Photographers Cards
25 February, 2021
I have a small but lovely collection of cards that I’ve been sent or picked up at exhibitions over the years. I usually have them dotted around my studio and often change them around to keep things fresh.
I really like receiving one when I’ve bought a photobook from a photographer and I especially like it when there is a small note written on the back, usually a message of thanks. It’s a connection, a bond made by such a simple act. I always send one with any book or print sales I make, I find it brings me closer to the person that has decided that they like my work and want to support me in what I do, so I think it’s an important touch. I was elated when a local book store bought copies of my book “Black Dog”. The owner of the book shop said he wanted to buy and stock copies and I remember thinking that it felt odd that I wouldn’t know where they would end up and that they would end up sitting in a bookshelf without any connection. So I took the unusual step of writing out a card and slipping it inside the book for the buyer to find. I wrote, “Thank you for buying my book, I hope you enjoy it, it’s been a labour of love”. Part of me is hoping that the card ends up somewhere visible and perhaps may spark a conversation and lead to the book being shown to others, that would be a nice job done.
Of course, this isn’t a new idea, in fact it’s almost as old as Photography itself. They were originally called “Cabinet Cards” and were produced as a way of advertising usually a portrait photography business with their name on the front and usually a designed back, a perfect way to advertise a photography service.
The cards I have are also a reflection of the photographers that send them, usually really well printed with thoughtful design and layout. I often wonder if the chosen image is the photographers favourite? With me, it usually is and I like to think this simple gesture helps weld a bond that can last.
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