I understand that this list is chock full of teachers but some of you really
need to learn how to conduct business first, and art second. I love the folk
on this list and have been here for quite a while and will help anyone who
asks
but please make sure you always put profit and self interest above your art.
The world is not likely to beat a path to your doorstep and pay you just to
shoot art. You have to charge for it. That is the one thing that I wish
Adams, and the others from his time had bothered to father books on.
Les
Most of us are in direct opposition to what you suggest. And, Ansel did
write about this a lot. Adams gave away lots of prints. He offered deals,
took time payments and even traded with young no-name photographers straight
one for one.
His business manager went bonkers on some very few occasions, but the acts
of kindness neaver failed to fulfill with greater abundence.
My advice is based on the secret desire to give a print of mine to every
person in the world. Yes. Give.
That being said, sure Kostas, give the print to the person with a gesture of
appreciation for having used that car. With the gift, invite them to the
show. IF they come to the show, they will then see there are more to be
bought and fill the series. You can never lose by extending an act of
kindness.
In fact, just this year I sent on approval to a collector some work and
invited them to keep one inparticular that I'd included as a gift in thanks
for taking time to look at my photography on approval. Now, I'm part of an
important collection. Did I sell one? Not telling, because it becomes
anscilary to the art NOT primary.
I have work in national museums that were juried in, no matter if they all
were patronized (got me paid) or donated (got my tax exemption raised
higher) they're in an archive and make me a footnote to sustain the passion
and provide those who want to buy my pictures with additional pride and
incentive.
No argument . . . give.
Steve Shapiro, Carmel, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: "kpp@xxxxxxxxxx" <kpp@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Nov 12, 2005 2:18 AM
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Would you give away a print to a prospective client?
well the subject line does not actually say it all...
I need your advice on such a matter, but first I would like you to think
outside US standards and adapt your thinking to a smaller market(Greece)
stnadards.
Here is the cituation...Tuesday a friend and I are opening an excibition.
A small series of mind (5 prints) is from a derelict abandoned car, and bit
uncoventional ones too. Now the owner of the Greek Sales Firm that
rerpresents the still active car maker is an art lover (mainly paintings)
and collector.
So the idea is...pick a print out of the 5 of them, and sent it to him along
with samples of the rest. Expect a buy of the rest.
I know some would say to invite the man himself, but that requirew asking an
elderly and busy man to travel by car for some hours to visit 2 amateurs'
excibition.
On the other hand I do have a contact in that firm, since the brother of my
best friend works there, and actually he is the one that dropped the idea.
So what do you think?
Thnaks, kostas
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