Is it proper etiquette to tip photographer?

I was told you tip between 10 and 15 percent of the final bill

Also I gave them my tip when I received the photos because tipping is a thank you for the product.

I don't honestly understand this, and I certainly don't understand a percentage of 1000's of dollars.

It feels like tipping your dentist.

There are some here and I hope they'll weigh in. If they did some extreme thing like paddle out to an island with you for a shot (yes, I've seen this....) then yeah, but most of the pros I know will tel you that a timely, detailed review here and on that other site is the most beloved tip.

I've seen conflicting information here. I think I may give mine a thank you note and a gift card to a restaurant or coffee place, rather than a cash tip. (I know cash is preferred but...I like the card idea).

Celia- isn't tipping an officiant the same concept? Do you not get tipped? I tipped everyone who did a great job. My photographer was amazing: posing us, directing us, showed up early and stayed late, spent hours discussing what we wanted, and even adjusted my husband's bow tie several times throughout the night when no one else noticed or bothered. He got tipped well.

I've also heard a couple things re: photographers. Those that own their business get all the money you pay. Granted it goes to equipment, editing software etc but it's paid to them and only then for their time. Those that work for agencies (like Bellagala) only get a small percentage of your total fee but your entire tip goes to them.

I tipped after reviewing and receiving my photos because they turned out gorgeous and we got 800 more photos than expected and they just did an amazing job so I felt they deserved it.

I might get eaten alive for this one.

You are not required to tip vendors. You hired them for a job, you paid them a lot of money to do said job, they met the expectations you paid them for.

That being said, if someone goes above and beyond and makes everything perfect or you just really like them (or whatever your rationale is), it's nice to give a tip.

I don't think this is terribly common, especially if they own the company.

We tipped our photog $100 after the wedding because we felt he did an amazing job. I'm not sure if this is low or high, as a lot of my friends didn't tip theirs so I wasn't really sure what was appropriate.

We tipped the assistant as well, but I can't remember how much.

Michelle.....

@ Snarky "My photographer was amazing: posing us, directing us, showed up early and stayed late, spent hours discussing what we wanted, and even adjusted my husband's bow tie several times throughout the night when no one else noticed or bothered. He got tipped well."

Are you telling me that if he did a decent job (a B-, as a grading reference), you would have given him the same tip?

Nope, I said he got tipped well. If he had done a B- job he would have gotten a small tip. I would have already budgeted for a great job, so honestly I would have saved money.

Sort of Snarky. I wish I had a more logical explanation for it, and I DO get tipped, but I do feel like I go over the top for my couples. It happens and it doesn't, but I still do think the best tip is a great review.

The not tipping the owner thing is nonsense. If you want to tip your vendors based on service, then do! I personally love tipping people who do great, great work.

@Celia, that's exactly it. You tip people because they did amazing work; they earned it. Showing up and merely doing your job does not warrant a tip.

I tip people who do good work that I hired- especially artists.

And especially people who I think are awesome and I love and the odds are high we'll be working together again. Firm believer in treating people well if you travel in the same circles.

Not tipping people you hire at all just because you hired them... bleck. NOPE

I'm sure the photographers feel like they go over and above too, haha.

The tips that freak me out are the ones that are required for limo drivers, (and put right on the contract) any tip that is suggested strongly or solicited and tips that go to banquet personnel and don't actually get there....

Http://bridalguide.com/blogs/the-budget-guru/how-to-tip-wedding-vendors I just searched some on Google and most said this! I didn't even think about any of this so I'm glad I saw it. I think I'm going to get my photographer a nice gift. Because she is the bomb and I adore her.