one more tipping questions-Photographer/Imagen Ladies

MaggieandJake

Ok, I have one more tipping question about our photographer.

We are having Alex shoot on our wedding day, along with his assistant photographer.  The company is named "Imagen By Alex Del Toro", but they claim that it isn't owned just by him, but rather 3 head photographers.  Lizzy (one of the other head photogs) is shooting our rehearsal/RD as part of our package.  

So, my question is-do I tip all 3 photographers? Just Lizzy and the assistant?or just the assistant?  On their info packet, they mention tipping the photographer and that industry standard is 15% (which in this case would be $150)  I feel like that's kind of a lot-but then again, we got a good deal on our photography package (IMO) so in the grand-scheme of things and what I'm getting, I guess it's not.  

Advice?  TIA ladies!!

khornbach

Protocol is tipping only assistants not photographers who own the studio. But since you're wedding is being shot by both I think its unnecessary to tip them because the lead photographer owns the studio. 

aligross

I don't think it is necessary to tip your photographers - especially being that "all three own the company"... I love the fact that they added the industry standard for tipping. We will not be tipping our photographers, they will be paid in full and then if we purchase prints from them as well (we also get all rights to the photos) they will also make money off of us.

jessy_gross

I agree- no need to tip the photographers!  We won't be; I can't believe they actually listed tipping in their info! 

kristigiles

We had a few different photographers from them too.  I didn't tip them at the wedding, instead I brought a check for 15% to our after the wedding meeting thing.  Basically, I didn't want to tip them until I had the final product. 

MaggieandJake

Kristi-that's kinda what I was thinking too….I was a little nervous in the back of my mind that if I didn't tip them at the wedding though, they'd purposely be slow getting my pics back to me.  I like your idea though.  I think I'll go with that.

Thanks everyone!

Steph0871

Ditto PPs- we waited to tip until we received our final product.

That being said- I hate when vendors talk about tipping on their websites/emails/etc.  It's so incredibly tacky, and that would probably sway me to not tip them at all. Tips are not required. They are meant to reward someone for service above and beyond 'normal'.  Vendors have the ability to set their own rates, and it just feels deceiving to me if they say "our rates are only $1100!..... please note that a $150 tip is expected." 

Anyway, that's my weird rant about vendors who talk about tipping. 

MaggieandJake

Steph I totally agree with you!  They aren't the only vendor who has talked about making sure we tip either-our DJ, our transportation from the ceremony to the reception.  It completely turns me off that's for sure.  But my guilty conscience would feel bad if I didn't tip.  My mom/dad say I shouldn't worry about it, it's not like I'll ever see these people again LOL.