An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit that generates moving object image data. A detection unit detects a shooting direction of the image pickup and/or an attitude of the image pickup apparatus. A storage unit temporarily stores moving image data generated by the image pickup. An instruction unit instructs operation to photograph a still image. A recording unit reads out the moving image data traced back by a predetermined time period from a timing when still image photographing is instructed by the instruction unit, from the storage unit, and records the read-out moving image data in a recording medium. In the moving image data, traced back by the predetermined time period, the recording unit does not record, in the recording medium, at least a portion of the moving image data in the predetermined time period, based on the detected shooting direction and/or attitude of the image pickup apparatus.