[s03nk3]

Storing in EXIF seemed also the go-to solution for me. Until I ran into deduplication and backup management problems due to the changed files.

[ListenLinda]

Use sidecar files instead. I believe the professional tools all use them as well.

[jmathai]

You mean because the hash of the photo changes?

I've solved that by materializing every photo to a deterministic folder path. So it's not possible to have the same exact photo in my library.