Do you tip photographer?

I have never tipped my photographer, but I've also never paid that little for a photo shoot. If my shoot only cost $30 I probably would tip.

The first time we went I wasn't sure what to do so I did. Then I asked my friends who all said no.

We pay a lot more than what your session costs but I felt her price paid her well for her time and we repeat our visits frequently, and have sent her many referrals who used her.

No.

That's ridiculous.

No.

No, but you were given a free session. She offered the free session to drum up business. Your dh was so thrilled, he didn't really tip her, he gave her a small payment.

She must be very new to be only charging $75 for a newborn session. Her prices are obscenely low! Newborn sessions can be very challenging. Even $30 for a monthly session is wicked cheap. Does that include any photos? Is it more than a few minutes?

I do some part time photography on the side and I have been paid extra, like this photographer, from people who thought my fee was too low. I was doing 15 minute sessions as a fundraiser. The prices were low on purpose as I was donating my services ($10 for the school, $25 for me, 3 photos per person). It was less than half price. Outside of the fundraiser, I charged $65 for the same 15 minutes and STILL had people think that was cheap. Some people at the fundraiser decided to pay me full price instead of the cut rate price. Others also made a bigger donation to the school (a nonprofit).

Absolutely not! They are a professional and are paid accordingly. If they aren't making enough, then it is on them to increase their prices.

In the case of a free photo shoot, I personally would have ordered extra photos and booked another shoot. She was offering the shoot to increase business. Giving her recognition on social media and referring friends would be another thing to do. People have got to stop all this crazy ass tipping of every person they cross paths with, otherwise the practice is only going to get worse and worse. Anyone else read the thread about the tip jar for a music teacher? It's bad enough that restaurants have gone from 10% expected tip to 20% (and I've read articles suggesting that we should be tipping 25-30% ), now people want to start tipping professionals?

I remember that too. When I was growing up it was 10%. Then as a 20ish year old it became "just double the tax" which here in California would be 15%. Then I come to the peas and they all say they tip 20%. I recently read an article suggesting 25%-30% as well. It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever routinely tip 30% for ANY service.

I had to learn about tipping when I moved to the US (I'm still working on that), but I was taught that you don't tip the owner of a business. I guess that's not common knowledge - I asked some local friends about it and they had never heard that. But how do you handle it when you get your hair cut by the owner of a salon (assuming you even know if they're the owner). They're charging professional fees, and they're making the profits on the business overall as well, so really, why would I tip them on top of that? I do, out of guilt. Because it seems awkward not to. But it doesn't seem right. I'm not doing it out of enthusiasm for their service either. They always do a good job - otherwise I would go somewhere else. Hmmm. I might have just talked myself out of tipping my hairdresser!

But no. I pay a photographer professional fees. If they impressed me a lot I might give them a gift after the fact, and of course I would refer other people to them and promote their business with my friends.