My guess ... it's really your preference ... most people won't be walking around the fair with their favorite pic in hand.  If you set up in a tent with a backdrop that is light in color and uniform, you could take the pic and have an easier pic to work with, controlled lighting, and a composition you're comfortable with.  Any digital pic over 3.5 mega pixel is of higher quality than what they currently scan 35mm negatives at so a 5 mp digital pic will yield more detail than 35mm and may be an advantage.  There is so much to this topic it could go on for days and never be anwered but ... if you've got the ability to take a QUALITY pic and work from that you could certainly charge more money as well ... sitting fees, processing, patterning, cutting, matting, framing ... "custom" work in the truest sense.  Just my thoughts, and I've thought about it a LOT!!  *LOL*  ~Andy

Porky,

 

I've been promoting my custom portraits at craft fairs for the past 2-3 years and rarely does someone want a portrait of themselves. 9 out of 10 want one of their kids, grand kids, etc........ but if you have the option of taking a digital photo of those who may be looking for a portrait of themself, then go for it. That way you can preview the shot immediately and take a couple so you'll have options if one doesn't work.

 

Another thing I've found is that people assume, when I have my saw with me at a show, that I can do a portrait on the spot. I then proceed to tell them that it takes time to create a pattern using a computer which I do at home.

 

You might want to create a brochure showing some samples of work you've done and your prices along with an order form or instructions on how to place an order. If you can't do that, at minimum, have business cards made up either professionally or on your computer. I would sugest if your budget allows to have them professionally printed in raised ink. You can get a pretty good price at Staples and you can either bring in your own design or use one of their templates. Use spot color and not photographic or colored clip art if having them printed professionally or else they will cost an arm and a leg because they will have to make a different plate for each color. CMYK is very expensive.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Linster

I too have been selling portraits at shows for a few years now. I have a special table set up just with stuff for advertising personal portraits. I display a few I have made along with flyers and business cards.People really take the flyers, I never seem to have enough made. But... the down side is, I do not have much luck selling personal portraits at shows.My personal portraits sell best by 3 sorces. #1 being word of mouth! #2 I sell portraits every now and then on E-Bay. In my ad I put the info about personal portraits as well as being able to do any celebrity.I do get requests that way. I write off my e-bay expenses as advertising costs! The 3rd is promoting myself. I bring portraits with me everywhere I go. Weather it be out to lunch, the doc the dentist etc. I NEVER leave home without them.I have extensive dental work being done with no insurance. I brought my portraits to may last appointment and my dentist bought several large unframed ones and applied $100.00 toward my bill! His nurse ordered a 11x14 of Monroe from me.Went to eat at Texas roadhouse a few weeks back. They had some LeDoux music playing. When the managert came by the table I told him I loved his choice in music. We talked a bit about Ledoux and I told him of the portraits. He set up a meeting to look at some. He is setting up a corprate meeting to hopefully do Personal Portraits of all the EMPLOYEES of the month. Two in each location.I will know next week if I have the job or not. I also left with him flyers as well as a bbok of patterns for his employees to look through.

It took a while for me to get up the courage to promote myself as I tend to be a bit on the low self esteem side.Now it is second nature to carry those portraits with me.I walk with a cane and I sometimes forget to bring it with me but I never for get the portraits LOL

Hope these ideas help you out some. Let us know how your show goes

Deb