To tip or not to tip

May 27, 2018 8:01 AM

Today I have a family photography session with a professional photographer. It'll probably last about an hour. The photographer is a small business owner who sets her own prices and normally this would cost $125. But - she donated this session as a fundraiser to a charity auction, so she's not receiving payment. Moreover, she doesn't have any direct connection to the charity (I do) and just donated out of pure niceness. Do I tip? I want to be appropriate and I don't want to be insulting.
posted by bq to Shopping (11 answers total)

I think a tip and a genuine "thank you so much for supporting XYZ charity!" would be very nice & not insulting at all.
posted by belladonna at 8:09 AM on May 27, 2018 [1 favorite]

Yes, I would tip. If she really doesn't want it she'll insist, but most people are happy to get unexpected money.
posted by languagehat at 8:11 AM on May 27, 2018 [1 favorite]

Ok, I’m old, and my father was even older but...Dad was a professional photographer, and if someone had tried to tip him, he would have been horrified and insulted.

Things may have changed, obviously.
posted by MexicanYenta at 9:18 AM on May 27, 2018 [3 favorites]

Regardless of whether you decide to tip or not, if it's a good experience, thank her warmly, tell her you will refer her to friends and then refer her to friends.
posted by Gnella at 9:28 AM on May 27, 2018 [5 favorites]

I'm a photographer and have donated my services in a similar way - I would not expect or even want a tip. You probably wouldn't think of tipping a lawyer or dentist or any other professional I imagine so its the same here. Word of mouth goes a long way so the nicest thing you can do is to refer other people to her if you're happy with her work!
posted by blaneyphoto at 9:58 AM on May 27, 2018 [13 favorites]

In general, you do not tip the owner of a business, is what I've been taught.
posted by 8603 at 10:08 AM on May 27, 2018 [4 favorites]

I was an employee, not the owner, but when I worked in portraits (where we weren't allowed to accept tips) small gifts were lovely. Keep cold beverage cups, slightly fancy lip balm w/ spf, a not very smelly lotion you like, etc - no more than $25 bucks. Give it to her at the end of the session in a little giftbag, "We SO appreciate you donating to [charity] and I have been wanting portraits done forever. We'll make sure to tell everyone how much [fun, wonderful, whatever] this was and I look forward to the proofs!"

Money spends, of course, but the gift is more inline with this type of business/charity stuff.
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 10:12 AM on May 27, 2018 [2 favorites]

Wait, did you buy a photo session where you're supposed to buy the photos separately? Or are they included? When I bought a session through a charity thing, I just got the sitting; we were still on the hook if we wanted photos. So I bought a slightly more expensive package of prints than I normally would have to thank the photographer for their donation and called it a day.

I didn't tip and would never have thought to.
posted by purpleclover at 12:01 PM on May 27, 2018 [6 favorites]

Instead of a tip, post positive reviews on every social network and media that you use. Mention her to people at work. Tell your friends. Best thing you can do for the photographer is help her get more business.
posted by conrad53 at 9:31 PM on May 27, 2018 [1 favorite]

I am also a photographer and have donated my services through silent auctions. I would not expect a tip and would politely decline such an offer. I have, however, received a thank you gift card in the mail afterwards.

Worth more to me: purchase portraits, refer people who will also purchase portraits, leave a great testimonial online.
posted by rhapsodie at 11:15 AM on May 28, 2018 [3 favorites]

I would not tip, but I would consider buying something in addition to whatever is covered in the free session, e.g. additional prints, booking a session for a family member, etc, and leaving a positive online review.

A small thank you gift, like flowers or a gift basket, is another possibility, but is more difficult to target if you don't know the person.
posted by rpfields at 12:40 PM on May 28, 2018