I was talking to someone on MM the other day and he said he tipped his models. I can't recall ever having been tipped before, although I was given gas money once at a TF shoot in San Antonio after I "did really well" so that was nice.
I don't do it frequently but have done it for models who have gone "above and beyond" during a shoot. Sometimes it's as simple as handing them a $20. Sometimes it's letting them keep part of the wardrobe. I used to be part of a collective studio in the basement of a women's clothing store, and the owner let the models borrow items for shoots. One model who did a fantastic job really liked the boots she shot in so I bought them for her.
At the same time, I am also willing to stop shoots that aren't going well and have fired models mid-shoot.
I "Tip" in the way of print images. Those cost me more to produce, and generally, the models I've worked with only ever get digital images. If they did a great job, or went "over and above" the call of duty, (like one model who froze her tail off yesterday for me! ) then I like to do something extra. They seem nicely surprised when I mail them a couple of 8x10's.
I have done it, as it's still a hobby for me, I can't afford too much, so I usually offer $100.00 for a shoot of about 2-3 hours, and since I'm in the middle of nowhere, $50.00 for gas. I had a model who was so good at posing, very inventive with lots of energy, I kicked in another $50.00.
T A Y L O R wrote: I was talking to someone on MM the other day and he said he tipped his models. I can't recall ever having been tipped before, although I was given gas money once at a TF shoot in San Antonio after I "did really well" so that was nice.
Just curious if it's a common occurrence or not.
Are you talking about "tipping" on a TF, or a paid shoot? Or both?
I've had 2 photographers try to give me significantly more than the agreed upon amount for a shoot, is that what you mean? I've never had anyone offer to pay or "tip" when the shoot was TF.
To answer your main question, I don't think it's common....at least not for me.
I worked with this model last summer TF and she was awesome... so I tipped her....
Sometimes I just buy them lunch, beer, etc .
On their birthdays I always send them a gift card.
T A Y L O R wrote: I was talking to someone on MM the other day and he said he tipped his models. I can't recall ever having been tipped before, although I was given gas money once at a TF shoot in San Antonio after I "did really well" so that was nice.
Raven-Lily wrote: After reading this i feel extremely lucky with what i get offered to do TF shoots.
Not only do i receive all images.
Usually they reimburse me for my travel (or send the tickets in advance)
9 times out of 10 i turn up and they have prepared food and drinks, or they pay for us to eat at a cafe while on location.
They cover all studio costs.
Sometimes i go away with some clothing (usually bought specifically for me as im much curvier than the models they usually shoot)
I feel sorry for you that you only get images. I think a lot of English Models get the same as i get.
I guess I didn't understand the definition of a "tip." I don't consider any of those benefits a tip - food, drink, services to improve the shoot, travel expenses, images, etc.
I consider a tip as providing the model with additional money, on top of any agreed upon compensation, at the end of the project. Like you would slip a $10 bill to a valet.
Raven-Lily wrote: I feel sorry for you that you only get images. I think a lot of English Models get the same as i get.
Really? You feel sorry for someone who is ONLY getting images? The entire point of a shoot is to obtain the highest quality images possible. Shouldn't that be the most valuable service/benefit offered?
I think if those poor models who evoke such sympathy from you were getting great images, I'm confident they would prefer that over a couple bottles of Dasani and a veggie dip plate.
I'm really grateful whenever I receive something above and beyond, no matter what it is. It feels good to be acknowledged for a job well done. I actually am working with a photographer who puts out a tip hat at the end of his workshops, which is really nice. I wish it was more of an industry standard.
I do love getting tipped with food. That is always delightful. Especially when I'm traveling, it's a nice way to get to know a city.
Har Marshal wrote: I don't do it frequently but have done it for models who have gone "above and beyond" during a shoot. Sometimes it's as simple as handing them a $20. Sometimes it's letting them keep part of the wardrobe. I used to be part of a collective studio in the basement of a women's clothing store, and the owner let the models borrow items for shoots. One model who did a fantastic job really liked the boots she shot in so I bought them for her.
At the same time, I am also willing to stop shoots that aren't going well and have fired models mid-shoot.
Oh cool! I love when photographers let me keep pieces, even if they're small it always means a lot to me. I was most recently given a lovely red dress that I adore.
Your firing stories sound terrible! Lemme get my popcorn; dish, dish!
T A Y L O R wrote: I was talking to someone on MM the other day and he said he tipped his models. I can't recall ever having been tipped before, although I was given gas money once at a TF shoot in San Antonio after I "did really well" so that was nice.
I guess I didn't understand the definition of a "tip." I don't consider any of those benefits a tip - food, drink, services to improve the shoot, travel expenses, images, etc.
I consider a tip as providing the model with additional money, on top of any agreed upon compensation, at the end of the project. Like you would slip a $10 bill to a valet.
Either, both. I do think little things go a long way (having little snacks, refreshments are always really nice, just an added bonus). I was thinking specifically about additional money (like you'd tip a valet), but it's definitely true reading through this thread that things like food, drinks, gas money, images, etc. are all pleasant surprises when they happen and you weren't expecting them.
Now I'm contemplating baking cookies and surprising my next few photographers with them... gotta start turning the tables.
The model (or MUA or whoever) would have to do something really extraordinary to earn a tip. Its not the same as at a restaurant (or wherever) where you are paying the restaurant and the wait staff is being paid less than minimum wage because it's expected that they are being tipped. If you always tip its just part of your going rate.
Raven-Lily wrote: After reading this i feel extremely lucky with what i get offered to do TF shoots.
Not only do i receive all images.
Usually they reimburse me for my travel (or send the tickets in advance)
9 times out of 10 i turn up and they have prepared food and drinks, or they pay for us to eat at a cafe while on location.
They cover all studio costs.
Sometimes i go away with some clothing (usually bought specifically for me as im much curvier than the models they usually shoot)
I feel sorry for you that you only get images. I think a lot of English Models get the same as i get.
Studio costs! That's one I didn't think of. Almost all the photographers I shoot with have home studios though, so that's usually not an added cost (unless you want to get technical and count the larger apartment/house size).
I'd say most people offer something to drink and some have snacks. Like I said earlier, it's an added bonus. I've gotten to work with a whole lotta really wonderful people, I'm not complaining at all that a few didn't include a cheese platter as part of our shoot.
T A Y L O R wrote: I was talking to someone on MM the other day and he said he tipped his models. I can't recall ever having been tipped before, although I was given gas money once at a TF shoot in San Antonio after I "did really well" so that was nice.
Just curious if it's a common occurrence or not.
I've never been "tipped" and I've never given someone cash when it wasn't agreed. Maybe because I've been poor the whole time I've been shooting.
Plenty of models I've shot with have "tipped" themselves by demanding more photos than agreed, but usually, that's flattering.
Once in a while I have been given a drawing that one of the artists made during a life drawing group session at a gallery or class. Sometimes they bring out a snack tray at break time with cookies, cheese, and other refreshments. A few times over the years I have been given a completed framed painting after it hung in a gallery display.
Many times when working with a photographer on a specific project they had a concept for ( possibly for a class assignment) they have offered afterward to spend 10 or 20 minutes doing other poses of my choice that I could have for my own use, and even provided retouched versions.
Leone P
Posts: 477
Batley, England, United Kingdom
Doug Jantz wrote: As the photographer I have had several clients tip me
I was just thinking about this. I have never had a tip moneywise but i have had dinner provided etc and i would like to tip the photographers i work with. What counts as a good tip. Bearing in mind i'm pretty pennyless haha!
I'm really grateful whenever I receive something above and beyond, no matter what it is. It feels good to be acknowledged for a job well done. I actually am working with a photographer who puts out a tip hat at the end of his workshops, which is really nice. I wish it was more of an industry standard.
I do love getting tipped with food. That is always delightful. Especially when I'm traveling, it's a nice way to get to know a city.
Do you tip photographers for a "job well done?"
And, I don't think of food as a "tip." Kind of interesting that a photographer can be praised for providing food, when the same offer could be taken as "trying to date her" and make him look bad.
I'm really grateful whenever I receive something above and beyond, no matter what it is. It feels good to be acknowledged for a job well done. I actually am working with a photographer who puts out a tip hat at the end of his workshops, which is really nice. I wish it was more of an industry standard.
I do love getting tipped with food. That is always delightful. Especially when I'm traveling, it's a nice way to get to know a city.
Do you tip photographers for a "job well done?"
And, I don't think of food as a "tip." Kind of interesting that a photographer can be praised for providing food, when the same offer could be taken as "trying to date her" and make him look bad.
Har Marshal wrote: I don't do it frequently but have done it for models who have gone "above and beyond" during a shoot. Sometimes it's as simple as handing them a $20. Sometimes it's letting them keep part of the wardrobe.
I have done the same - usually when they show more skin than what was agreed upon. But also once because the hike to the location was more difficult than expected.
Jojo West
Posts: 929
Washington, District of Columbia, US
I've never been tipped for a TF shoot. Money is always welcome and if I got to take some outfits away from a shoot it would be awesome, buying your own clothes for shoots gets expensive. It may depend on the area and the photographers. I wouldn't expect to get a tip for payed shoots, so I just make sure to include travel expenses if it's totally out of the way.
I would say it happens to me at least fifty percent of the time. Usually it's an extra $20 for gas money or lunch, but sometimes it's a cool piece of wardrobe.
I get tipped fairly often. Sometime a lot and sometimes just $20 or so, but it is always appreciated and makes me feel good. I always try to exceed expectations and I think that is appreciated.
Emily Hayworth wrote: I would say it happens to me at least fifty percent of the time. Usually it's an extra $20 for gas money or lunch, but sometimes it's a cool piece of wardrobe.
Oh yes wardrobe or other items often get thrown in as well which is wonderful
K I C K H A M
Posts: 12,954
Los Angeles, California, US
Art of the nude wrote:
Do you tip photographers for a "job well done?"
And, I don't think of food as a "tip." Kind of interesting that a photographer can be praised for providing food, when the same offer could be taken as "trying to date her" and make him look bad.
On a TF shoot, I've only ever been handed money not previously discussed for gas.
I'm thinking we're using the word "tip" loosely, but I've been given extra money after a paid shot went well.
As far as food goes, I have bought photographers food after shoots before.
The problem with tipping photographers for a job well done, of course, is that you don't know if they did a good job until you get the photos. =P
Money-wise, I probably can't see tipping on a tf shoot, but if I paid a photographer that went above and beyond, maybe I would throw in something a little extra.
I know that this is a service industry but tipping a model? I'll feed and water the talent, I'll tip the pizza guy and even when I go for Chinese take out I'll leave a few bucks. NEVER when shooting a collaborative or TF or T-anything with talent.
sometimes i give people a little extra (or some money where none was promised). depends on the situation. generally it's when i feel like someone went a little above and beyond for me (like modeling at a meet&greet).
Jhono Bashian wrote: I know that this is a service industry but tipping a model? I'll feed and water the talent, I'll tip the pizza guy and even when I go for Chinese take out I'll leave a few bucks. NEVER when shooting a collaborative or TF or T-anything with talent.
I don't know why, and I'm sure people are always happy to be rewarded financially above and beyond, and maybe it's just semantics, but something about "tipping a model" sounds so prostitute-y and seedy to me.
Or maybe I'm just hanging around with too many prostitutes.
) then I like to do something extra. They seem nicely surprised when I mail them a couple of 8x10's. 
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