The Smallest Tag Can Mean the Biggest Support
There’s something I see on social media almost daily that always makes me smile a little… and wince a little at the same time.
A small business posts a beautiful image on Instagram or Facebook. The caption talks warmly about supporting small businesses. Perhaps it encourages people to shop local, spread the word, share the love… Like, comment etc etc
And yet quietly sitting in the corner of that post, entirely anonymous, is the photographer who created the image in the first place.
Like a ghost with a camera…
Now before anybody panics – this is not me dramatically throwing my lens cap to the floor demanding recognition at every turn!! Most brand photographers I know, myself included, don’t insist clients must tag us every single time an image is used or even mention this within a contract. We’re not sat refreshing Instagram muttering, “Where’s my mention, Geraldine?”
But… it is a genuinely lovely thing when it happens.
Because here’s the thing many people forget about photography for business… the images don’t simply appear by magic.
Behind them is usually:
- planning
- editing
- styling guidance
- reassurance
- problem solving
- and often someone lying half in a hedge trying to get “the shot”
(An occupational hazard, frankly that many of you will have been witness too over the years)
When you tag your photographer in a post, you’re not just crediting a supplier. You’re extending the same small business support we all talk so passionately about online.
And honestly? It matters more than people realise.
The Modern-Day Word of Mouth
Years ago, recommending a business happened over garden fences, in cafés, at networking meetings or in passing conversation.
Now it often happens through tags.
A simple:
“Photos by Rachel Collins Photography or @rachelcollinsphoto”
or
“Captured beautifully by…”
might take only seconds to add, but it can lead somebody directly to the photographer whose work they’ve admired.
That’s huge for small creative businesses.
Not because we expect applause every five minutes, but because referrals and visibility are still the heartbeat of self-employed life.
Especially in creative industries, where people often discover photographers through seeing their work used in the real world.
But I Paid for the Shoot…
And yes, absolutely, you did.
This isn’t about ownership confusion or hidden obligations. If you commissioned a photographer and have permission to use the images, then of course they’re there for your marketing.
But tagging isn’t really about payment.
It’s about acknowledgement.
It’s the online equivalent of saying:
“This person helped create this.”
Just as you might tag the florist, designer, copywriter, maker, models or venue you worked with.
For me it feels less a contractual obligation (which is why I don’t write it in mine) and more of a community-minded courtesy.
Small Businesses Supporting Small Businesses
What I find especially interesting is that many businesses genuinely care about supporting fellow independents. They’ll passionately encourage people to shop small, buy local and champion creative businesses.
Yet photographers are often the invisible piece of the puzzle.
The irony is; your brand imagery is usually doing a huge amount of heavy lifting in your marketing.
Those photographs are helping:
- stopping the scroll
- building trust
- telling your story
- helping customers connect emotionally with your brand
They’re often one of the most visible investments a business makes.
So when photographers are tagged, credited or recommended, it creates a rather lovely full-circle moment of businesses supporting businesses.
And truthfully, it never goes unnoticed.
I have some superb clients who tag me all the time, and it’s warm fuzzy feeling and actually it strengthens relationships too.
The Tiny Gesture That Goes a Long Way
The nicest part?
Most photographers aren’t expecting fanfares.
A simple tag.
A mention in stories.
A recommendation when somebody compliments your images.
That alone can mean the world.
Because creative businesses thrive through visibility, relationships and word of mouth – even digital word of mouth.
So next time you upload one of your beautiful brand photographs, perhaps spare a thought for the person behind the camera, whoever they were.
Possibly crouching in a muddy field.
Probably carrying too many bags.
Almost certainly editing long after everybody else has gone to bed.
And maybe… give them a little tag 🏷️
By Matt Sweeting Photography
Wishing you all a wonderful day and week ahead.
Rachel x
