Tipping the second shooter

I could just be new at all this, but when you're paying your photographer thousands of dollars then they don't get a tip.....

I would absolutely not be tipping my photographer. I don't know how this has gotten to be a thing at all.

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I know it is not a requirement, but I do plan on tipping them.

It's pretty normal to tip a photographer $60-100 cash on the wedding day. If you're having two of them, the lead will split it with the second photographer, usually a 40/60 split, with the lead getting the 60.

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If you're paying less than $3k, you should probably tip them. Otherwise, they are probably living off a very modest salary.

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So I should just give the tip to the lead photographer and she can split it like she sees fit?

Usually, if the photographer is the owner of the photography company, no tip is required, but a second shooter can be tipped 50 to 100 or more depending on budget.

View Quoted Comment ..... yes they do. They are providing a service for you. This is awful advice.

If you were to tip the photographer 100 I’d tip the secondary shooter about 50-75.

I’m a recent bride and professional photographer. I never expect a tip, but there are many times we go above and beyond our requirements as photographers, and so a tip is a wonderful way to say thank you and recognize that you received a good service. I have been at weddings where I was sewing a hem back on that a seamstress forgot, putting florals on a cake, picking up flowers that the florist forgot to deliver, setting cupcakes out on the cake table and bustling the brides dress. None of these things are what your photography fee pays for, but I would rather jump in and help make the day goes smoothly then sit back and wait for the person who is supposed to be paid for that to do their job. A tip is a nice way to say thank you for going above and beyond! Also, please remember that just because your photographer cost a lot of money does not mean they are pocketing all of that as profit. In fact, they are likely profiting very little. Just a few things to keep in mind! If the second photographer is not an owner of the business, I think you would be fine if you simply if that person the day of, I’m sure your photographer won’t think twice about it. If you are worried, you can always simply tell the main photog. They will understand.

I don't know if this is actually standard but I read that you should tip anyone who isn't the owner of their business. My main photographer is the owner and she's bringing a second photographer, so I should probably tip the second one, but I'm not sure if it'll look like a slight to the main one, who is doing all of the editing. I am paying an arm and a leg for this so I'm not sure a tip should really be necessary anyway...

But the same situation goes for my DJ team (one is owner, one is an employee).

Has anyone dealt with this?

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Sorry but I must chime in here. I am a full time wedding photographer of 20 years, I am also a single mom of two girls. By the time I leave my home and drive to each wedding, shoot 8 hours then back home, it is a 10-12 hour day if not more. Then I do all of the editing including all of my 2nd shooters photos. I also drive to and from the engagement session, bridal session, boudoir session, edit all of those images, prepare paper work, attend meetings, venue walk through's months to a year prior, numerous emails, text, and calls back and forth leading up to each session and wedding day. I can guarantee you a tip is VERY much appreciated for the lead shooter after the hours upon hours of work that we put in to each and every wedding and detail.

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Thanks for your input Brandi. That is great to know. Going by the industry standards and tipping owners of companies, is what most people will research and go by. My wedding was actually over 2 years ago at this point of your response, and I would like to add, that my photographer was the owner of his company and I tipped him, $500 at the end of the night. He went above and beyond and deserved it, plus I had a ton of drinks that elevated my generosity level.

But again, tipping is a personal preference and although it is greatly appreciated as you state, its not guaranteed, so I suggest raising your rates, or noting that tipping is appreciated in your contract or you may not receive anything.

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Thanks for your input Brandi. That is great to know. Going by the industry standards and tipping owners of companies, is what most people will research and go by. My wedding was actually over 2 years ago at this point of your response, and I would like to add, that my photographer was the owner of his company and I tipped him, $500 at the end of the night. He went above and beyond and deserved it, plus I had a ton of drinks that elevated my generosity level.

But again, tipping is a personal preference and although it is greatly appreciated as you state, its not guaranteed, so I suggest raising your rates, or noting that tipping is appreciated in your contract or you may not receive anything.

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I raise my rates each year, I never expect tips, but yes they are appreciated when I do receive them. Not every bride realizes just how much work we do. What we charge is not just to shoot and edit the wedding, we have to pay taxes, sales taxes, overhead costs, vendor insurance, equipment insurance, vehicle maintenance, travel expenses, office supplies, 2nd, 3rd shooters and assistants, website upkeep, not to mention pay bills. So, a small tip to simply say "thank you" means more than you know.

Appreciate your response, not even sure how I stumbled across this but glad I did. Congrats to you, even 2 years later

View Quoted Comment Thanks Brandi. My wedding is quickly approaching and I wasn't sure about tipping etiquette. I will have a photographer who will have a second shooter with her. Should I tip both or just the lead and assume she will split the tip accordingly? How would I know if she didn't?

View Quoted Comment I am going through this very dilemma now. Glad I am not the only one. My wedding planner isn't much help. She just said tip everyone, a lot. Which, if that's the norm, I will.

Now that I typed that out, it seems abnormal!!