843. Unless very cautious in the purchasing of supplies, photographic mounts, etc., the photographer will find in a short time quite an accumulation of stock which is tying up money that he should have in the bank to use for discounting bills. Those who are established in business should, by experience, learn the quantities to purchase, yet it is surprising how little judgment is used by many experienced photographers in their purchasing of supplies, resulting in considerable loss during the year. The man who is just starting in business should buy cautiously and in small quantities, and after the first year's experience he will be able to judge more readily the class and style of materials to order.

844. Chemicals

Chemicals. When buying chemicals never seek bargains, but buy the best and purest chemicals obtainable. Always purchase in sealed packages, and never in bulk or broken packages. It is best to buy in small quantities and buy often. Fresh goods are thereby ensured.

845. Buying Paper

Buying Paper. Sensitized papers are furnished in rolls and in cut sheets, and for professional use they are put up in gross and half-gross boxes. The cut sizes are the most convenient to handle for all sizes from cabinet to 8 x 10, inclusive; for larger size prints the paper should be purchased in rolls.

846. Where platinum paper is used in fairly large quantity it is best to purchase in rolls, and it is advisable to adopt one grade of surface of platinum paper. A medium rough surface will be found the most suitable for all around purposes. It is not good policy to purchase more paper than you can consume during one month, and by limiting yourself in this way you will always have fresh paper, which will give you more uniform results.

847. Buying Card Mounts

Buying Card Mounts. As styles of mountings are constantly changing, it is unsafe to buy anything but standard goods when purchasing in large quantities. While there is some advantage in having a variety of mounts. there is danger of overdoing it. A dozen different styles of mountings are sufficient for even the largest studios.

848. Your first order for new style mounts should not be large, for you do not know how the particular mount will appeal to your patrons. Where you find a certain style is meeting with favor stick to it and duplicate in safe quantities. A good rule to follow, and one that will assist in keeping down surplus card mounts, is, that whenever you purchase a new style mount make arrangements to close out some of your old styles that are not salable. This can be done by offering pictures mounted on them at a special reduced price. You will always find some bargain seekers, even in the photographic business, and you can very readily dispose of all old stock to this class of trade.

849. A close watch should be kept on the stock-room, never allowing stock to accumulate, and when you have a certain style of mounts that are not moving satisfactorily, place your sample pictures bearing these mounts in a place where you will have them ready at hand, and for the next few weeks put forth efforts to sell pictures mounted on these particular mounts, and very often the placing of an extremely attractive picture on such a mount will be the means of selling it more rapidly.

850. If, after all, such efforts have failed, then a bargain price may be employed and offered to the class of customers who are seeking just such bargains, and by some means such as above outlined, you can keep your card supply from becoming stale, and never have any but salable mounts on hand.

851. We do not infer by the above remarks that you should purchase so sparingly that you cannot fill orders promptly. Such is not our meaning, but exercise your best judgment in this matter, and whenever selecting any particular mount determine the kind of picture you will mount on it, and the price you expect to get for such pic tures; then estimate (judging from your past experience) about how much of that stock you may be able to use for pictures at that price. Working upon this basis you can determine quite accurately the amount of goods to order.

CHILD PORTRAIT STUDY Study No. 40 - See Page 583 George J. Parrot.

CHILD PORTRAIT STUDY.

Study No. 41 - See Page 583

George J. Parrot