Maybe My Last Print Sale

Last week, someone from town hall contacted me about this photo.

They wondered if I would permit them to print it and then have it framed. This would be a parting gift be for a long-standing townhall retiree. 

There were a few problems. For one thing, the copy they had was too low of resolution to print: at least not well. I replied that I could supply them with higher quality version for a modest fee. 

I don't mind too much allowing my work to appear gratis on a website or in a brochure, but when you are willing to pay for printing and framing, I have to think that the artist deserves some compensation as well. I was not angry about this oversight, for people just tend not to think. Perhaps, the intent wasn't even that they wanted it for free, but they just didn't mention compensation.

In addition, I also suggested that I had a better photo of town hall, one that was already printed and framed. It was a leftover from when I used to (and also until recently in one location) display some of my work.

I had been saving the print for such a moment, for it has happened before that they have suddenly requested this or a similar photo. It was 11x14 and nicely framed and matted, and they could have it for $100, which might have been less costly than them making a new print and then going to the additional expense of framing and matting.

They wanted an idea of what it looked like framed because they wanted some room on the matting, so I took a quick snap that happened to include my shadow, but it was enough to give them the idea.

This may very well be the last print that I will ever sell. It's okay. I've been there and done that, and I enjoyed doing it. Maybe I will even get back into it in future. Who's to say? I, for one, just don't know. I do know, however, that I am not sorry to leave it for the present.