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Weekly Recap: Better Background Removal, Easier Mobile Downloads & Capture App 5.10 ✂️📱

Weekly Recap: Better Background Removal, Easier Mobile Downloads & Capture App 5.10 ✂️📱
Hey photo friends! 👋

Candy here with another weekly recap! This week’s biggest improvements are in Background Removal, with better sports cutouts, and faster processing.

We’ve also made the mobile receipt download experience much easier, added a couple of helpful Capture App features, and cleaned up several Dashboard workflows.

✂️ Background Removal Keeps Getting Better

Background Removal got another round of quality and performance improvements this week:

Faster processing

  • BGR is now a bit quicker overall.

🏈 Better sports cutouts

  • Cutout quality has been improved, particularly for sports-related images.

📈 Continuous improvement system

  • We’ve also added a new system designed to help Background Removal continue improving over time as we further refine the process.

📱 Mobile Downloads Are Much Easier

The Web Receipt Download Page has been reworked on mobile to make getting images into your phone or sharing them much simpler.

🗂️ Info cards now use two columns

  • Just like desktop, which gets the actual image downloads closer to the top of the page.

📤 Download is now Share on mobile

  • Individual images now show Share instead of Download and open your device’s native share sheet.
  • That makes it easier to save an image to your Photos app, text it to someone, or send it directly into another app.

🖼️ Share All sends actual image files

  • The previous Download All option is now Share All on compatible mobile browsers.
  • Instead of creating one ZIP file, it attaches the images individually so you can more easily save the entire gallery to the Photos app (or send the images elsewhere).
  • If the browser can’t handle the share—for example, if there are too many images—it will automatically fall back to a ZIP like desktop.

📷 Capture App 5.10

iOS & Android App Store update — September 8

Two handy additions made their way into Capture App 5.10:

🔊 Audible scan confirmation

  • You’ll now hear a beep after successfully scanning a card, making it easier to know immediately that the scan worked.
  • Should help you and your hired photographers better know when a Scan Card has been succesfully scanned when using the Scanner ID Workflow!

📸 “TAKE PHOTO” placeholder is back

  • The familiar image placeholder has returned to the shooting workflow.
  • Should help new users or hired photographers know when the app is ready to receive images!

🛍️ Retail Improvements

🖼️ Overlay now appears in the cropper

  • If a shopper selects an Event overlay, they can now see it while adjusting their crop.

📱 Larger overlay preview on mobile

  • The image shown during the “Would you like to use this Event’s overlay?” step is now bigger on mobile.

✉️ Better mobile email receipts

  • Receipt emails should now display more reliably in a mobile-friendly layout across mobile email clients.

🧩 Memory Mate fix

  • Fixed an edge case where TKO images couldn’t be selected as the primary image when the Memory Mate configurator was opened from a Group Photo.

🍎 iOS 26 layout cleanup

  • Fixed a small spacing issue on the overlay-selection screen when Safari is using bottom-positioned tabs.

🖥️ Dashboard Updates

🏷️ Event names are easier to keep track of

  • Desktop Event pages now prefix the Event name in the header.

👥 Cleaner merged-participant display

  • Tabbed-in merged participants now have a subtle curved line visually connecting them to the main participant.

📊 Marketing History traffic fix

  • Fixed some retail web traffic chart dates being displayed incorrectly because of timezone differences.

🖼️ Virtual Group image picker fix

  • Double-clicking a blank participant will continue opening the Image Picker correctly after a refresh.

🎨 “Overlay” renamed to “Foreground” in Virtual Group Builder

  • This helps distinguish Virtual Group foreground artwork from full-frame Event overlays.

📄 Easier Manage Images pagination

  • When you’re beyond page one, page controls now also appear above the images so you don’t have to scroll all the way down just to switch pages.

🪪 Clearer Positive ID activity logs

  • Image Details now correctly reports “Image Positive ID’d to X” rather than describing the action as Tap-A-Face or categorizing it as Face Matching.

That’s the week!

Better cutouts are the biggest story, but the new mobile sharing workflow should also make a noticeable difference for customers trying to get their photos from a receipt onto their phones.

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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Capture & Upload App Update: Version 3.22
Feature Updates
May 10, 2024

Capture & Upload App Update: Version 3.22

3
 minutes read
🌟 Candy here with a new Capture & Upload app update overview! 🌟

Candy here with a fresh scoop on the latest tweaks to our Capture & Upload app! 📲 While this update might seem light on the surface, it's packed with all sorts of behind-the-scenes magic to boost performance and stability. ✨

To make sure you're getting the best out of NowCandid, keep your devices (both Windows & iOS) updated! 🔄

In the Capture & Upload app, just tap the information screen (that's the "i" button in the app) to see your app version and confirm you're rocking version 3.22. 🎉

iOS & Windows App Updates: 🛠️

  • Misc improvements & fixes to keep things running smoothly.
  • Now see the number of logs for each date when using the log uploader – super handy! 🗓️
  • New "Having trouble?" popup if 30 seconds pass on the take photo screen without any action. It's got helpful reminders in case something's amiss! 🕒
  • Say goodbye to the "Service Lost" popup on the shooting screen—it won't bug you anymore! 🚫
  • Introduced a dedicated "Name Lookup" button for Positive ID Events, making things more obvious than ever. 🔍
  • Misc UI tweaks & improvements to spruce things up!
  • Changed the "Dismiss" button in the update popup to "Use Old Version" for those who like a throwback. ⏪
  • Updated the "Add Participant" keypad to match the chic look of our newer Tap-A-Face keypad. 👯

iOS-App-Only Updates: 🍏

  • Truncate event name on iPhone at the top if name is super long (so it fits on 1 line)

Thanks for tuning in, and for being such amazing users of NowCandid! 🌈

See you again soon! And remember, if you've got questions or need a little help, just reach out. We're here for you! 💌

Cheers and sparkles,

Candy 🍬

Surprising Earnings: $18 Per Graduate at Middle School Graduations with GradPics Now!
GradPics
May 9, 2024

Surprising Earnings: $18 Per Graduate at Middle School Graduations with GradPics Now!

8
 minutes read

Breaking New Ground at Middle School Graduations 🎓

Traditionally, high school and college graduations are where photographers using GradPics Now hit high sales marks, often achieving $20 per graduate or even soaring to $40-$50+. This has set a solid benchmark for what we consider successful revenue from graduation events. However, middle school graduations, also known as moving up ceremonies, have typically seen much lower sales figures—until now.

A Surprising Success Story 🌟

A GradPics Now user recently shattered our modest expectations by earning over $18 per graduate at a middle school graduation ceremony. Covering this event with the same vigor and strategy as higher education graduations, including the use of our Selfie Check-In feature, this photographer managed to turn what is often considered a less lucrative opportunity into a significant success. With more than 400 graduates participating, the total sales exceeded $7,200 for just this one middle school event. Impressive, right?

The Power of Immediate Engagement 📸

This remarkable achievement highlights an important lesson: the potential of middle school graduations as viable and profitable photography events. The success at this particular ceremony suggests that GradPics Now, especially with the implementation of Selfie Check-In, is exceptionally effective at capturing the moment and leveraging the emotions of proud parents. This immediate engagement allows photographers to capitalize on the celebratory atmosphere right then and there, boosting sales significantly.

Expanding Your Horizons 🌍

This case study serves as a powerful testament to the capabilities of GradPics Now across different educational levels. If you've primarily focused on high school or college graduations, it might be time to consider the untapped potential of middle school ceremonies. The combination of efficient technology and emotional moments can clearly yield fantastic results.

Get Prepared with Pre-Grad Chats 💬

Interested in exploring how you can maximize your success with middle school graduations? Schedule a pre-grad chat with Jack (https://calendly.com/nowcandid-training) to refine your strategy and ensure you're fully equipped to make the most of every graduation ceremony this season. We salute all graduation photographers making memorable moments last. Good luck this grad season, and here's to raising the bar even higher!

Grad Season Preparation: Schedule a Pre-Grad Chat with Jack!
GradPics
May 7, 2024

Grad Season Preparation: Schedule a Pre-Grad Chat with Jack!

7
 minutes read
As graduation season approaches, ensuring your photography services are streamlined and optimized can significantly impact your sales and client satisfaction.

At NowCandid, we're dedicated to helping you maximize your graduation ceremony photography with efficient tools and strategies. Let's dive into how you can enhance your approach this grad season.

Schedule Your Pre-Grad Strategy Session 📅

Kick off the season right by booking a pre-grad chat with Jack (https://calendly.com/nowcandid-training). In this meeting, we'll cover:

  • Event Setup: Make sure you setup your GradPics Now Event correctly, and know what to expect.
  • Equipment Review: Ensure you have all the necessary gear for what you want to accomplish.
  • Best Practices: Tips and tricks to boost your confidence and readiness.

This session is crucial for tackling your events with the expertise needed to capture every memorable moment.

Jack has even doubled his usual Calendly availability for grad season! Take advantage!

Mastering Selfie Check-In 🤳

Selfie Check-In revolutionizes how you capture and associate images with graduates:

  • Ensure Participation: Encourage every graduate to use the Selfie Check-In upon arrival. Consider assigning assistants to facilitate this process.
  • Visibility: Utilize multiple QR code placements—signs, lanyards, and handheld QR code signs (https://www.teamphotonetwork.com/QP...) to ensure no one misses out.
  • Extended Reach: Gather information not just from graduates, but also their families, expanding your marketing reach.

Benefits of Live-Uploading 🌐

Connect your camera to an iPhone, iPad, or Windows device for real-time image uploading and instant gallery updates:

  • Immediate Availability: Images are uploaded during the ceremony, speeding up delivery and increasing sales potential.
  • Seamless Integration: Use either direct camera tethering or post-event uploading through the NowCandid Web Dashboard for continuous marketing and matching.
  • Less Work: Once you and your photographers leave a ceremony, you're done! Walk away and watch the sales roll in.

Comprehensive Photo Coverage 📸

Go beyond the traditional shots to truly capture the spirit of graduation. More photos mean higher chances of sales. Capture a broad range of moments to provide ample choices for your clients.

  • Processionals
  • Buddy Shots
  • Pre-Stage Portraits
  • Post-Stage Portraits
  • Handshake Shots
  • Recessionals
  • Friends & Family Shots

Why Choose NowCandid for Graduations? 🎓

GradPics Now isn't just about taking photos; it's about enhancing the entire experience:

  • Background Removal: Currently free! Background removal can add a professional touch, allowing subjects to choose from selectable, default backgrounds.
  • Full Support: Our support team handles customer inquiries related to orders and ordering, so you can focus on shooting.
  • Cost-Effective: No subscriptions; we only profit when you do, only taking a small commission on orders, ensuring our goals align with your success.
  • User-Friendly: Designed for ease of use, robust against mistakes, and backed by reliable recovery options.
  • Residual Sales: We keep images hosted and online for at least 15 years, helping you get residual sales as the years go by.
  • Successful: Graduation photographers find it incredibly easy compared to their past workflows, and find themselves earning 20%+ more (or in some cases, much more than that!) than what they previously made in sales, with a fraction of the effort.

Ready to take your graduation photography to the next level?

Don't wait—schedule your session with Jack today (https://calendly.com/nowcandid-training) and ensure you're fully prepared to make this grad season your most successful yet!

Let’s get in touch

If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid services to your wheelhouse – set up a call by clicking the button below.

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