Sharing a single photo on Instagram is great, but what if you want to showcase an entire collection of images from your vacation, event, or product line? That's where Instagram's multiple photo feature comes in handy. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about posting multiple photos on Instagram, whether you're using the carousel feature, creating a collage, or sharing to your Stories.

What Are Instagram Multiple Photo Posts?

Instagram allows users to share up to 10 photos or videos in a single post. This feature, often called a carousel, lets followers swipe through your images without cluttering their feed with separate posts. It's perfect for telling a visual story or showing different angles of the same subject.

Posting Multiple Photos as a Carousel Post

Step-by-Step Guide for iPhone and Android

1. Open the Instagram app on your device
2. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom center of the screen
3. Select "Post" from the options that appear
4. Tap on the multiple photo selection icon (square icon with multiple layers) in the bottom right corner of your image preview
5. Browse your gallery and select up to 10 photos or videos by tapping on them (they'll be numbered in the order you select them)
6. Tap "Next" in the top right corner
7. Apply filters to all photos or edit them individually
8. Tap "Next" again
9. Write your caption, add location, tag people, and adjust other settings as desired
10. Tap "Share" to publish your multiple photo post

Tips for Creating the Perfect Carousel Post

• Place your strongest image first to grab attention
• Keep a consistent theme or color scheme across all photos
• Consider the order of your photos to tell a cohesive story
• Mix photos and videos for more dynamic content
• Use the caption to guide viewers through your carousel

Changing the Order of Photos in Your Multiple Photo Post

When creating a carousel post, the order of your photos matters. Here's how to rearrange them:

1. After selecting multiple photos, look at the preview screen
2. Press and hold the photo you want to move
3. Drag it to your desired position in the sequence
4. Release to place it in the new spot

If you've already posted your carousel and want to change the order, unfortunately, Instagram doesn't allow editing the sequence after posting. You'd need to delete the post and create a new one with the correct order.

Posting Multiple Photos to Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories offer another way to share multiple photos, with each image appearing as a separate story frame. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Uploading multiple photos at once

1. Open Instagram and swipe right or tap your profile picture with the “+” sign to access Stories
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the gallery icon to access your camera roll
3. Tap the "Select multiple" button (it looks like stacked squares)
4. Select up to 10 photos by tapping on them
5. Tap "Next"
6. Edit each photo individually by tapping on it
7. Add stickers, text, or drawings as desired
8. Tap "Next" again
9. Choose who can see your story
10. Tap "Share" to post all photos to your Story

Method 2: Using the Layout Feature for Stories

Instagram's Layout feature lets you create a collage within a single Story frame:

1. Open Instagram and swipe right to access Stories
2. Scroll through the bottom menu options and select "Layout"
3. Choose your preferred grid layout
4. Tap each section to add a photo from your gallery
5. Once your layout is complete, add text, stickers, or effects
6. Tap "Your Story" to share

Creating photo collages for Instagram

If you want to combine multiple photos into a single image before posting to Instagram, you can create a collage. Here are two approaches:

Using Instagram's Layout App

1. Download the Layout app by Instagram (available for free on iOS and Android)
2. Open the app and select up to 9 photos from your gallery
3. Choose a layout design that works for your photos
4. Adjust the borders, replace photos, or mirror/flip images as needed
5. Tap "Save" to save your collage to your device
6. Open Instagram and post the collage as a single image

Using Third-Party Collage Apps

Many third-party apps offer more advanced collage features:

App Name	Key Features	Platform
Canva	Professional templates, extensive editing tools	iOS, Android, Web
PicCollage	Stickers, backgrounds, free-form editing	iOS, Android
PhotoGrid	Hundreds of layouts, video collages	iOS, Android
Unfold	Minimalist designs, story templates	iOS, Android

Posting Multiple Photos to Instagram from a Computer

You can also post multiple photos to Instagram from your computer. Here's how:

Using Instagram Website

1. Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account
2. Click the "+" icon at the top of the page
3. Click "Select from computer" to choose photos
4. Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking to select multiple photos
5. Click "Open"
6. Arrange your photos by dragging them into your preferred order
7. Click "Next"
8. Apply filters or edit photos as needed
9. Click "Next" again
10. Add your caption and other details
11. Click "Share" to post

Using Creator Studio for Business Accounts

If you have a business or creator account, you can use Facebook's Creator Studio:

1. Go to Creator Studio
2. Connect your Instagram account if you haven't already
3. Click the Instagram icon at the top of the page
4. Click "Create Post" and select "Instagram Feed"
5. Click "Add Content" and select multiple photos
6. Arrange your photos in the desired order
7. Add your caption and other details
8. Click "Publish" or schedule for later

Advanced Tips for Multiple Photo Posts

Creating Panoramic Images Across Multiple Slides

You can create a panoramic effect by splitting a wide image into multiple squares:

1. Use an app like Photoshop, Canva, or dedicated apps like Panorama for Instagram to slice your wide image into square sections
2. Save each section as a separate image
3. Upload them in the correct order as a carousel post
4. When viewers swipe, they'll see your panoramic image piece by piece

Comparison: Different Ways to Share Multiple Photos on Instagram

Method	Pros	Cons	Best Used For
Carousel Posts	Clean feed, interactive, up to 10 photos	Can't edit order after posting	Photo series, before/after, product showcases
Multiple Story Frames	Quick sharing, disappears after 24 hours	Temporary content	Real-time updates, casual sharing
Collages	All photos visible at once	Limited space for each image	Thematic collections, mood boards
Separate Posts	Each photo gets full attention	Can flood followers' feeds	Major announcements, high-importance images

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Photos Not Uploading

If you're having trouble uploading multiple photos, try these fixes:

• Check your internet connection
• Restart the Instagram app
• Update the app to the latest version
• Clear the app cache (Android) or reinstall the app (iOS)
• Reduce photo file sizes if they're too large
• Try uploading fewer photos at once

Photos Appearing in Wrong Order

If your photos aren't appearing in the order you intended:

• Double-check the numbering when selecting photos
• Pay attention to the order in the preview before posting
• Remember that you can drag and rearrange photos before posting
• If already posted incorrectly, you'll need to delete and repost

Poor Image Quality After Uploading

To maintain the best image quality when posting multiple photos:

• Use high-resolution images (but not excessively large files)
• Avoid screenshots or previously compressed images
• Edit photos before uploading rather than using Instagram's basic editing tools
• Check that your app settings aren't set to upload in lower quality to save data

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!) , register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Using Multiple Photos for Business and Marketing

Showcasing Products

Multiple photo posts are excellent for product showcases:

• Show different angles of a product
• Display color or style variations
• Include close-ups of important details
• Add photos of the product in use
• Include customer testimonials or reviews as text images

Before and After Transformations

Perfect for services that create visible changes:

• Home renovations
• Fitness transformations
• Makeup applications
• Hair styling
• Art restorations

Event Coverage

Carousel posts work well for summarizing events:

• Select key moments that tell the story of the event
• Mix wide shots and close-ups
• Include photos of different aspects (venue, people, activities)
• Add a video clip as one of the slides for more dynamic content

Instagram Multiple Photo Post Analytics

If you have a business or creator account, you can view insights on how your multiple photo posts perform:

1. Go to the post you want to analyze
2. Tap "View Insights" below the post
3. For carousel posts, you can see which slides had the most engagement
4. Check which slide caused people to drop off from swiping
5. Use these insights to improve future carousel posts

Creative Ideas for Multiple Photo Posts

Tell a Sequential Story

Use the carousel format to tell a story that unfolds as viewers swipe:

• Show a process from start to finish
• Create a mini-tutorial
• Share a day in your life
• Create a before, during, and after sequence

Create a Theme Across Slides

Unify your carousel with consistent elements:

• Use the same filter across all photos
• Maintain a consistent color scheme
• Feature the same subject from different perspectives
• Create a visual pattern that continues across slides

Mix Content Types

Combine different formats for more engaging carousels:

• Start with a photo and end with a video reveal
• Include text slides between photos to provide context
• Alternate between close-ups and wide shots
• Mix professional photos with behind-the-scenes candids

Frequently Asked Questions

How many photos can I post in one Instagram carousel?

You can post up to 10 photos or videos in a single Instagram carousel post. This limit applies to both personal and business accounts. You must select at least 2 items to create a carousel.

Can I edit a carousel post after it's been published?

You can edit the caption, location, and tags of a carousel post after publishing, but you cannot change the order of photos, add new photos, or remove specific photos from the carousel. If you need to make changes to the images themselves, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one.

Why can't I select multiple photos on Instagram?

If you can't select multiple photos, check that your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. The multiple photo feature was introduced in 2017, so older versions won't have it. If your app is updated and you still can't select multiple photos, try restarting the app or your device. In some cases, clearing the app cache (on Android) or reinstalling the app can help.

Do all photos in a carousel need to be the same size?

No, the photos don't need to be the same size originally. Instagram will automatically crop them to the aspect ratio you choose for the first image (square, portrait, or landscape). However, all photos in the carousel will be displayed in the same aspect ratio, so plan your compositions accordingly.

Can I post both photos and videos in the same carousel?

Yes, you can mix photos and videos in the same carousel post. Each item counts toward the 10-item limit. Videos in carousels can be up to 60 seconds long, just like regular video posts. This mixed-media approach can be very effective for product demonstrations or telling stories with both still and moving images.

Conclusion

Posting multiple photos on Instagram opens up creative possibilities that single-image posts simply can't match. Whether you're using carousel posts, stories, or collages, sharing multiple images allows you to tell more complete visual stories and engage your audience on a deeper level. With the step-by-step instructions in this guide, you're now equipped to make the most of Instagram's multiple photo features.

Remember that practice makes perfect. Experiment with different approaches to multiple photo posts to discover what works best for your content and audience. Pay attention to which carousel posts get the most engagement, and use those insights to refine your strategy over time. Happy posting!