Senior Pictures Question...

[zebrastreyepz]

Do you tip a photographer?

My co-worker is doing the photos and photography is a professional side gig for her. She quoted me $90 an hour, we are going to the zoo, and I'm covering her entry into the zoo.

I honestly have no idea about tipping etiquette with this type of service.

 

[kymom99]

No

 

[zebrastreyepz]

No

Thank you!

 

[kymom99]

If you love the finished product you may want to give her a thank you gift.

 

[slo]

I did not tip, but I paid $550 for DD19’s photos, which I thought was more than enough money.

 

[_19disnA]

No. However, most topics on here that discuss tipping usually end up with arguments............LOL. Given that you are paying for her service AND paying the zoo admission, I don't think tipping is required or necessary. You might recommend her to other friends/relatives if pleased with the work that could turn out to be worth far more then a tip.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Ours are called grad pictures. Once we get the proofs they are ordered via a website so no way to tip.

Unless you are talking private photographer than I have no clue as never did that.

 

[Christine]

I think if the photographer is running her own business, you just pay her the price she sets. If you were to go to a major photography business and they sent out a "staff" photographer, I might think about tipping them; however, it would be fine not to tip.

 

[_19disnA]

Ours are called grad pictures.

Many high schools choose a pro photographer and everyone who is graduating uses that studio. I get the impression the OP is talking about a different situation where they have chosen to use their own photographer (whether in addition to the school chosen person or the school didn't contract with a photographer for all to use wasn't specified by the OP.)

 

[luvnwdwgal]

No, she’s doing it on her own. You pay her fee and that’s it.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Thank you, everyone....I wasn't trying to cause a kerfuffle with a tipping question...just wondering about the etiquette for it.

Here in Tulsa, we contract with our own photographers for Senior photos. There can be wardrobe changes, location changes, etc...for some, it's quite a "to do."

The school also does a basic photo for the yearbook, which is what my school did in the Chicago suburbs back in the 80s.

The pictures we're having taken will be connected to her graduation announcements.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

If you love the finished product you may want to give her a thank you gift.

This is a LOVELY idea.

 

[Kitty 34]

Back in the day, never even thought to tip our photographer.

 

[tvguy]

If they are charging $90 an hour for their services that, IMHO, puts them out of the range of being tipped.
The debates here about tipping often center on what wage level a person should not longer expect a tip. I won't throw gasoline on that fire except to say that someone charging $90 is making at least twice the hourly wage that I would stop tipping at.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ours are called grad pictures. Once we get the proofs they are ordered via a website so no way to tip.

Unless you are talking private photographer than I have no clue as never did that.

They are separate things really.

A school photo and a private photo. A photographer hired by the school isn't going to go all over town for photos. They take senior photos usually at the school just like picture day only they may have more props, different lighting, etc. And that's usually just for yearbook space.

It's pretty common for people to then hire a photographer to go take pictures at parks and other places just like engagement photos just like maternity photos, it's really the same concept unless in Canada they also don't do engagement photo shoots or maternity shoots which if so this all probably sounds strange to you.

We have a waterfall in our neighborhood, it's common for school dance photos, grad photos, maternity shoots, there even was a wedding in front of it so we see it often just in our own neighborhood.

Another common place in my area is a sunflower farm located nearby where you usually get about 10-14 days of full bloom and people flock to it to get photos either just their own or they hire a photographer.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

OP I don't think you're obligated to tip in this situation though certain a shout out as a referral if you like the end result would be nice for them. I see that frequently enough on my FB from a few of my friends who have been repeat customers to several people.

I agree with another poster about a professional company, when you do that you're not necessarily paying that photographer's rate of their time but rater what the company is charging for the services, in that case a tip may be more warranted.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I hire professional photographers quite often (just had a session today, in fact!) and I have never tipped. I sign a contract and pay a deposit to hold the date, then most require the final payment a week in advance. There is no money changing hands when we meet at the location.

What I do, that for many professionals is probably worth more than a cash tip, is recommend them, leave a glowing review on Google, and tag them in any pictures I post on social media. I've had friends book photographers just based on my recommendation. If you love the pics, be sure and share who took them and send some business her way

 

[SandyinMonterey]

When are senior pictures done? For the on your own private photo session.

 

[mom2rtk]

When are senior pictures done? For the on your own private photo session.

Around here most do them the summer before senior year. I did my own kids’ photos so I chose to do them in a variety of seasons.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

If they are charging $90 an hour for their services that, IMHO, puts them out of the range of being tipped.
The debates here about tipping often center on what wage level a person should not longer expect a tip. I won't throw gasoline on that fire except to say that someone charging $90 is making at least twice the hourly wage that I would stop tipping at.

Very good point.