are you tipping your photographer if he owns the studio?

audreya14

Hi Guys. I have an etiquette question. Our photographer owns his own studio which means you don't normally tip. This "rule" feels strange to me. I'm thinking if we don't give him a monetary tip maybe we can get him a nice bottle of wine or some other gift. I just wanted to check in and see what you all were going to do or what your thoughts are.

RoxyRuby

We were in the same boat as you. At one meeting with our photog she mentioned a place she really loved to go eat with her partner. I remembered this and got her a gift card to that restaurant after I saw how gorgeous the pictures were. If you feel the work deserves a tip it is very appropriate to give one.

TheSaltyPeanut

I'm giving my photographer a bottle of wine and a nice ty card. It is a mother-daughter team, so I included two bottles and two sets of coasters.

gkb0910

The thought process behind this is that the owner will get all of the money, whereas a non-owner would only get part of it.  If you feel your photographer goes above and beyond, then feel free to tip him.  My photographer owns her own business, and I'll probably tip her once I receive the final product.

lyndausvi

I tipped him by buying prints from him even though I could have gotten them cheaper somewhere else.  This also allowed me not to 'tip' until I saw the final product.

Golfer'sLady

My photographer owned the company, so I did not tip. I wrote her a huge check for her services and a thank you note.

karenttrouble

I tipped anyway, $100 to him and $50 to the assistant.  I realized I should tip the assistant as he didn't own the studio, but it seemed weird to tip the assistant but not the "real" photograhper

buttaflai

Nope. He's been getting some nice PR from me though.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

Probably not, unless she goes way over the top with the pictures or does something extraordinary the day of. I'll wait to see the pictures before I decide on anything, but chances are, I won't. I will send her a very nice thank you card though - she's been great to work with.

aerinpegadrak

My photographer owns his own studio, but he's also doing our wedding at a HUGE discount (I just showed him the timeline, and he offered to shoot an extra two hours and isn't going to charge us).  Because of that, we're planning on covering as much as we can of his travel expenses as a "tip," and will probably get him a thank you gift as well.

Piper_62

We are getting our photographer earrings and this. [img]<a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/428pogo.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/428pogo.jpg</a>[/img]