Workshop Guide Tipping: I've participated in a number of multiple day photography workshops. Some excellent with lots of guidance, some with "we got you here and now, you're on your...

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I've participated in a number of multiple day photography workshops. Some excellent with lots of guidance, some with "we got you here and now, you're on your own," etc. Talking to other participants, the gratuity amount for the non-owner guide seems "all over the map" from 15%+ of the total workshop cost to some fixed amount per day. The last such workshop I participated in, one night over a couple beers, the subject came up and I heard everything from "don't tip" to amounts I thought to be a little over the top. Among you who have experience in the matter, what's your rule of thumb assuming the guide met expectations?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Seems like the average I've found on the net for a "tour"guide in the US is $3-10 per day,
Obviously depending on your interpretation of how good they were.

(We did our tour guide in Iceland very well as he was excellent.)

Amielee Loc: Eastern Washington State

If you are talking about a "work shop" I don't think a tip is required. You pay to attend a work shop presumably put on by a professional (or someone who gets paid to put it on) and that pay should be sufficient. I do not pay a tip for medical workshops and would not pay a college educator for a class. The distinction is that professional people do not normally receive tips. I may however give a box of chocolates, flowers or some other gift for a very good presentation.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I've tipped anywhere between 0% to 20% plus depending on the experience. If you have multiple instructors tip each individual according to how they enlightened your experience. I've had no problem not tipping. Tipping is a way to show respect and appreciation for a job well done. Some deserve and others don't......

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Amielee wrote:

If you are talking about a "work shop" I don't think a tip is required. You pay to attend a work shop presumably put on by a professional (or someone who gets paid to put it on) and that pay should be sufficient. I do not pay a tip for medical workshops and would not pay a college educator for a class. The distinction is that professional people do not normally receive tips. I may however give a box of chocolates, flowers or some other gift for a very good presentation.

We tip the crew of a scuba dive boat $20.00 on a $125.00 dive trip. These folks have special skills that may save your life. Not saying photo tour pros aren’t skilled in what they do but lifesaving is likely not on their resume. Photo guide underwater in poor light breathing through a regulator spotting rare species communicating with hand signals in moving current and swell following moving fish is the guy who might deserve a little extra in the tip jar.

tcthome Loc: NJ

47greyfox wrote:

I've participated in a number of multiple day phot... (show quote)

Your money, do what you want. Do you feel like tipping, then do it. If it was a your on your own, I'm just here to get you to the loacation thing & you were told or expecting more(not satisfied), don't tip.

Photocraig

I've never tipped, but I have made a point of buying prints directly from the Pro's site. They're usually quite good, and the remind me of the person and what I learned.

C

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Amielee wrote:

If you are talking about a "work shop" I don't think a tip is required. You pay to attend a work shop presumably put on by a professional (or someone who gets paid to put it on) and that pay should be sufficient. I do not pay a tip for medical workshops and would not pay a college educator for a class. The distinction is that professional people do not normally receive tips. I may however give a box of chocolates, flowers or some other gift for a very good presentation.

oldschool

If the work shop is booked though an individual, I would not tip. If it is booked through a large firm, the guide is probably on a relatively small daily and I would tip. When traveling we do not tip individual tour guides, company guides we tip $15 to $25 per person per half day in developed countries.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

I did an Antelope Canyon Photo tour and tipped the guide $20, she was very good, knew camera settings and locations.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I've only done two photo trips. On the first, nothing was said about tipping. But I did supply some images to the group that sponsored it. (which they used, BTW.) On the second, it came as a big surprise at the end of the trip that we were supposed to tip each day's guide and even the van driver! I'm reading about a couple that I'd like to do, and they actually mention expected tips. The amount of those tips make the cost of the trip prohibitive to my pocketbook!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

On trips that use locals as guides or drivers, I tip $5-10/day some times more if they have been very good

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Amielee wrote:

If you are talking about a "work shop" I don't think a tip is required. You pay to attend a work shop presumably put on by a professional (or someone who gets paid to put it on) and that pay should be sufficient. I do not pay a tip for medical workshops and would not pay a college educator for a class. The distinction is that professional people do not normally receive tips. I may however give a box of chocolates, flowers or some other gift for a very good presentation.

Larryshuman

Architect1776 wrote:

I went to Costa Rico a few years ago. One evening we took a walk into the woods. The guide was hired by the tour (trip)operator. I found Leafcutter Ants on my own. When the walk in the wood ended we were asked tip him $20. He was hired by the tour (trip) operator and was paid by the tour (trip) operator so why the tipping? This also happened on a bear photo trip to Kodiak Alaska. So I don't do photo touring anymore. Its gotten way beyond my ability to pay so I concentrate on images closer to home.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Larryshuman wrote:

I went to Costa Rico a few years ago. One evening ... (show quote)

I have never taken one as I see them as a bit silly.