Photographer tip?

There is no reason to tip twice and never a reason to tip before you receive the service/product in your hand. Meaning don’t tip before the wedding or on the wedding day because during planning and on the wedding day, you are not in an objective frame of mind to determine if they are going above and beyond the call of duty or just doing the bare minimum. Many vendors and guests work hard to keep any snafus hidden from the couple, while bad vendors don’t care. A tip is intended for a vendor who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, not what it has become where people expect it like a paycheck bonus whether they show up or not and do their job or not. So wait until at least a week or two after the wedding to assess which vendors get tips. That includes the photographer, and by then you will know if they went above and beyond promptly for you.


Don’t feel bad. She charges what she feels she is worth and if she’s willing to forgo the travel fee, don’t stress over it because that is her business decision.

Tell her you prefer to pay for travel costs including hotel and ask for an estimate. She will have to learn this is standard in work and is better than tip ambiguity which gives the client anxiety.

I agree with the two above. My photographer worked in the travel fee in her price along with the price for accommodation. I wouldn't think about tipping twice, the fees should all be stated outright with the contract.