In this personal opinion piece, I’m going to share whether I believe tipping is necessary for wedding photographers. The to-tip-or-not-to-tip debate is generally split about 80 / 20 according to sources I’ve found around the web. The majority say that tipping your wedding photographer is not required. Remaining voices say that yes, you should tip.
As a wedding photographer myself, I have a unique insight into the debate. A working wedding professional’s input can often be more valuable than the generic ‘wedding tipping guides’ that you can find in abundance. So here’s my two cents to add to the debate!
In this article, I’m going to take you through whether you should tip your wedding photographer, when to tip them, how much to tip them and alternatives to tipping. The conclusions are quite surprising. Let’s get to it!
Looking for ways to love on your wedding photographer – including those that don’t involve tipping? Here’s my list of 17 ways you can be the best wedding photography client ever!
Table of Contents
Should you tip your wedding photographer?
In wedding photography, tipping is not expected but it is appreciated. A wedding photographer will not take offense if you do not tip them. It is largely down to your personal preference, particularly if the photographer has gone above and beyond, or if they are not the business owner.
Generally speaking, a tip is not standard practice. Personally speaking, I would say that only about 15-20% of all wedding clients give me a tip.
Not the type to tip at every opportunity? No problem. There are many other ways to say thank you, which I detail below.
Thanking your photographer for the service they provided does not have to be in monetary format. A tip is sometimes a gesture that many couples would like to make – but after the expense of a wedding, there is simply not the opportunity to do so. We totally feel you there and do not hold it against you!
How much should you tip your wedding photographer?
A very general guideline amount for tipping wedding photographers in the United States was given by The Knot. Their guide was to tip $50 – $200.
You can alternatively think of tipping as a percentage rather than a flat rate. The percentage amount to tip varies between about 5% – 15% of the total that you paid minus any tax.
The range depends on how that amount shakes out and *feels* to you! 15% on a top package of $5,500 would be $825. This, in my opinion would be way too much to tip.
Personal anecdote time: the smallest tip I have ever received was $10. The largest was over $600. So, it varies greatly. 🤠
This, to me, is a sign that there is no real standard practice.
It is not seen as ‘cheaping out’ or insulting if you only give a small tip – because there is no expectation to tip at all in the first place.
Under what circumstances should you tip and not tip your photographer?
There’s no need to work a tip for your photographer into your wedding budget, unless you feel strongly about it or they’ve gone above and beyond. Unlike many other service professionals, photographers are paid what they need to make a living without the addition of a tip.
Photographers that own their own businesses set their prices per job to ensure they’re getting what they need, with the profit margin they require. This is unlike contracted workers such as bar staff, drivers, even some makeup and planning assistants that get paid a contracted per-hour rate.
If you feel a photographer has gone above and beyond, however, then a tip recognizes that extra level of service.
For example, a photographer throws in an extra 15 minutes on your wedding day without charging overage fees (that would set you back $100 or more)? A tip recognizes this, and the extra hours of work associated with that additional shooting time.
A photographer lends you and sets up equipment that is beyond what’s stated in their contract, so that you could stream your wedding? Obviously, they have saved you a lot of money, so tip them!
You have asked for multiple phone calls, venue visits and extra meetings that are above and beyond what’s usually offered (and which photographers do not charge for)? A tip compensates them for the extra time they ungrudgingly gave to you.
The photographer accommodated multiple date changes? That could have cost them a lot in lost revenue while you were parked on different dates!
In this post above, I explain how wedding photography pricing is designed to take into account differing levels of client needs. So, even if you asked for more than standard, a tip is still a nice-to-have, not a necessity that the photographer is dependent upon.
Another scenario in which a tip is really deserved is if the photographer you used is very new and just starting out in business. Everyone has to start somewhere! I shot my first weddings for $0, and received a tip and a gift from my first ever clients.
And it goes without saying, if you were NOT at all wowed by your photographer’s level of service, then there is absolutely no obligation to tip! In a restaurant, you tip a waiter even if the service he provided was horrible. This is because waiting staff depends on that money to make a living! (In the US anyway).
Photographers do not depend on their tips. They truly are just a bonus (particularly so if they are the business owner). Never feel pressure to tip.
When to tip your wedding photographer
Whenever I do receive a tip, it’s almost always on the wedding day itself. Sometimes couples tip during the payment process which is done online prior to the wedding. It’s always OK to ask your photographer what they would prefer if you want to give a tip.
Some would prefer it to be in cash or Venmo to keep it off the books. Others may prefer this to be done online with the rest of the payment.
Personally, I am fine with tips to be paid by Venmo, cash, check, or through my online payment portal where there is the option to ‘Add Gratuity’ when you’re making your final payment.
I’ve included a link to my Venmo in this article:
Side note – wondering about wedding photographer pricing and what the etiquette is around price negotiations? I’ve written a detailed guide on wedding photography negotiation best practices, linked below!
The strange thing about tipping is that we tip based on the service, rather than the outcome. And uniquely with photography, the outcome of their services is not seen for several weeks or months.
The purpose of the tip is to thank your photographer for the service and help they have provided in the run-up to the day – and the big day itself. Not so much to signify approval of the finished photos.
Personally, I have never gotten a tip after delivery of the images. I am not sure there would even be a way of doing this. I can’t tell you how many times a couple has said ‘oh, we will for sure tip you! You were amazing! I have an envelope for you but I can’t remember where it is right now.’ Does the tip ever materialize at a later date? Not so much. 😞
So, if you are going to give a tip and have budgeted for it, make sure you designate a point person to give out tips on the night (or take care of it before the wedding if that’s your jam).
This person is usually a wedding planner. It’s a normal part of their job to deal with tipping the vendors. However, many couples do not have planners, in which case a parent or bridesmaid is a good candidate for distributing tips.
The trick is to remember to hand them out just before each vendor’s scheduled departure time. Otherwise you’ll be going home with that tip which will likely not find its way to the vendor afterwards.
The Knot’s advice on tipping wedding photographers
The Knot is the largest wedding publication in the US. Their advice is followed and treated as authoritative by thousands of people who seek information on the topic of tipping wedding vendors.
You’re not expected to give your shutterbugs [a tip]. But if the wedding photographer or videographer doesn’t own the studio, consider tipping each person (or give a certain amount with a thank-you note to disperse to staff).
Protocol: Optional
The Standard: $50–$200 per vendor
The Knot, Your Wedding Vendor Tipping Cheat Sheet
The Knot raises a crucial point. They draw a distinction between whether the photographer present is a business owner vs. an independent contractor paid by the hour. Examples of the latter being an associate photographer or a second photographer.
Any independent contractor will only receive a small amount of what the couple paid for the photos. Therefore, they deserve a little extra.
When I receive a tip from clients where the wedding is shot by an associate or has a second photographer, I immediately pass the tip on to them. They have worked really hard for you and for my business, so I believe any tip belongs to them, not to me.
To understand more about photographers that do not own the business they shoot for (aka ‘associate photographers’), check out my article linked here:
This raises a great point, that if the photographer is paid by the hour to be there and isn’t the business owner, they do deserve a tip! Business owners, as I alluded to earlier, have already set their own prices to make a living doing what they do.
Other ways you can show your appreciation without tipping
Referrals
Tipping isn’t always the most valuable way of showing your appreciation! 😮 A referral is the ‘tip’ that keeps on giving. Make it a point to share your photographer’s information with friends, family and coworkers who are getting married soon! And don’t forget to tag them and shout them out when you post your wedding photos on socials!
Writing online reviews
Writing a review is also an absolutely excellent way of showing your photographer your appreciation! It takes you 10-15 minutes to write and will help increase the visibility of their business online, bolster trust and provide excellent social proof for years to come. That is beyond anything that can even be purchased!
Want to go above and beyond? Ask if your photographer would like a video testimonial that they can use in their marketing. A simple video made on your phone is so helpful because it conveys authentic praise from a real client.
Linked below is my full and comprehensive guide to writing amazing online reviews for your wedding photographer!
A small, inexpensive gift
I have received lovely gifts from clients too, which have made me very happy! 🥰 A well-chosen gift does not have to cost very much, but can really make us feel so appreciated. Examples include a silk scarf, a necklace, box of chocolates, item of stationery, cool notebook, travel mug, cute pair of socks!
Email of thanks or a greetings card
You’d be surprised how many times we send off a client’s gallery and never hear from them again. All those hours and days of work and we are left thinking, ‘did they like the photos? Did I do right by them? Are they going to ask for changes to be made?’
A heartfelt thank you email, that signals your happiness with our services, is the best way of concluding the transaction. No need to get your wallet out.
You can give a greeting card at the wedding or send it along by mail afterward with your thank-you cards to guests.
Many photographers keep all physical correspondence they receive from clients as little souvenirs. These mementos can actually keep us going when things are tough. So, never underestimate how long a simple card, postcard or note of thanks can go.
To conclude
We know that weddings can be financially draining. Sometimes, even with the best will in the world, a tip is simply not possible and we do not hold it against you – far from it! Other times, couples choose not to tip or it simply does not occur to them. We respect that a tip is not our right in the profession we are in. And we never expect one!
No photographer should ever use salesman-like tactics or cringey maneuvers to hint that you should tip them! That is really not cool and they should feel bad for guilt-tripping the clients that trusted them.
A professional, established vendor should already know and charge their worth.
Tipping a newcomer or a friendtographer, especially one that gave you an amazing deal, is really nice and will truly help their bottom line. Likewise a photographer that went to great, great lengths to help you. Beyond that, it’s your call.
Remember, tipping is a gesture. There are other gestures you can make that are also just as meaningful. Some gestures such as writing a review or sending referrals our way, are arguably even more valuable than a tip. Referrals might be worth several thousand dollars, especially as they have an exponential effect!
So to sum up, don’t feel any obligation to tip your wedding photographer. And please understand that they will not feel offended if you do not. (They will also not feel insulted if you do tip them!) Whether you choose to tip or not to tip, I hope the information in this photographer tipping guide was helpful!
Zoe Larkin
I’m Zoe, a wedding photographer based in San Francisco! My style is candid, capturing authentic moments for my couples all over the Bay Area and Northern California. Creating content is my passion! Follow along the blog and Insta!