When do you tip your photographer?

Depends. Do they own the business or are employees of a business

I am curious about this too! I don't want to wait to tip them, and then have them be offended and grumpy at me while editing my photos. But at the same time, it seems strange somehow to have it all done before you've even seen their work. And if you decided to tip part upfront and then the rest later, maybe they're still grumpy that you only gave 10% originally and they think that's all... I think I'm overthinking it >_<

I was torn on this as well, but ended up tipping at the end of the reception (she owned her own photography company, but did an amazing job on our engagement photos, so at least I knew what to expect.) I just got our sneak peek photos and she was definitely worth the tip we gave her! We also wrote her a great review here/on Yelp.

Pretty sure you don't tip your photographer.

We aren't tipping ours, but we did get her a cute little camera lens thermos.

We tipped all vendors at the end of the night. DH and BM took care of it.

I can't imagine not tipping any of our vendors.

Holly- I was thinking the same exact thing. I think what we are going to do, is give him a monetary tip after the reception. And then when he gives us our photo album probably give him like a little thermal cup with a gift card in it or something. Nothing out of control since I already would have given him a tip.

For the amount of money I'm paying my photog.....HA. She's already making over $100 an hour to be there. Why on earth would I tip her???

Most people don't tip photographers since most own their own businesses. I am sure your photographer would prefer good online reviews and word of mouth referrals over just about anything you can give them, future business is a better reward.

We actually tipped

Both of ours when they arrived at our respective getting

Ready locations

Edited because my fat fingers can't seem to type this morning

@ love bubbles, do you know a lot of people who get to deal with the owners of the company? Lucky them. Both my photographers worked for the guy who owned the company, which meant both needed a tip

Sorry for posting again, but for all those ladies worrying about tipping before you see work, just consider this. As o said, we tipped both when they arrived for the day. Let me tell you, they were helpful to us, and didn't miss any shots! They went above and beyond, and the end result was fantastic!

Our photographer owns her business, and she's the daughter of some friends of ours. So we weren't planning on tipping her, but we were planning on sending her a gift and a card after we recieved our photos. We know her personally somewhat, so we thought it'd be nicer to send her a gift because it seems more personal.

If you are going to tip, I would do it after you've recieved the photos. You're tipping your other vendors after they've offered a service and you're satisfied/impressed by their work. So I think the same goes with your photographer. Tip after you've gotten gorgeous pictures back.

We tipped our photographers after the wedding. We wrote a thank you card, good reviews and sent a check as a tip.

FWIW, they did not own the business but I loved working with them!

Following

@shelby b, keep in mind the hours upon hours that go in to editing 100s, sometimes 1000s, of photos.

Our photographers own their business but I don't think that really matters. I want to tip all of our vendors and we will but it's gonna hurt dishing out extra money in the end.

@Kris all of my vendors own their own business, and all of the people I met with and considered also owned their own businesses. I wanted to support to little guy vs. a company and honestly I think I am getting better service because they have much more personal stake in making sure things go well.

I am not tipping my photographer. I got her a nice bracelet that has a camera on it and another charm that says "do what you love, love what you do" and then I think I am going to get her a gift card to somewhere. Maybe the spa or something like that.

MissEtoB they may make more in a week but think about how many hours that really is. Photographers make their own hours and can have up to 80 hour work weeks just editing.

I was thinking about this too.. My photographer is only charging me 975 (full wedding coverage) I seen her work, and she is amazing! She owns her business. Should I still tip her?