There is nothing more important to any business than customer feedback. Without it, you’re kind of navigating in the dark.

That’s why I love it when collectors of my work take the time to correspond with me after a purchase from the shop, whether that’s an email, blog comment, or review on the product page. I especially appreciate receiving pictures of their prints, after matting and framing.

Susan Carrick has ticked all those boxes and I’m grateful for her patronage and feedback. She recently purchased two of my prints from the Eighties Vancouver collection: Captain Cook Tug Passes Granville Island, Vancouver, 1985, and Hostel, Jericho, Vancouver, 1985.

It’s interesting when customers recount personal stories in relation to my photographs, because that indicates that my “vintage” documentary work is serving a purpose outside of my own personal visions.

Susan’s husband has worked on coastal tugboats for many years and her father was stationed at Jericho when the hostel served its original purpose as a military barracks.

My dad was in the Air Force in 1950 or 1951, in Communications. We did move across Canada a few times, finally ended up back in Vancouver when I was 5 or so. I do remember going for a Sunday drive as a family once in a while as dad would have to go in….I suspect to pick up his pay.  The barracks were on the right and a little further we turned left into another area where he worked.  I recognized the barracks, now the hostel, right away going through your work!

The double mat works very nicely, with the black lower mat creating a border that sets off the black-and-white print nicely. I include framing tips with all purchases (Susan thanked me for the guidance) but I’m thoroughly impressed with the display choices made here.