So, my question is do photographers not follow preservation techniques?
The answer to this is that most photographers don't know about preservation techniques, nor do they care. They want things framed as cheap as possible ("A thin black frame.") and usually with a single mat (to save money). I have succeeded in "educating" photographers (and some artists) that there are ways to frame photographs and artwork in frames other than black, and adding a second mat doesn't add that much to the cost, and it makes their work more presentable and saleable.
Two examples: I have a photographer from Madison (100 miles away) that sends me his images for printing on high end 100% rag cotton paper. He eventually asked me to cut single mats for his work. I then asked him what he was doing for frames. His answer was getting was going to Target and buying the cheapest frames they had. But then complained that he makes all these prints and frames them for shows but his sales are next to nothing. I suggested a little better frame that I could make for a little more money than what he was paying from Target and add a second mat with colors that complimented his work. His sales shot up and also won a couple of competitions.
My second example is of a very talented artist that would go to rummage sales and second hand stores to buy his frames where he would then paint his work on different mediums to match the size of the frames he bought. Before he would frame his pieces, he would bring the artwork in scanning for record and for future printing if he wanted to reproduce some of his paintings. One day he was complaining about his work not getting accepted into some high end galleries and his sales were slim to none at art shows. I have known this artist for a few years so I was comfortable enough to ask if I could be honest with him. He said please do! So I told him that anyone using their disposable income to buy framed art will not be fooled by a beat up out of style frame on his beautiful work. I went through the buyer's thought process in comtemplating a purchase ... "It's a nice piece but I will need to reframe this and that will probably cost xxx more. Is this worth it?" In telling him that he then said he was going to submit 6 pieces to high end gallery where twice before his work was rejected after submission. I suggested he let me put new frames on his work, some required mats others just frames on his acrylic on board and oil on canvas. Cost was a concern but I offered a payment plan to get him to do the project. He agreed and I framed all 6 pieces and all 6 were accepted to the gallery. Within four weeks he sold 4 pieces! I got paid sooner than later and I am now framing all his work.
Sorry this got a little long, but my point is as a framer, you continually need to educate the customer, which may be a photographer or an artist. Try to help the customer think outside the box and try something new. Ask permission to make a suggestion to help their framed piece look better, especially if they appear to have their mind made up. All they can do is say "no", or they may take your suggestion which will probably increase your sales. And the rewarding part is when the customer picks up their framed work, they tell you it's better than they imagined and they thank you for your expert suggestions.
