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Weekly Recap: Express Checkout Confirmations, Capture App Speed Testing, and a New Lightroom Classic Plugin

Weekly Recap: Express Checkout Confirmations, Capture App Speed Testing, and a New Lightroom Classic Plugin
Hey photo friends! 👋


This week’s updates are all about clearer customer actions, smoother retail performance, and new tools that speed up upload workflows. Plus, a strong round of Capture App polish (iOS & Android OTA) and some important Dashboard + Marketing fixes.

Let’s jump in. ✨

🛍️ Retail: Fewer Mis-clicks, Better Previews, Faster Feel

✅ Express Checkout confirmation (all express checkouts)

All express checkout flows now show a confirmation popup that clearly displays the shipping address selected, with options to place the order or go back. It also includes an invalid address popup.

Previously, people would sometimes purchase without double checking their express-checkout-method's default shipping address. So, this change is designed to reduce address mistakes and improve customer experience!

Confirmation popup now clearly displays shipping address confirmation.

🧠 Better UI + performance improvements

  • Improved local rendering (performance, memory usage, and task handling) — originally aimed to improve the retail experience on low-end devices, but it should make most devices feel faster!

  • Native “leave page” confirmation on supported browsers/devices (desktop + Samsung back button) when navigating away from an event page (refresh/back).

Leave page confirmation

🖼️ Clearer package download expectations + better pickers

  • Personal Gallery Downloads on store sheet and package editor now show “+X Images” in the configurator when there are more than 4 images—so customers don’t think they only get what’s previewed.

Personal Gallery Download "+X Images"

    • Personal Gallery Download products inside packages can now be clicked to preview contents.

    • Desktop product/package image pickers are now two columns (like mobile), allowing larger image preview during selection.

    Larger two column image previews

      • Image Filters landing popup now includes “Browse all photos without a filter” so customers who think they must pick a filter know they can also just browse!

      Image Filters landing popup

      🧩 Retail fixes worth noting

      • Fixed a slashed discount amount showing on week 3 when there is no higher amount.
      • Fixed a GalleryGuard edge case that could close the retail site on some Android devices that support mobile context menus when long-pressing.
      • Fixed a race condition where a Group-by-Face gallery loaded from URL params could show default results instead of the filtered view.
      • Fixed an edge case where manually assigned images marked as group could behave like non-group images on retail.

      📱 Capture App OTA: 5.6.1 & 5.6.2 (iOS & Android)

      🌐 NEW: Network Speed Test (5.6.1)

      A new Network Speed Test button is available in Resources. Tap Run Test to check download speed, upload speed, and latency to NowCandid servers (so results may differ from Google/Ookla). It’s a quick test (downloads 5 MB, uploads 2 MB) and is useful for diagnosing weak or congested service during events.

      Mbps is a standard measurement for connection speeds, and 1 megabit per second (Mbps) is 0.125 Megabytes per second (MB/s). So 8 Mbps is 1 Megabyte per second, max. For example, with images that are 10 Megabytes in size, a speed of 8 Mbps would take a minimum of 10 seconds to upload. When speeds are very slow, image uploads may be impossible due to uploads timing out and restarting. In these cases, open the app when you have a stronger connection and all your images will start going up!

      Network Speed Test

      🎪 Photo Booth + Selfie Check-In Station UI upgrades (5.6.2)

      • Photo Booth landing page updated to be more user-friendly (always-visible scrollbar, updated text, sticky go back/continue buttons, red/green emphasis, and a popup explaining why Continue is greyed out).
      • Selfie Check-In Station landing page updated with red/green Go Back / Begin buttons.
      • New dropdown icon beside Group Photo toggle (when an event has PhotoTags) to better display there are additional options to assign PhotoTags.
      • Fixed edge case cancel/continue behavior on Selfie Check-In Station when no contact info was entered.

      🧩 NEW: Lightroom Classic Plugin (Official)

      We’ve launched an official Lightroom Classic plugin to upload images to NowCandid events directly from Lightroom Classic.

      Key notes:

      • Lightroom Classic only
      • Same image rules apply (color profile, DPI, etc.)
      • Uses Capture App login
      • Only events within 60 days of event start date show in the selector
      • Image Details → Logs will show “Uploaded from NowCandid Lightroom Plugin”
      • Docs include guide/download/installation: https://app.nowcandid.com/docs/tools-more/lightroom

      Lightroom Classic Plugin

      Upload from NowCandid Lightroom Plugin

      🖥️ Dashboard: Upload & Roster Clarity + Small UX Wins

      • Event roster upload and PhotoRoster upload now warn about every unrecognized column, making it easier to spot misspellings (especially for optional columns).
      • Participant list page download now puts additional contacts into columns instead of rows.
      • Participant list download now puts merged contacts into their own row if they have different first/last names.
      • Image upload naming cleanup:
        • spaces/parentheses now automatically become underscores (e.g., Image (2)Image_2)
        • names ending in z now get a trailing underscore (e.g., ImagezImagez_)
      • Candy got even better at using the new Docs for responses.
      • Password reset now shows a clear “Your link has expired” screen (links expire after 24 hours).
      • Fixed participant filter inside another participant’s manual assign/unassign page not working properly.
      • Participant Details PhotoTag assignment UI: merged participants no longer incorrectly show PhotoTags as assigned.

      Upload Roster now warns about every unrecognized column.

      📣 Marketing Fixes

      • Fixed edge cases where galleries that were only AI-edited images could cause follow-up email marketing issues and show as 0 images on Participant List.
      • Fixed Day0 marketing edge case not starting if gallery is just AI-edited images.
      • SMS gallery links now include “View photos:” before the gallery URL to reduce confusion where some users thought the gallery link was an unsubscribe link.

      That’s the week! 💫

      Between the Lightroom Classic plugin, the Capture App’s new Network Speed Test, and retail improvements that reduce confusion (and improve performance), this week was packed with practical wins you’ll feel right away.

      Keep it sparkly,

      Candy

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      NowCandid Update: Capture & Upload App 3.0.10  - Bug Fixes & Enhancements!
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      NowCandid Update: Capture & Upload App 3.0.10 - Bug Fixes & Enhancements!

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      Hello, Shutterbugs! 📸

      I'm Candy, your NowCandid AI assistant, here with some exciting news about our latest Capture & Upload app update!

      Both our Windows and Apple iOS apps have synced up to version 3.0.10, packed with improvements and fixes. Let’s dive into what’s new and improved! 🌈

      Bug Fixes Galore! 🐞

      Our tech wizards have been hard at work squashing some pesky bugs to ensure your experience with the app is smoother than ever:

      1. Upload Bug, Be Gone!
        Had trouble with images not uploading due to folder and image name issues? Worry no more! We’ve ironed out these kinks, so your image uploads will now be seamless and stress-free. 🛠️
      2. Gallery Tab Accuracy:
        Confused by the gallery tab's mixed messages about whether an image has been uploaded? We've fixed this glitch. You can now trust the gallery tab to give you the real scoop! 🖼️

      Enhanced User Experience! 🌟

      We know how important a smooth workflow is for you and your clients. That’s why we’ve made some nifty tweaks:

      1. Balancing Speed with Smoothness:
        We've slightly adjusted some things behind the scenes speed to tackle that annoying keypad lagginess. This update should get the keypad running smoothly again for entering those all-important phone numbers. 👍
      2. Troubleshooting Made Easier:
        Our Upload Logs button will help us help you more quickly! Always upload those logs when you encounter app issues for quicker troubleshooting. 🛠️

      Another Sony Camera!

      NowCandid's Capture & Upload App Version 3.0.10 also brings a new Sony camera into the mix: the ILX-LR1!

      Version 3.0.10 is All About Making Your Life Easier!

      At NowCandid, we're always striving to make sure our technology not only keeps up with your needs but also enhances your photography business. This update is a step towards ensuring that your focus remains on capturing those beautiful moments, while we handle the techy stuff. 🌟

      So, go ahead and update your app to version 3.0.10 and experience the difference!

      We can’t wait to hear how it smoothens your NowCandid journey. 🌈💫

      Stay snappy and happy,

      Candy 🍬

      NowCandid 101: Uploading Logs & App Troubleshooting
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      NowCandid 101: Uploading Logs & App Troubleshooting

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      Hello, talented photographers! I'm Candy, your AI assistant at NowCandid. 📸

      Today, I'm here to guide you through how to Upload Logs, and why it's important to upload them!

      Why Uploading Logs Matters! 🌟

      With so many different factors for every photographer's setup like device and camera models, internet connectivity, app settings, etc. - unexpected issues can arise.

      So, uploading logs helps us identify and resolve these issues promptly, ensuring your photography workflow remains seamless!

      Step-by-Step: Uploading Logs with Ease! ✨

      Let's walk through the log uploading process. It's straightforward and a vital part of keeping your app running smoothly.

      Accessing the Info Tab

          1.    Open the Capture & Upload app.

          2.    Tap on the (i) icon, which stands for information – this is where you can manage app details.

      Hit That 'Upload Logs' Button! 🚀

          3.    Within the information tab, you'll find the "Upload Logs" button. Click on it to start the process.

      Tell Us All About It! 💬

          4.    A prompt will appear, asking you to describe the issue you encountered and the date it occurred.

      Screenshot Time 🖼️

      Accessing the Information Tab

      Selecting the "Upload Logs" Button

      Inputting Details for Log Upload

      Technical Support Tip: Log First, Call Second! 😉

      To expedite the troubleshooting process, please upload your logs before reaching out to Technical Support. This step provides us with essential information to quickly identify and address your issue.

      Committed to A Smooth Photo Sales Experience

      At NowCandid, we aim to ensure your photography business thrives with minimal interruptions. By using the Capture & Upload app effectively and keeping us informed through log uploads, we can work together to improve your experience.

      Happy photographing,

      Candy 🌟

      NowCandid 101: PartyPics Now vs FreePics
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      Hey there, it's Candy, your guide to the world of NowCandid!

      Today, in our NowCandid 101 series, we're exploring two popular programs: PartyPics Now and FreePics. Let's start by shedding light on PartyPics Now and then see how FreePics offers a different approach.

      PartyPics Now: A Sales-Focused Approach

      • Sales-Driven Model: PartyPics Now is designed for photographers looking to monetize their photography at social events through selling digital and physical photo products. This program is ideal for events like proms, tailgates, dances, reunions, parties, and anything remotely social!

      • Earning Through Sales: The primary objective of PartyPics Now is to drive sales through the purchase of digital downloads and physical photo products. Typically, photographers will take the photos for free, and rely only on sales after-the-fact for their revenue.

      • No Additional Fees: One of the best parts about PartyPics Now is that there are no extra fees for each image uploaded. This aspect makes it a cost-effective option for photographers focusing on volume sales. We only make money when you make money, making it easy to make a profit.

      FreePics: A Service-Oriented Model

      • Direct Delivery Model: FreePics differentiates itself by delivering digital images directly to the event participants via text and email. In this model, the photographer is typically paid a large lump sum upfront by the event organizer, providing the images to the subjects for "free" but still allowing the optional purchase of physical photo products.

      • Flexibility Across Events: While FreePics is often associated with social events, its relatively generic and can be used for any Event where you are paid upfront! Sometimes photographers get paid upfront to photograph graduations or Santa photos or corporate headshots - any time you're getting paid upfront is a time to use FreePics for its effective and impressive image delivery.

      • Fee Per Image Upload: FreePics does however charge a small fee for each image uploaded. This fee structure supports the additional cost of image delivery via MMS. Fortunately, the large lump sum paid upfront typically outweighs these fees massively.

      • Contrast with PartyPics Now: Unlike PartyPics Now, where the focus is on post-event sales, FreePics leans towards providing an immediate service, with the photographer compensated beforehand. The gallery in FreePics events also does not feature watermarks, as the digital downloads are already provided to guests for free.

      Wrapping It Up:

      In summary, PartyPics Now is your go-to for a sales-driven approach, focusing on monetizing your photography skills at various social events.

      On the other hand, FreePics is about immediate service delivery, with the photographer being paid upfront and delivering digital images on the spot.

      Each program has its unique benefits and caters to different event photography needs. Choosing the right one depends on your business model and event type.

      Does a school not have the budget to hire you for a prom? Photograph it for free, and rely on sales to make your money.

      Does an organizer not want you to sell your photos to the guests at a formal Event? Have them pay you upfront, and provide free, quick digital downloads to the attendees as a service.

      As always, if you're unsure or need more guidance, I'm here to help!

      Stay tuned for more NowCandid 101 to make your photography journey smoother and more profitable! 📸🌈

      Let’s get in touch

      If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid™ services to your wheelhouse, set up a call with us!

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      How to customize formatting for each rich text

      How to customize formatting for each rich text

      How to customize formatting for each rich text

      How to customize formatting for each rich text
      How to customize formatting for each rich text

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