Your photographer is going to spend 8-10 hours with you on one of the most important days of your life. They’ll crouch in bushes, sprint across venues, and somehow make your drunk uncle look presentable in the family photos. So yeah, a tip is a nice gesture.
But how much? Let’s cut through the noise.
The short answer
$50 to $200 per photographer. Or if you prefer percentages, 5-15% of your total photography package.
For a $3,500 package with one lead photographer and a second shooter, that might look like $150 for the lead and $75 for the second. Roughly $225 total.
That’s the range most couples land in. You don’t need to overthink it.
What if your photographer owns the business?
This is where it gets a little murky. The old-school rule was that you don’t tip business owners since they set their own prices and keep the profits.
That rule has softened a lot. Most photographers I’ve talked to say they appreciate tips regardless of whether they’re the owner or an employee. It’s not expected the same way it would be from an employee, but it’s definitely not weird or unwelcome.
If your photographer is a solo owner-operator who delivered amazing work, $50-100 is a thoughtful gesture. You’re not obligated, but it won’t be awkward either.
When to actually hand over the tip
You’ve got a few options:
End of the reception works well. Find a quiet moment, hand them a card with the cash, and say thanks. Keep it simple.
With your final payment is another route. Some couples add the tip to their last invoice payment, especially if they’re paying electronically. Just make sure to note that part of the payment is a tip so it goes to the right person.
After you get your photos is less common but not unheard of. If you want to wait until you see the final product, that’s fine. Mail a card with a check or cash. It might mean more at that point since you’ll have the actual photos in hand.
Most couples go with the reception handoff. It’s the simplest.
Second shooters and assistants
If your package includes additional photographers or assistants, tip them separately. Don’t just give a lump sum to the lead and assume it’ll trickle down.
A typical split:
- Lead photographer: $100-150
- Second shooter: $50-100
- Assistant (if present): $25-50
Hand each person their own envelope. It takes two extra minutes and makes sure everyone gets recognized for their work.
What if the service was just okay?
Tipping isn’t mandatory. If your photographer showed up late, seemed disinterested, or the experience was mediocre, you’re not obligated to tip. A smaller tip or no tip is a valid response to subpar service.
That said, if they did solid work and you’re happy with the experience, tip something. These people are on their feet all day capturing moments you can’t recreate.
Example breakdown
Let’s say you hired a husband-wife photography team for $4,200. The day goes great, they’re professional, fun to work with, and you’re genuinely excited to see the photos.
A reasonable tip: $150 for one, $150 for the other. That’s $300 total, which lands right around 7% of the package cost.
Not a budget-breaker, and it’s a real acknowledgment of their work.
Don’t forget the envelope
Seriously. Don’t hand someone a wad of bills. Put the cash in a card or envelope with their name on it. A quick “thank you” note goes a long way.
You’re going to be handing out several tips on your wedding day, so prep the envelopes ahead of time. Label each one. Give them to your wedding planner, best man, or someone you trust to distribute them at the right moments.
Need to calculate tips for your other vendors? Our free calculator covers photographers, DJs, caterers, and 15 other vendor types. It’ll also tell you exactly what cash to request from your bank.