How To Thank Your Photographer.

I see this question a lot on facebook groups. “What is the proper protocol for tipping?” “Is it necessary?” “What should we do to say thank you to our photographer?” And honestly I would be lost too. Planning a wedding is such a foreign thing to start with and then here you are, told probably by your parents or other people who aren’t you and your partner, that you need to tip people but not really how much or how. **Enter me like the Phantom of the Opera to attempt to answer your questions**

First and foremost, these are my own beliefs so they may not apply to anyone else, but like most of the things I write I’m going to post it anyway and hope for the best.

In short: Are tips necessary? No. Do we still jump up and down when we get them? Yes. Are they are sometimes hard to navigate? Yes. Do I still post about them on instagram almost every time I get them? Double Yes.

We aren’t really a tipping industry. Most photographers try really hard to make sure that their pricing covers their cost of doing business, the amount they would need to make their desired living, and is spot on with their market and industry standard. It’s not like other industries where tips make up the majority of our income. But could you imagine if you tipped us 15% as like a social standard? I would be Head to toe Prada, Benz In the drive way, yacht in the wata to quote Maren Morris. So just know that you don’t HAVE to. But I know that you probably want to say thank you after your photographer helped your drunk uncle to his car, helped you lift your dress to go pee, and got whacked in the face by your bridesmaids on the party bus. Oh and got burned by a sparkler during your exit, don’t forget that one.

1.) Reviews

Do you want to say thank you in a big way? Do you want to give them $3,500.00? Well no probably not but you basically can if you leave a detailed review. LET ME SAY IT LOUD AND CLEAR SO IN THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK CAN HEAR.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE VALUABLE TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER THAN A DETAILED POSITIVE REVIEW OF YOUR EXPERIENCE. Literally 90% of my business is word of mouth or review based, it matters so much. So if you want to thank your photographer in a big way write them a review that covers all the reasons you hired them and then all the reasons you are glad you did. Were they professional? Did they offer resources to help you with planning? Were they funny? Did your family like them? Did they catch a photo that took your breath away? Let everyone know. Basically answer the questions you had when you were in the booking process. Isn’t that good news? You can give the greatest gift of all without ever actually spending money.

2.) Actual gifts

We love gifts. Everyone loves gifts. But I hate to break it to you, most of the photographers I know get at least one camera lens coffee cup every gift giving cycle. And it is probably someone who loves us like a whole bunch and we have to smile and figure out what we want to do with them once we get another one. Like that video of the kid getting the avocado for Christmas, “Its an avocado, thaaAAAAnks” That is us holding the camera lens cup. I currently have one holding pens and one holding up a succulent :) So I know its hard but resist the urge. Better yet think outside the box. One of my favorite gifts I have EVER gotten was a gift card to Trev and I’s favorite restaurant, like I almost cried. Another client got me a custom wood print with the quote on the back of my dad’s tombstone. I actually cried. **CUE THE UGLY KIM KARDAHSIAN SOBBING** I also got a massage gift card and that was super sweet because being on your feet chasing aforementioned drunk uncle for 12 hours on a wedding day is ROUGH. OH and a shit ton of cookies and wine. A lot of people get me wine and that is always a safe bet.

So what if your don’t know that much about your photog and can’t get them gifts? I have a tip. Most of us do something called Friday introductions at some point in our career. Those Friday introductions usually include things we like, like coffee, movies, flowers, places to go, things to do. It’s how we get our audience to know us more personally and its a great way to figure out what your photog may like as a “thank you” gift. Also check our “About” sections on our websites! It’s full of good ideas. If all less fails know that we run on coffee and anxiety so anything in those realms will be good. I mean coffee and stress relief, please don’t gift us anxiety we might explode.

3.) THANK YOU NOTES ARE THE BEES KNEES

We LOVE getting thank you notes with our images on them. If photographers did drugs that’s our drug.

4.) If all less fails 100$ is amazing and kind of a industry standard. I don’t have a fancy formula for the amount you should tip but I always think my clients look so bad ass sliding over a cool 100$ and a wink like the God Father.

I hope this helped. Again you don’t have to tip, and even if you do sometimes the best tip isn’t money at all.

Until Next time friends.

Mer.