I developed these magic "Psychic Photos" as a way
of attracting attention to my photography business, at various
locations where I have a photo booth set up, or where I have a
chance to get on a stage to announce that I will be taking
photographs, etc.
Effect #1 was designed for the stage.
I go into the crowd and look for a good photographer's model. I
try out several, giving them an envelope to hold to pretend they
are advertising the sponsor's product. When I find a likely
candidate, I bring her forward to the front of the crowd or up
onto the stage and have her show off a few poses. Then I pick up
a blank piece of photo paper and have her look at it on both
sides. I slide the blank paper into one of the photo frames I use
to give customers along with their photos. This is also a chance
for me to advertise my business a little. I give her the frame
and ask her to seal it in the envelope she is still holding. Then
I ask her to pose with the envelope again, just like she did
before. This time I clap my hands and from my hands there is a
bright flash of light. I ask her to unseal the envelope, remove
the frame and open it. Inside, she finds a photo of herself
holding the envelope. I give her a coupon that she can use to
have a more professional photo of herself taken at my booth and I
also promise to give her the photo I took of her by my
"psychic powers" as a magician/photographer and have it
mounted in a nice wood and glass frame.
Effect # 2 was designed for Bars.
I often go to clubs to work as a professional photographer, and
those who are bored with the club show can often be found at the
bar. They are prime customers for me, since they have nothing
better to do than get their photo taken.
I take out my wallet and pass out my business cards or
coupons for free photos. Then I show someone that there is a
photo in my wallet and ask him to verify that. I close my wallet
and pull out a bag of playing cards from my jacket pocket. I
remove the cards, drop in the wallet and give the bag to a young
lady to hold. Then I have her choose a playing card from the deck
and drop it into the bag along with my wallet. I take the bag and
dump it out onto the table. The wallet falls out, but there is no
card. As I replace the pack of playing cards to the bag, I ask
the young lady to look at the photo that was in my wallet before
she ever touched the bag. She opens the wallet and finds a
photograph of herself that has been printed on the face of the
playing card she chose.
