Should you tip your family photographer?
There are different customs and expectations around the world regarding tipping. Tipping is common in many service industries, including restaurants, hair salons, and taxis, in the United States. However, there is no hard and fast rule regarding tipping family photographers.
On the one hand, tipping family photographers can be a way of showing your appreciation for a job well done, while on the other hand, it can help offset the costs of operating a photography business. However, tipping is not always expected, and some photographers may feel uncomfortable receiving tips. Also, tipping can increase the cost of a photography session, which may be a burden for some families.
Below are some recommendations from US family photographers and websites;
- According to Houston Texas Family Photographer, Bri Sullivan; “Tipping family photographers in Houston, Texas is not customary, but it’s appreciated. Tip amount is up to you, but a standard tip is 15-20% of the photographer’s fee. Tipping is a great way to show your appreciation for the photographer’s work“.
- San Diego Newborn Photographer, Sophie Crew recommends; “Tipping your photographer is such a tricky subject. Photography is considered a professional service, but there are so many rules and etiquette standards, it’s often hard to figure out which service providers should be tipped as a standard practice, and those that don’t require tips.”
- Best-Family-Portrait-Photographers-Near-Me.com; “In terms of tipping etiquette for photographers, there is no simple rule or guideline to follow. This is largely due to the fact that tipping is expected for certain types of photoshoots, partially expected or becoming the norm for other types of photoshoots, and totally unnecessary for other types of photoshoots“.
- Best-Newborn-Photographers.com; “Generally, if you feel your photographer went above and beyond during your photoshoot, then you are welcome to tip. It is not a standard practice, however. The following is a detailed breakdown of tipping etiquette for different categories of photography.”
- Affordable-Family-Photographers.com; “It is difficult to establish a simple guideline for tipping etiquette for photographers. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that tipping is expected for some types of photoshoots, partly expected or becoming the norm for other types of photoshoots, and completely unnecessary for other types of photoshoots. Additionally, the amount or percentage of your tip will vary depending on the type of photoshoot. You are more than welcome to tip your photographer if you believe that he or she has gone above and beyond during your photoshoot. It should be noted, however, that this is not standard practice.”
- Galveston-Beach-Photographers.com; “Tipping your Galveston, Texas Photographer is not required, but it is customary practice to tip photographers between 15% and 20% of the total cost of their services. If you are happy with the work that your photographer has done, it is a nice gesture to show your appreciation with a tip.”
- Professional-Family-Photographers.com; “Tip etiquette for photographers is not simple. Tipping is expected for some types of photoshoots, partly expected or becoming the norm for others, and completely unnecessary for others. Additionally, tip amounts will vary depending on the type of photoshoot. Tip your photographer if you feel they went above and beyond during your photoshoot. This is not standard practice.”
The following factors should be considered when deciding whether or not to tip a family photographer: the quality of the photographer’s work, the photographer’s experience, and the cost of the photography session. It is customary to tip between 15 and 20% of the total cost of the session if you decide to tip a family photographer.
Ultimately, tipping a family photographer is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer, and what is appropriate for one family may not be appropriate for another.
