Giving proper credit to photos you share on Facebook is important for a few reasons. Here are some quick answers to key questions about photo credits on Facebook:
Why give photo credit on Facebook?
There are a few main reasons why it’s important to give credit to photos you share on Facebook:
- It’s the right thing to do – giving credit respects the photographer’s work and intellectual property.
- It helps avoid copyright issues – photographers may request their uncredited photos be removed.
- It builds your reputation – properly crediting others makes you look honest and reliable.
How can you credit photos on Facebook?
There are a couple main ways to give credit for photos on Facebook:
- Mention the photographer in your post – Write the name of the photographer in your caption.
- Tag the photographer – Use Facebook’s tagging feature to tag the photographer’s profile.
- Link to original source – Include a link to the original source of the photo if available.
What information should you include?
To properly give credit, you’ll want to mention the following information if available:
- Photographer’s name
- Any social media handles or website
- Location where photo was taken
For example: Photo by Jane Doe @janedoephotographytaken in Iceland.
Where should you mention the photo credit?
The photo credit should be mentioned in the caption so it’s clearly visible. Avoid only including it in a comment, as that can get lost. Ideal places to mention it include:
- Beginning of the caption
- End of the caption
- Photo description (if uploading directly)
Do you need permission to share credited photos?
You should always get direct permission from the photographer before sharing their photo, even if you credit them. Don’t assume it’s okay to share their work without asking first.
What if you don’t know who took the photo?
If you find a photo online but can’t identify the photographer, it’s best not to share it. Some options in this case are:
- Reverse image search to try to find the source.
- Contact the website host to ask for photo credit.
- Ask friends if they recognize the photographer.
As a last resort, you can share the photo with a disclaimer saying you weren’t able to identify the original photographer.
Can you re-share a photo someone else posted without credit?
No, you should still give credit to the photographer even if you didn’t take or upload the photo yourself. Don’t keep spreading uncredited photos.
What are the risks of not giving photo credit?
There are a few potential risks of failing to give proper photo credit on Facebook:
- Copyright infringement if you use the photo without permission.
- Photographer could request the photo be removed from Facebook.
- People may call you out for not giving credit.
- Could damage your reputation and make photographers less likely to work with you.
How can you politely ask for a credit if someone shares your photo?
If someone shares your photo without proper credit, here are some polite ways to ask them to add your credit:
- “Hi! I noticed you shared my photo, could you kindly tag me so my work gets credited?”
- “Thanks for sharing my photo! Do you mind adding my name and social media handle to the caption so followers can find me?”
- “I see you shared my Iceland photo, would you mind giving me a photo credit in the comments so people know it’s my work?”
Conclusion
Giving proper photo credit shows respect for the photographer’s work and helps you maintain a reputable presence on Facebook. Always credit any photos you share by mentioning the photographer’s name and linking to their social profiles or website if possible. Make sure to get the photographer’s permission before sharing, even if you plan to credit them. With these tips, you can easily give credit where credit is due!
| Type of Credit | Example |
|---|---|
| Mention name in caption | “Beautiful photo by Jane Doe” |
| Tag photographer’s profile | @JaneDoePhotography |
| Link to original source | “See more at https://janedoe.com” |
Here are some additional tips for properly crediting photos on Facebook:
Ask permission before sharing
Always get permission from the photographer before sharing their work, even if you plan to credit them. Don’t just assume it’s okay to share.
Credit in alt text
When uploading photos directly to Facebook, be sure to give photo credit in the alt text description field.
What to do if you don’t know the photographer
If you find a photo online but can’t identify the photographer, reverse image search, contact the host site, or ask friends before sharing it. If all else fails, add a disclaimer that you couldn’t find the original source.
How to find photo credits
Look for watermarks, signatures, social media handles, and website links on photos to help identify the photographer. Many stock sites also include photographer credit.
Credit when re-sharing
Always give credit to the original photographer, even if you’re resharing someone else’s post. Don’t continue spreading uncredited photos.
Politely asking for credit
If someone shares your photo without credit, politely ask them to add your name and link to your social media or website so you get proper credit.
Avoiding copyright issues
Giving credit helps avoid potential copyright issues, as photographers may request removal of uncredited copies of their photos. Always get their permission before sharing.
Now let’s go over some specific examples of how to properly credit photos on Facebook:
Photo Credit Examples
Single Photo
Caption: Striking landscape captured by @janedoephotography in Iceland last month. Be sure to check out Jane’s Instagram feed for more stunning images.
Multiple Photos
Caption: I had the pleasure of working with @john_smith_photography on some new headshots. Don’t forget to show him some love!
Photo 1: Headshot of Sally Jones. Photo by John Smith.
Photo 2: Headshot of Bob Wilson. Photo by John Smith.
Album Share
Album Title: Ireland Gallery by @seanconneryphotos
Album Description: While traveling through the Irish countryside, I captured these beautiful photos. Many thanks to Sean Connery for allowing me to share his work with all of you. See more at seanconneryphotos.com.
Resharing Other Post
Caption: Absolutely loving this shot originally shared by @theadventuremom. Photo by @samjonesphotography.
Credit in Comment
Caption: How beautiful is this rainforest scene?!
Comment: Photo credit: @rainforestphototours. Used with permission.
Troubleshooting Photo Credit Issues
Here are some common issues with photo credits on Facebook and how to resolve them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Someone shares your photo without credit | Politely ask them to add your name and links in the comments or caption |
| You accidentally share an uncredited photo | Delete post and re-share with proper credit |
| You can’t identify the original photographer | Reverse image search and ask friends for help before sharing |
| Copyright infringement claim | Immediately remove the photo and apologize to the photographer |
| Photographer asks you to remove a credited photo | Remove the photo as requested |
Always get direct permission, give full credit, and respect photographers’ wishes to avoid issues with photo sharing on Facebook. With proper attribution, you can share amazing photos ethically.
Best Practices for Photo Credits
Follow these best practices whenever sharing photos on Facebook to ensure proper credit:
- Ask the photographer’s permission before posting
- Tag the photographer’s Facebook page or personal profile
- Mention the photographer’s name in the caption
- Include links to photographer’s website or social media
- Credit any reshared photos, not just your own uploads
- Add alt text with photo credit when uploading directly
- Credit in a prominent, visible place like beginning/end of caption
- Use proper attribution phrases like “Photo by…”
- Get photographer approval before sharing albums or multiples
Respecting creators and giving proper attribution ensures you remain in good standing on Facebook as a source for engaging content. Make photo credits a regular part of your process.
Creative Ways to Give Photo Credit
Beyond just mentioning the photographer’s name, get creative with photo credit wording. Some ideas:
- “Eternal gratitude to @jamesjohnson for capturing this breathtaking landscape.”
- “Much appreciation to @sarahkphotos for these stunning portraits from our recent collaboration.”
- “This adventure was captured through the lens of the uber talented @david_gray_photography in Hawaii.”
- “We’re swooning over @megan_ring’s artistic perspective on this scenic Oregon coastline.”
- “Major thanks to local photographer Jane Doe @jdoephotos for letting us share her talents with you all today.”
Get descriptive with the praise you give – be specific about their skills and contribution. Photographers will appreciate the extra effort!
Templates for Requesting Photo Credit
If someone shares your work without proper attribution, you can request credit by using these template comments or messages:
- Hi [name], I noticed you shared my photo of [description]. Could you please add my name to the caption so I receive credit? My Instagram is @[handle]. Thanks!
- Thanks for sharing my photo! I don’t mind you posting it but could you add my name [name] and website [website] to the caption? I want to make sure I get credited. Appreciate it!
- I see you shared my [landmark] photo but didn’t include my name or handle. Would you mind editing the caption to give me credit? Here’s the info: [name], @[handle], [website]. That way anyone interested can find more of my photography. Thanks for understanding!
The key is to be polite yet straightforward – you deserve credit! Most often, lack of credit is unintentional and easily fixed once mentioned.
Conclusion
Giving proper photo credit should become second nature when sharing on Facebook. Always get the photographer’s permission, include their name and links, credit any reshared photos, and give praise for their skills. If your original work gets shared without attribution, politely request the addition of your details for credit. With these tips, you can easily do the right thing and get – or give – photo credit where deserved.