Thanks to the internet and to posts like this one from MoMA and PS-1 in their blog section "Inside/Out" - the public is more aware of what we do (and that we even exist as a profession) every day. This particular image kind of suggests that perhaps preparators are more Art-Wranglers than Art-Handlers (why I particularly like it) but luckily the rest of the post provides a pretty complete illustration of the process used here to assemble and install a truly impressive work of art.
Thanks to MoMA and to the author Cara Manes, Collection Specialist in the Department of Painting and Sculpture for providing all of our friends and relatives greater insight into why we love what we do.