Fine Art Photography Weekly with Peter Urban

What is your view Alain with regards to how photographers mat their prints. Some artists use the typical white mat no matter what the print – other artists create a unique mat, multi-coloured and match it with a unique frame. Is is just a matter of taste?

I personally don’t like to to talk to sales people during shows as I feel pressured. How do you strike a balance of being helpful vs pressuring the customer. I was just thinking it might be interesting to video yourself with a mock conversation with a customer to improve your performance. We are our own biggest critic. Also, why do many artists have this weird association with making money equating to “selling out” – you don’t get it. You don’t have to be poor to be a talent!

Do you think you damage your brand by putting a low price on your piece – can you ever go back to pricing higher, do existing customers get angry? Also, using a service like Smugmug is a quick fix for fulfillment but then you are not printing yourself with your own skill – can you comment on this?

Are you planning to write more books? If so what subjects are you looking at?

Do you have any tips for online marketing? Also, how did you come up with your pricing for your DVDs?

Do you think you lose any credibility by attending your own shows – is having some “mystery” around your persona useful or detrimental?

What kind of approach do you use with customers when you are at your own show or at a booth where you are selling your work?

How in the world can you get any traction as a photographer if you don’t have a bank roll to start. I don’t want to start out with a crappy site and poorly framed images and if I continue with my full time job I won’t have time to market my work properly.