Photographer Gratuity

I don't agree with the "don't tip if they own the business" idea I've seen on here.

Tip them.

Owning the business should not make a difference when the owner is actually shooting alongside the others. If you tip one, you should tip the other.

ETA: you do not have to tip anyone! If not part of the bill that you agreed to, tipping is totally discretionary. Is it nice and awesome and well received? Absolutely! Is it warranted? That's subjective and that is why it's discretionary.

Following! I just had an engagement shoot (part of overall package) and didn't tip. Now I'm wondering how much to tip the two photographers on my wedding day- @linds, yes! 20% for me would be over $700 which seems like a lot.

15-20% tip. Yes tip your vendors even if they own their business. Only how I don't recommend tipping is if they give you bad service.

Here's from WW

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-tipping-guide

ETA: link

My tips range from $100-$300 for 8 hours. I get tipped about 50% of the time. Sometimes my tip is given as soon as I get there (in an envelope given to me by the DOC), other times at the end of night.

It's never expected but sure makes my day!

If I were tipped 20% of my bill, my tips would range between $400-800 ... that's ALOT of money and I would fall over if I got that every time I was tipped.

Owners will generally, if they are good owners, go over the top for you. Depending on your experience, I'd think 50-150.00 each, but I would probably wait until your process is all done, you have your photos and then send them a note with a check.

And review them! That is our best tip.

ZimWifey, I agree.

Yes! Celia, I so agree. Reviews are awesome! And yes, you can always wait for the finished product to be delivered and seen if you want to tip but are cautious.

Thanks everyone. I work in the service industry (bartender/special events) so I'm really uncomfortable with the idea of not tipping, even if they are business owners. I was searching the web for tipping etiquette in this scenario (percentage vs flat amount, etc) and found nothing helpful as they almost all said not to tip, or to tip an amount that seemed very low to me. You've all been very helpful. I'd love to hear from any more photographers/brides/etc on how much they think tips should be and when the most appropriate time to give them is. I worry that if I wait until I receive pics to give gratuity, they will think that I am just not tipping them.

Kathleen nailed it on all counts. Nothing further to add.

I would not tip a percentage to photographers. 20% of my total would have been a $1000 tip which is an outrageous tip. $50-$150 per shooter is totally fine if you feel the service warrants a tip. And yes, I would tip both of them in your case OP.

My photographer package included two shooters. It's his own business and I tipped him $200. I used a tip guide my DOC gave me.

I tipped mine because he was amazing! He helped me with so much that wasn't even photography related.... he was blown away when we tipped him. Note, he owns the business.

Exactly....most of us don't really expect tips, but are delighted when we get them in any capacity, and of course reviews. Owning a business has zero to do with anything if they were the person who gave you personalized service and hard work. I mean, unless we're a large company, what exactly do we own? I don't own shit except my name, brand, client base, and equipment.