Don’t Tip Your Photographer

This is an adaptation of my weekly newsletter, Adventures Big & Small. If you want to receive emails like these, click here to subscribe.

It is not uncommon for a family to ask how they can leave me a tip. Grandparents are very often the most likely. First off — what a generous, thoughtful gesture. I never take that for granted. Simply asking brightens my day.

But I don’t accept tips. And there’s a reason why — one that I believe says something about the experience of working with me.

It makes me think about the difference between being nice and being kind.
It’s something I think and talk about a lot (possibly more than my wife and daughter would prefer).

Nice is… nice.
Kind is something I aspire to.

Nice is telling your friend they look great.
Kind is telling them they have spinach in their teeth.

Nice is letting your toddler eat another fruit snack after the “last one.”
Kind is holding the boundary and validating their meltdown.

Nice is undercharging and praying for tips.
Kind is naming the real cost upfront so everyone knows what to expect.

My prices are designed to reflect the real value of your photo session — and the realities of running a sustainable, creative business here in the Bay Area.

So instead of a tip, I’ll ask for something even more meaningful – tell a friend about me. Word of mouth is the most powerful way to help a small business like this one. If giving a tip is being nice, a referral within your community is pure kindness!