Luck and business

Apparently here in the UK a black cat crossing your path brings good luck and potential prosperity. 

We'll see.

I think working smart brings the possibility of good luck

Again, we'll see. 

I went out for a walk today to have me a think about where I'm at with my photography and self-publishing business. Bashed my knee over the weekend so walking was slow and painful. And when I walk to think, I tend not to make pictures of people, for some reason. I return home with shadows, shadow selfies, animals and more abstract pictures. Very different to when I set out specifically to make photographs. 

In the coming few weeks I will be working with theprintspace to do my first time limited print drop. I had resisted this for too long thinking that print buyers prefer to have prints made by the photographer and signed accordingly. Or would prefer to buy from a gallery. 

However, new research suggests that emerging collectors are buying directly from photographers and artists. Young professionals coming through are doing things differently. 

This is exciting. Though not so much for galleries. I suppose being consistent on social media and growing one's own contact list is similar to a gallery backing an artist / photographer. 

Given that my books are made by hand, I'm willing to test drop shipping such that I can potentially sell again in the EU and the US and bypass customs charges as theprintspace has facilities in Germany and Stateside. 

With current technology it is easy to maintain colour consistency across the world. This MacBook that I'm typing on is calibrated to an international industry standard for colour accuracy. I'll just have to trust the printing professionals that the prints for collectors will be produced and shipped at the highest possible quality as I'll not be able to sign off on all of them. 

Recently I had a huge print made in Germany and shipped to Ireland. It was exactly as I had expected. That's proof of concept for me. 

If my first print drop goes well, it'll likely become an essential aspect of my professional practice. The books need help. 

I have upped the frequency with which I submit new work to my commercial agent which I hope will perform better as this is an essential income stream too. It'll be some months yet before I can make a judgement on that. 

Previously I was often too exhausted by my part-time role at Apple to make new work and bring it to market. Now that I'm a photographer and publisher full-time, it is easier to keep on top of things.

All indications are good.

Thanks for your time and support. 

- Paul.