜ I'd sell my soul… to the devil… January 13th maintenance notice (link) Mr Joseph!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the maintenance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m looking forward to Faust!!!!!!!!!!!! (Fuckin loud voice) Would you like have some tea with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have sweets too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha, your good preparation is not bad, and I’d love to have some tea with you. It will be a lively and fun tea time with full of laughter. It’s the kind of it makes you forget all about time… isn’t it? ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜I’ll prepare something delicious too… FLOWER PARTY collaboration event (link) Awwww!? Mr Joseph! You look neat and clean!!! Lovely!! Your modicum of fragility is very attractive, as if you were about to be swept away by the light!!! “Fragility”… Not fragile… I am… To me, you look more fragile. That’s exactly as fragile as a petal falls easily… All the more reason, I want to take a picture as a testament you’re here in this moment. [◎]‿ゝ#＜Hehe… Okay? Announcement for the Sweets Paradise Butler Cafe. (link) Mr Joseph, you look more like a king at the top of all than a butler. I don’t care what you do. I’m happy to do anything with you. No matter what happens to me. Hahaha, no need to be humble. It is a fact you’re my master here. But, I’m here to test your behavior and teach you what the master is. Before you make me serve…, let’s see how big and brave you are… ᴑ‿ゝᴑ＜Be careful… not to be tripped up… March 10th maintenance notice (link) Mr Joseph, the day after tomorrow is your Character Day. I look forward to spending that day quietly with you. How can I stay quiet… with all this vague foreboding…?! What should I… Are you being sarcastic? Even I can't control myself…, and you say…… …………Oh, sorry. You're saying you care about me, but how rude of me to do what I did. [◎]‿ゝ#＜ I was disgraceful earlier… Ah, sorry… Joseph's Character Day (link) Mr Joseph, happy character day. I wish you can spend this day as happily as possible. I hope you’ll continue to cherish the moments you capture in your photographs. May you one day laugh from the bottom of your heart and live a peaceful and happy life. Happy character day? …Hm… No, thank you for your celebration. Today is an important day for me and you know it. That's why you also respect this day, isn't it? Hehe… Then, would you like to be a photographic model? I'll take a photo of you to mark the occasion. [◎]‿ゝ#＜ It'll be one of the most precious photos in your lifetime. Joseph's Character Day (link) Mr Joseph, happy character day…! Today I’ll think of you and your brother all the time…!! I will love you forever…! Ah…, that’s a plus for me. You can sit here. I think you might know him already… [◎]‿ゝ#＜I guess I’ll introduce him to you just in case. Joseph's Character Day (link) Mr Joseph…! I think, for you, this day is probably the most emotionally charged day of the year. Many irrevocable days will built up when we live, but I believe it’s important not to forget them. Now I want to think of this day with you with all my heart. Do you really think you could ever have any sympathy for me…? You… say that lightly… and assume you understand me…! …Pardon me. I said too much. I'm not in a very good mood today, you know? In other words, the needless talk was not your privilege… Hahaha… Well, let's leave it at that. The silence at the end of the hustle and bustle is the best place to calm the mind. [◎]‿ゝ# < When it quiets…, it only takes a moment

Event Appearances
Icon	Event	Role
The Client	Atropos' Ropes (July 2020)	The Client ("D.M.")
	Finding The Way Home On Mid-Autumn Festival (September - October 2020)	Himself
	Mélodis Estate Investigation (July 2021)	"D.M." ("Enigma")
	An "Unforgettable" Christmas (December 2021 - January 2022)	Himself
	The Phantom of the Crystal Palace (Mentioned) (March - April 2022)	"D.M."
	The Shrouded Bélóstáin (Mentioned) (July 2022)
	Castle Zinaida's Unfinished Chapter (July - August 2023)
	The Voyage of Oceanus (Mentioned) (March - April 2024)
	The Secret Between the Lines (Mentioned) (June - July 2024)
	Enlightenment Under the Stars (March - April 2025)
N/A	Link Click Crossover Part I (Mentioned) (June - July 2022)	Himself
	Link Click Crossover Part II (Mentioned) (February - March 2025)
	Twilight Banquet (October - November 2022)	Crimson Sword (Bloody Sword)
	A Christmas Eve Mystery (December 2022)	Himself (Xmas Ensemble)
	The Silent Night Spectacular (December 2024 - January 2025)
	Castle Zinaida's Unfinished Chapter (July - August 2023)	Necromancer ("D.M.")
N/A	Hangzhou West Lake Event (Mentioned) (September - October 2023)	Himself
	Sanrio Characters Crossover (December 2023 - January 2024)	Himself (Dreamy Cinnamoroll)
	Silent Splendor (August - September 2024)	"Tyrant"
	Forgotten Echo (August - September 2025)
	Haunting Parade (October - November 2024)	"Amber"
	Echoes of the Summer (June - July 2025)	"Scenic Artist" (Midsummer Light)

Photographer has been mentioned in the following documents for other characters:

Letters

None

Deductions

None

Backstories

• Lanternist's Design Notes & Character Introduction

Diaries

None

The following resources related to Photographer were, at some point in time, present in official websites or in-game after Identity V's official release, but have since been replaced. As such, they may contain details that have since been altered or removed from the character's backstory. Their related removal date will be listed at the top of their respective section.

Character Introduction

Photographer's character introduction on the Identity V Official Website was reworded at some point before August 12th 2025. The following is the previous wording.

Joseph was forced to leave France and move to England with his parents. The pain of losing his twin brother caused Joseph to become absorbed with art. He hoped to save the live images of those people and objects to liven up his pictures. Joseph has become obsessed with parapsychology and hopes to make some interesting modifications to his camera. He started to tell his closest friends that he had found a way to capture souls in pictures. No one took him seriously, but then they started to notice that everyone whose picture was taken by Joseph disappeared one after another. When a panic-stricken mob forced their way into Joseph's residence, Joseph was nowhere to be seen. On the wall of his studio, however, were all kinds of lifelike portraits of people that seemed to be looking right at them.

Deduction Summaries

These are unreleased summaries found in the game files in June, 2022. As the released deduction summaries were removed when the Character Relations Menu was updated on August 8th, 2024, these have since become obsolete and likely won't ever be officially released.

Deduction 1: Exile Due to the civil unrest in their homeland, Joseph's parents fled with their children, Joseph and his younger brother Claude. Deduction 2: Rumor Claude died of illness during the migration. Joseph missed his younger brother so much that he became obsessed with the art of photography—so he could preserve lively images. Deduction 3: Terror Joseph's photography research grew strange and terrifying, until he went missing from his own home.

Letter Summaries

These are unreleased letter summaries found in the game files in June, 2022. With the Character Relations Menu update on August 8th, 2024, Photographer's letter summaries were officially released, and the wording of his first and third letter summaries were changed slightly. The following is the previous wording.

An Unsent Letter A letter Joseph wrote to Claude. He expressed his longing for his brother. A Diary Made From Stationary Paper In the diary, Joseph admitted that his experiments had not succeeded because he still hadn't been able to meet Claude again.

Canon Manor Game

We can gather who was in a canon Manor Game together by information in Letters and Diaries, and very occasionally from character quotes during events. However, there is currently not enough information to determine which Manor Game the Photographer participated in.

Compiled Overview

The following section contains an overview based on canon information.

Please note that some information may be missing as it may not have been provided from official sources. See the given references for further information.

Backstory

Claude and Joseph were twin brothers and children of nobility, and were very close to each other. The Desaulniers family lived happily until tragedy struck - the working class could no longer bear to suffer for the rich; a revolution had begun in France. Claude and his family fled France, but on the way to their new home, Claude contracted a disease and passed away before the journey had reached its end. Unable to overcome the grief of his twin brother's death, Joseph became fascinated and then obsessed with saving the memory of Claude, most notably within the photographs of when their family was alive and happy. As he became older he began to experiment with the occult in relation to photographs, testing if he could save people within them, and perhaps live in one himself in order to be with his twin. After many years Joseph was able to trap real people within his photographs, but as more people went missing from a nearby town a mob invaded his house. Joseph Desaulniers himself, however, was missing and could not be found, though the servants claim he still haunted his mansion.

Alternate Theories and Conclusions

The below article or section(s) contains speculation, analysis, or theories which may include unconfirmed information.

When adding content, use references to link or explain legitimate/official supportive evidence for specific theories, otherwise it may be removed.

• The deductions and letters for Joseph both clarify that he had reached old age in his lifetime before entering the camera world. Many theorize he reached 60 years of age, which is supported by what we currently know from the JP volume of the official Reference Book.
  • It seems he feared death, and as he became older it is likely this affected how obsessed he was with his experiments.
  • Since Joseph seems to have been successful in going inside the world of photos, and was trying to go back to a time when his brother was still alive, that is likely why he appears as his younger self. It may also be why his in-game model is colored in the Camera World, while black and white in the real one.
• It is clarified that he didn't used to be as obsessed with photos as he was later on, and rather it was someone else who spurred on his obsession and perhaps helping him continue his experiments.
• It is unknown if he only appears on the hallucinations as a "separate entity" to the Manor Participants or as a "Monstrous" Form of one of the Manor Participants during a "Death Match" judging by the 3rd character day letter.

Gallery

Character File from the Official Art Reference Book

Portrait - Photographer Full Art by InArt美术设计

Navigation

Character Navigation
THE SURVIVORS
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SEASON 2-3					-
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SEASON 37-41				-
	"Escapologist" (Season 37)	Lanternist (Season 39)	Matador (Season 41)
THE HUNTERS
DEFAULT		-
	Hell Ember (Season 0)
SEASON 1-4
	Smiley Face (Season 1)	Gamekeeper (Season 1)	The Ripper (Season 1)	Soul Weaver (Season 1)	Geisha (Season 1)
	The Feaster (Season 1)	Wu Chang (Season 2)	Photographer (Season 2)	Mad Eyes (Season 3)	Dream Witch (Season 4)
SEASON 5-9
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SEASON 11-16
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SEASON 18-25
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SEASON 27-34
	Opera Singer (Season 27)	"Fool's Gold" (Season 29)	The Shadow (Season 31)	"Goatman" (Season 33)	"Hullabaloo" (Season 34)
SEASON 36-40				-
	Peddler (Season 36)	"Cueist" (Season 38)	"Queen Bee" (Season 40)
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"Little Girl" ⇌ Journalist		Prospector ⇌ "Fool's Gold"		Acrobat ⇌ "Hullabaloo"
Entomologist ⇌ "Queen Bee"		-
STORY RELATED CHARACTERS
Reporter		Detective		and many others...
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