How to Tag a Photographer on Facebook

Got a fresh batch of incredible photos from a recent shoot? Sharing them on Facebook is a great way to showcase them, but giving proper credit is the most important first step. Correctly tagging your photographer not only honors their work but also strengthens your professional relationship and can even boost your own visibility. This guide will walk you through exactly how to tag your photographer on Facebook, cover solutions to common problems, and share best practices to make sure you're both getting the most value out of every post.

Why Tagging Your Photographer Isn't Just Good Manners - It's Smart Business

Taking a moment to properly credit your photographer goes far beyond a simple shout-out. It’s a strategic move that benefits everyone involved, creating a positive ripple effect for both your brands. Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why."

Respecting the Creator's Work

At its core, tagging is about respect. Photographers, like all artists, own the intellectual property of their images. While you may have paid for a license to use the photos, they remain the creator of that work. A proper tag is the most basic and professional way to acknowledge their artistry and ownership. It shows you value their talent and the effort they put into capturing the perfect shot, which is the foundation of any great professional relationship.

Building Strong Professional Relationships

Want to be a client that photographers love working with? Tag them consistently and correctly. When you make it a habit to give clear, visible credit, you signal that you're a collaborative and respectful partner. This goodwill goes a long way. Photographers are more likely to go the extra mile for great clients, prioritize your future projects, and engage with your content. A happy photographer is also more inclined to share your post on their own channels, instantly introducing your brand to their audience.

Expanding Your Organic Reach (and Theirs)

Think of tagging as a collaborative marketing tool. When you tag a photographer's Business Page, your post has a chance to be seen by their followers. If they, in turn, share your post to their Story or Page, your content gets an even bigger boost. This cross-promotion expands your reach organically, putting your message in front of a new, targeted audience that likely trusts the photographer's recommendations. It's a powerful way to grow without spending a dime on ads.

Providing Real Value to Your Audience

When you share beautiful, professional photos, people will notice. Inevitably, someone in your audience will wonder, "Who took these pictures?" By tagging your photographer, you're answering that question before it's even asked. You are essentially giving a trusted recommendation to your followers, which they'll appreciate. This positions you as a helpful resource and builds stronger community trust.

How to Tag a Photographer in Different Facebook Post Formats

Facebook offers multiple ways to share content, and the tagging process varies slightly between them. Here’s a clear, step-by-step breakdown for crediting your photographer in standard posts, albums, and Stories.

Tagging in a Photo Post or Album

This is the most common scenario for sharing professional photos. You have two main options: tagging in the caption (most important) and tagging within the photo itself.

To tag in the caption:

• From your Facebook Page or Profile, click "Photo/video" to start a new post.
• Upload the photo(s) you want to share.
• In the caption box (where it says "Say something about this..."), begin writing your text.
• To add the tag, type the "@" symbol followed immediately by the name of the photographer's Facebook Business Page. (For example: "@JaneDoePhotography")
• As you type, a dropdown menu will appear with suggestions. Select the correct page from the list. The name should turn into a bold, blue link once you've selected it.
• Finish your caption and click "Post."

To tag on the photo itself:

• After uploading your photo, hover over it and click the "Edit" button (a small pencil icon).
• Look for the "Tag Photos" icon at the top of the editing options.
• Click anywhere on the photo where you'd like the tag to appear.
• Start typing the photographer's name and select their Page from the dropdown list, just as you would for a caption.
• Click "Done Editing" to save the tag.

Pro Tip: Always prioritize tagging in the caption. It's more visible and guarantees everyone who reads your post sees the credit. Tagging on the photo is a good secondary measure.

Tagging in a Status Update (Text Post)

If you're giving a general shout-out without an accompanying photo, the process is even simpler. It works just like tagging in a caption.

• Start a new post on your profile or page.
• In the text box, write your message.
• When you're ready to tag the photographer, type "@" and begin typing their Page name.
• Select the correct page from the dropdown menu to create the link.
• Click "Post" when you're done.

Tagging in a Facebook Story

Stories are a fantastic way to share behind-the-scenes shots or a featured photo. Tagging here is essential for viewers to find the creator.

• Open your Facebook app and tap "Create Story."
• Select the photo or video you want to share.
• In the top right corner, tap the "Stickers" icon (it looks like a smiley face).
• Select the "@MENTION" sticker from the options.
• Start typing the photographer's Page name and select it from the list that appears.
• You can resize, rotate, and move the tag sticker anywhere on the screen. Place it somewhere it's easy to see but doesn't obstruct the main focus of the image.
• Tap "Share" to post your Story. Viewers will be able to tap the sticker to visit the photographer's page directly.

Can't Seem to Tag Them? Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes, technology doesn't cooperate. If you’re trying to tag a photographer but their name isn’t showing up, don’t just give up and post without credit. Here are a few common issues and their solutions.

Problem: Their Name Doesn't Appear When You Type "@"

This is the most frequent challenge. If their Business Page isn’t appearing in the dropdown menu, try these steps:

• Check the spelling and name. Make sure you’re typing the exact name of their Facebook Business Page. It might be "Jane Doe Photography," not just "Jane Doe." Go to their page directly to confirm the exact title.
• Like their Page. Sometimes, "Liking" or "Following" a business page helps Facebook’s algorithm find it more easily when you try to tag it.
• Wait a second. Occasionally, Facebook takes a moment to load all the options. Type the full name slowly and pause for a few seconds to see if it pops up.

Problem: You Tagged Their Personal Profile Instead of Their Business Page

Many creatives keep separate personal profiles and professional business pages. Always, always tag the Business Page. Tagging their personal profile mixes business with their private life and prevents them from leveraging the post on their professional channels. Business Pages have access to analytics and a "Share" button that personal profiles don't offer in the same way.

The Fix: No problem! Just edit your post. Click the three dots in the top right corner of your post, choose "Edit post," delete the incorrect tag (using the backspace key), and re-type the "@" symbol to find and select their correct Business Page.

Problem: They Have Restrictions That Prevent You From Tagging Them

In very rare cases, a Page may have settings that limit who can tag them. If you’ve tried all the steps above and still can’t create the tag, the next best thing is to give manual credit. Go a step beyond just writing their name.

The Solution: Clearly state their business name in the caption (e.g., "Photos courtesy of Jane Doe Photography") and, with their permission, you can also paste a direct link to their website or Instagram profile. This ensures anyone interested can still find them, even without a direct Facebook tag.

Beyond the "@": Best Practices for Photographer Crediting

Simply adding a tag is good, but following professional etiquette ensures your credit is effective and appreciated.

Where Should the Credit Go? Caption, an Absolute Must

The tag should always be placed in the primary text of your post - the caption. Placing credit in a comment is not a substitute. Comments can get buried quickly, especially on a popular post, making the credit practically invisible. Placing the tag "above the fold" in your caption (before the "...see more" link appears) is even better, as it guarantees visibility without requiring a viewer to expand the text.

What Should You Say? The Anatomy of a Great Tag

Don't just hide a tag at the bottom of a long post. Make the credit part of your narrative. Integrating it feels more authentic and shows genuine appreciation.

• Simple &, Clear: "Loving these incredible shots from our latest brand shoot! 📸: @JaneDoePhotography."
• Enthusiastic &, Personal: "I’m so thrilled to share these photos! A huge thank you to @JaneDoePhotography for their incredible vision and for making the whole experience so fun. If you're looking for a photographer, look no further!"
• With a Call-to-Action: "We just updated our website with these amazing new photos from @JaneDoePhotography. Head over to their page to see more of their stunning work!"

A Quick Note on Cropping and Filters

Editing is a huge part of a photographer’s artistic signature. Never apply your own filters (like those on Instagram or other apps) or make drastic crops to a professionally delivered image before posting. Doing so misrepresents their final product. If you're tagging a photographer, you should be showcasing their work as they intended it to be seen. Posting a heavily altered photo with their tag is a major professional misstep.

Final Thoughts

Tagging your photographer on Facebook is a simple action that delivers oversized returns. It builds professional goodwill, respects artistic ownership, and creates a powerful opportunity for both of you to grow your audiences organically through mutual exposure.

Consistently creating high-quality, professional posts can become a challenge when you're juggling different platforms and content. I created Postbase to streamline that exact process. Our visual calendar lets you plan all your upcoming photo content at a glance, making it easy to see what's scheduled. You can upload your beautiful photos once, write the perfect captions complete with the correct tags, and then schedule them to publish across all your social channels without the headache of doing it manually everywhere.