Tipping—oh, the subject that never fails to ignite passionate debates within the professional realm. Some swear by it, while others vehemently oppose it. Today, let’s embark on a journey that intertwines knowledge and narrative, delving into a question that arises during countless cherished occasions: the intriguing matter of tipping photographers.
As we explore this topic, prepare to be captivated, enlightened, and perhaps even surprised by the fascinating insights that lie ahead. So, dear reader, come along as we unravel the complexities of this tipping conundrum and unlock the secrets behind that ubiquitous question: should you tip your photographers?
Key Takeaways
- Tipping, or gratuity, refers to the act of giving money to a service provider as a token of appreciation.
- Tipping is not always customary for photographers, especially if they are independent contractors who have factored their time and services into their rates.
- Tipping is optional and should never be obligatory. You should never feel compelled to tip a photographer.
- Instead of or in addition to tipping, leaving a positive review and referring photographers to others can greatly benefit their business.
- The expectation of tipping varies across different countries and industries.
- For wedding photographers, tipping is generally considered acceptable due to the extensive coordination and efforts involved in capturing the special day.
- Engagement photographers are typically not tipped, but if they provided exceptional service or went above and beyond, a tip can be considered.
- Family, newborn, and maternity photographers are typically compensated through their rates, but a tip can be given to show appreciation for exceptional service.
- Headshot photographers, photo booth attendants, and boudoir photographers usually do not expect tips.
- Ultimately, it is important to communicate with the photographer about the services included and consider tipping as a way to express gratitude for exceptional experiences beyond what was initially agreed upon.
What is a tip, really?
A tip or gratuity is money given by a customer to a service provider. The service provider can be in a wide variety of industries: food service, hospitality, transport, and the like.
The Wikipedia article on tipping notes an interesting point about tips: they are irreversible, whereas the amount charged for the service can be refunded.
You can also refer to the article to see in which countries tipping is customary/expected and in which countries it is not. Interestingly enough, research has found that in countries like Australia where there is no tipping, the service is just as good as in the USA, where tipping is expected.
Tipping photographers if they are self employed photographers
This is a bit of a hot debate and I am going to take a controversial position here.
The initial philosophy behind gratuity was that employers could get away with paying minimum wage and unloading the rest of the burden of paying their workers well onto their customers(who are already paying them money).
Tipping actually started during Prohibition, which is an interesting story in case you’d like to check it out.
When you hire a self employed photographer, they’re basically charging you for their own time and photography services, and they’re the boss of the price they set.
If they feel their skill set and services are worth $150, they’ll charge $150, and if you feel that’s a good price, you’ll pay the $150 and they go home $150 richer for their services.
In some cases where they have to go above and beyond just regular camera work(like being extra patient with kids), they’ll generally factor that into their charge.
So as a general rule, you can avoid tipping photographers if they are independent contractors. Sometimes, a professional photographer will go the extra mile and really over-deliver, in which case you may want to give a tip.
(I told you this was going to be controversial!)
However, if you buy services from an agency and they send someone over, you may wish to tip them. You don’t know how much they’re being paid, and while certainly not obligatory, you can say an extra thank you to them if they did a good job.
Are tips expected?
At this point we’re in the debate of whether tips are expected or not. If you’re in the United States and you go to a restaurant, you’re expected to tip, period.
In other industries, it’s a little dicier. I scoured the internet and read up on people’s opinions regarding tipping photographers and before I get into the gist of what I found, here’s something to think about:
When hiring a photographer, ask about all the services they’ll provide. Will they call the venue? Will they do this? Will they do that?
If everything is a part of their package, then it’s covered by their rates. But if a photographer decides to go the extra mile for you and does something for you that they did not have to, you should consider tipping and leaving a good review.
Generally speaking, it’s expected to tip a wedding photographer.
Tipping for wedding photographers
Interestingly enough, the general consensus behind tipping wedding photographers is that you can tip wedding photographers.
Please note that can and should are not the same thing.
However, many people feel they wish to say an extra thank you to the photographer who was with them on their special day, so they do tip.
Many people justify wedding tips as an extra boost for the multitude of coordination, photography, editing, and delivery that photographers have to do(in many cases, photographers actually direct the wedding as it happens!).
- They take the photographs
- They have to stay up to date with the whole program
- They’re in constant contact with you up to the wedding, so they’re really giving a lot more time than just the photo shoot
- They deal with all of your guests while taking photos of you on your wedding day
Again, I’d like to bring to mind the point I raised above: independent contractors know this and they will have factored the time and effort cost of everything into their rates.
If they haven’t, they’re not running their business correctly!
Weddings are special, though, and if you tip wedding photographers to say a little thank you, it is much appreciated.
Another (and perhaps better) way to show appreciation for your wedding photographer is by leaving them good online reviews or referring them to your friends, which would go much further than the amount of money you give them.
Remember to account for tipping your wedding photographer in your wedding budget!
Tipping for engagement photos
Engagement photos are special much like wedding photos, but they’re not too complex. Generally, the shoot is not as time-consuming as a wedding and there isn’t such a wide variety of shots.
As such, most people do not tip engagement photographers.
However, if you went all out on planning your engagement and your photographer helped you out along the way, you can consider tipping.
Do you tip family portrait photographers?
Family photos can be tough, especially with little kids. Kids are not used to sitting still for more than one tenth of a second, and to get them to sit still, pose nicely with a smile, and take a photograph in that much time requires patience and skill.
Family photographs are usually done in private or through a photography service in a mall or a big box store.
You don’t need to tip at big box stores, since it’s just part of their job and tipping etiquette doesn’t dictate tipping for service at stores.
For a private service, if a photographer is offering family photos, they knew what they signed up for, and their rates will reflect it.
Still, if your kids were particularly noisy or antsy during the shoot and the photographer did a really good job, you may like to say thank you with a tip.
Do you tip newborn photographers?
Newborn photography is very challenging and photographers have to be really patient with the whole shoot. You may start the shoot only for your newborn to have to feed or take a nap, and the photographer may have to wait on site before they can start again.
Because of the challenging nature of this photo session, you can give a small tip if your photographer provided exceptional service.
Do you tip headshot photographers?
What about headshot photography for your LinkedIn and social profiles?
In these settings, it’s usually very cut and dry and there’s not much involved. With professional headshots, there’s a flat rate for each photo and I don’t think you should tip, nor would the photographer expect a tip.
Do you tip maternity photographers?
Maternity photographs are quite straightforward and you’ll usually do them with a photography company. There’s not much to maternity photographs and it’s usually a quick session.
The general consensus is that you don’t have to tip a ph for maternity photographs.
Do you tip the photo booth attendant?
The photo booth attendant is sometimes like a cashier at a store. They’re not actually involved in the photo taking process, much like a cashier is not involved in helping you shop. Photo booth attendants don’t expect tips.
Do you tip a boudoir photographer?
Boudoir photography can be very stressful since you’re putting yourself in a very vulnerable position in front of the photographer. For a boudoir shoot, you’re not going to hire an average photographer- instead, it will be someone that you really trust.
Photographers have to be really professional during boudoir shoots, as they won’t show any emotion/reaction to you when you are in very vulnerable positions.
Because this type of photography is so sensitive, you should definitely tip your photographer here.
Related
Closing thoughts
In the vast realm of photography, rates are meticulously crafted to encompass the full scope of services, from inception to completion. While tipping photographers may not be customary, a shifting landscape has seen some photographers embracing and even expecting gratuities. Personally, I believe that their rate cards should accurately reflect the value they provide, rendering tipping truly optional and never obligatory. Remember, you should never feel compelled to tip.
However, let us not forget that a tip, while a kind gesture for a job well done, only offers a fleeting moment of delight—a cup of coffee savored or a sumptuous meal relished. For those seeking to express genuine gratitude, the true impact lies beyond the realm of monetary tokens. A positive review and heartfelt referrals can propel a photographer’s business to soaring heights.
So, should you wish to extend your appreciation, why not go the extra mile? Beyond a tip, leave a glowing review that showcases the photographer’s talent and professionalism. Such an act not only immortalizes your satisfaction but also helps them attract future clients, fostering growth and success.
Let us pause here to clarify—an earnest review should never be a substitute for rightful payment. Offering exposure instead of just compensation is unequivocally a “no-no.” Remember, fair remuneration is the bedrock upon which the creative industry thrives.
As we conclude this exploration of tipping photographers, let us ponder the profound influence of our choices. Together, we can shape a culture that celebrates excellence, acknowledges artistic prowess, and fosters meaningful connections. So, whether you choose to tip or not, may your appreciation be a catalyst for the thriving careers of these talented image artisans.