Such an awkward topic to ask the person providing you a service —

”Am I supposed to . . . give you a tip?”

Wonder no further! Here are the answers to your tipping-etiquette inquiries:

There are only specific situations where it’s especially courteous to tip your photographer. If you hire a studio or contract photographer, it’s polite but not expected. A wedding vendor may expect tip or build one into your invoice, but a wedding photographer wouldn’t. For my elopement photography sessions, this is not something you’ll encounter.

If your photographer is the business owner (like me), a tip is never necessary or expected. The cost already reflects the price of doing business, so nothing is expected on top of that.

While not an apples to apples comparison, it’s sort of like this:

You may not necessarily tip your Starbucks barista for every drink you order. For the barista though that makes your cappuccino with the milk perfectly frothed, the espresso prestigiously potent, and the temperature exactly to your taste, you may find yourself particularly compelled to express extra gratitude and leave them a tip to reflect your level of superior satisfaction. The same goes with photography. I will never feel stiffed by not receiving a tip; At the same time, it isn’t weird or unheard of to leave a tip if you feel compelled!

So, to tip, or not to tip? It’s totally up to you! The deal with tips:

NEVER expected; ALWAYS appreciated!