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Weekly Recap: Face Matching Got 28× Faster, Virtual Group Builder Upgrades & RCS Marketing Texts ⚡📸

Weekly Recap: Face Matching Got 28× Faster, Virtual Group Builder Upgrades & RCS Marketing Texts ⚡📸
Hey photo friends! 👋


Candy here with a big follow-up from last week: we predicted our Face Matching improvements could make things up to 10× faster... and this past weekend, Face Matching ended up running 28× faster. 🎉

That is well above what we expected, and it came at a perfect time as image volume continues to hit new highs. We’re going to keep making improvements so NowCandid can better handle those big peak-season spikes.

We’re also improving parts of our retail support process, and later this month, we’ll be sending surveys to select end customers to learn more about their retail site and shopping experience. The goal is simple: keep improving the customer journey and help you get the most sales possible.

Now, let’s jump into what changed this week!

⚡ Face Matching Follow-Up: 28× Faster

🚀 Face Matching improvements performed even better than projected

  • Last week, we mentioned updates that could make Face Matching up to 10× faster. This past weekend, those improvements delivered around 28× faster performance.

📈 Built for peak volume

  • With more images coming in than ever, this speed improvement helps keep galleries moving during high-volume stretches like graduation season.

🛠️ More efficiency improvements are still coming

  • We’re continuing to tune systems behind the scenes so large event volume stays more manageable.

📣 Marketing Texts Now Support RCS

💬 Marketing texts now use RCS when available

  • All marketing texts, including QuicPics image texts, now send through RCS when supported, with SMS/MMS fallback for numbers that don’t support RCS.

Cleaner, more recognizable messages

  • Instead of appearing as a random phone number, supported messages can show as coming from QuicPics with a branded-style camera icon. This makes the text feel more familiar and easier for customers to recognize.

🛡️ Better deliverability potential

  • With mobile platforms continuing to add stronger spam filtering — including spam folders on iPhones — RCS gives our messages a better chance of feeling legitimate and avoiding the “unknown number” problem that can hurt visibility.

📱 Still works for everyone

  • If a customer’s phone or carrier doesn’t support RCS, the message will still fall back to normal SMS/MMS automatically.

Note: Client Outreach still sends through regular phone numbers for now. This RCS update applies to event marketing texts, 2FA in the Dashboard, the Find Me feature on quic.pics, and QuicPics image messages.

Oooooo shiny! Much more eye-catching than a simple phone number.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Virtual Group Builder Improvements

Virtual Group Builder got several upgrades this week:

Participant importing is much faster

  • Large imports should feel quicker and more responsive.

👨‍👩‍👧 Merged siblings now import properly

  • If siblings were merged through identical parent contact info, Virtual Group Builder will now pull them in correctly.

📂 New Subjects pane collapse button

  • Collapse the Subjects pane to make the preview area bigger. You can also toggle it with Shift + S.

🖼️ New cutout bottom fade slider

  • Adjust how strongly subject cutouts fade at the bottom.

🌫️ “Falloff Intensity” renamed to “Bottom Vignette”

  • Clearer wording for what the setting actually controls.

🖥️ Dashboard Improvements

🧰 More Tools moved out of the popup on Manage Images

  • Manage Images tools are now more visible instead of tucked away.

🗂️ Edit Folder is always visible

  • The Edit Folder button is now easier to find on Manage Images.

📬 New marketing column on Participant List

  • Quickly see how much marketing a participant has received.

👁️ Participant Details groups invisible images at the end

  • Makes the page easier to scan.

🎨 One Art Style node per edit

  • Candy Image Studio and Auto Editor now only allow one Art Style node per edit. This helps avoid confusion when selecting conflicting styles like Anime, Chibi, Action Figure, and Bobblehead together.

📈 Marketing History chart improved for new Events

  • New Events should no longer show one giant bar on the first day.

🏷️ Event Tags improvements

  • Hidden Event Tags are now hidden by default, and event search when adding Events to a tag is more flexible.

💰 Auto Editor total cost display fixed

  • The displayed total cost is now correct. Customers were charged correctly before; only the UI number was off.

🔢 Participant List now shows key report snapshots

  • You can now quickly see:
    • Images Per Participant
    • Sales Per Participant
    • % Participants Ordered

📱 Capture App 5.6.4

iOS & Android OTA update — Monday, June 1

🧍 Registered face boxes now show in the strip

  • When entering a shooting mode, existing images in the strip can show registered face boxes.

🔄 Restore Session fixes

  • Fixed Restore Session not loading saved registered participants for Positive ID Events or Face Matching Roster Check-In.

Face Matching Roster Check-In fix

  • Fixed an edge case where a registration could fail to save to an image.

📱 Android tablet UI fixes

  • Selfie Check-In Station camera UI fixed in vertical orientation
  • Image gallery name text no longer overflows in vertical orientation

That’s the week!

The big wins are definitely RCS marketing and Face Matching coming in 28× faster, but the Virtual Group Builder and Dashboard changes should make things easier during busy season too.

We’ll keep improving speed, support, and the retail experience as we go!

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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7 Strategies to Grow Your Photography Business with NowCandid 🚀

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First off, congratulations on starting your photography business! Now, it's time to take the next steps and grow it.

In this post, we'll offer strategic advice to help you effectively expand your photography business with a particular focus on building a strong team, proactive networking, and optimizing your workflow with NowCandid.

1. Optimize Your Workflow ⚙️

Efficiency is the key to successful growth. Evaluate your existing workflow and identify opportunities to streamline processes, automate tasks, and apply time-saving solutions. NowCandid's comprehensive platform makes managing your photography business more efficient, allowing you to earn more, while working less.

2. Hire and Train a Team 👥

As your business expands, so should your team. Recruit talented photographers and support staff and invest in their training and development. With NowCandid, your team can concentrate on capturing amazing photos and providing top-tier customer service.

3. Network Proactively 🤝

Growing your business often requires extending your network to potential clients, partners, and collaborators. Engaging with your local chamber of commerce and demonstrating your photography system, like NowCandid, can lead to new bookings. Once you've established your presence at events, organic growth will follow as attendees experience your photo system in action, promoting word-of-mouth marketing.

4. Identify New Opportunities with NowCandid 🔍

Diversification is a fundamental strategy for growth. NowCandid allows you to effortlessly branch out into new areas like sports, graduations, parties, holiday portraits, and corporate headshots. Using your existing equipment and familiar workflows, NowCandid facilitates the expansion of your business reach and profitability.

5. Leverage Social Media and Online Marketing 🌐

A robust online presence can showcase your portfolio, engage with potential clients, and generate leads. Utilize social media platforms, SEO, and email marketing to promote your services. NowCandid's white-label system ensures your brand remains the main focus in all your marketing efforts - we want you to grow your brand! Your success is our success.

6. Strengthen Your Brand 💪

Distinctive branding can set you apart from your competition and attract your ideal clients. Invest in professional branding elements such as a unique logo and a modern website. NowCandid's customizable Canva templates help also help you out as you start marketing NowCandid's phot systems as your own photo system! Not to mention it makes it easy to maintain a consistent brand image across some of your marketing materials.

7. Monitor Your Progress with NowCandid 📈

Track your business's growth using key performance indicators (KPIs) and set measurable goals. NowCandid provides detailed and transparent reports, helping you easily track crucial KPIs and sales by image folder. This allows you to assess the performance of each photographer at every event, and make informed decisions.

Expansion is an exciting phase for any business!

By strategically networking, building a strong team, and utilizing the power of NowCandid, you're well on your way to leading your photography business to new heights of success.

Summar Seminar 2023: 7 Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
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Summar Seminar 2023: 7 Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

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Want to get the most out of your photography business?

This is the opportunity you've been waiting for! Candid Color Systems (NowCandid's "parent company" you could say) puts on a Summer Seminar once a year, every year. It's a revolutionary chance to talk shop and network with other volume photographers from around the country, learn about what's new with NowCandid, hear about success stories of all kinds, see presentations from some expert guest speakers, and importantly - have fun! This experience has cultivated extreme growth for many of our partners.

Don’t miss the fun! Here are our top 7 things to do while in town!

1. Head to the beach! 

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Our hotel offers beach chair and umbrella service on this gorgeous stretch of sand!

2. Get a Water Taxi pass! 

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Hop on and off the water taxi’s or just cruise to see the city for the water. Pass fabulous homes and amazing boats on your way around the intra-coastal waterway!

3. Cruise Las Olas Blvd

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Our summer Seminar home is just minutes from the start of the famous Las Olas which is filled with shops, gallerias and restaurants. 

4. Take the River Walk!

4-2
This great Ft. Lauderdale walking area has parks, restaurants and plenty to do. Join a paddle board or segway tour from here to see the area! 

5. Rent a boat (or jet ski)!

5-2
For the ultimate flexibility you can rent or charter a boat from many places. And you don’t have to go far! Walk right out the back door of our seminar home and take a walk around the Bahia Mar marina.

6. Watch mega Yachts cruise by at the 15th Street Fisheries

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There is no better way to spend an evening! Have a cocktail and see amazing ships cruise by as the sun sets. 

7. Head to the everglades!

7-1
If you have more time, we suggest a trip to the everglades. If you have a car, you can go direct and skip the tour vans. Go early in case of an afternoon shower in the everglade afternoons. And make sure you get on an actual Airboat for the full experience!

Want to register for the Summer Seminar? Click below!

10 Perks of Choosing NowCandid for Your Photo Business!📸
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Hey there, fellow shutterbugs! 📷

It's Candy, your NowCandid guide, and I'm beyond excited to share some of the amazing perks that come with using NowCandid for your photography business. You know, it's not just about snapping those perfect moments, it's about the whole journey - from the click of the shutter to delivering a smile to your customers. So, let's delve into how NowCandid can add some extra ✨sparkle✨ to your photography sales experience!

1. Retail Customer Support

Relax and focus on capturing those perfect shots while we take care of customer support for you! From order issues to resubmissions, we've got it covered at no extra cost. Let us handle the details so you can do what you do best.

2. Transparent Margins

Take control of your earnings with NowCandid! We provide upfront clarity on your profit margins, and there's no billing to worry about. Enjoy simple accounting with weekly payouts directly to you.

3. Sales Tax Management

Don't fret about the sales tax; we've got it handled! We collect and pay sales tax on your behalf, keeping your financial affairs smooth and hassle-free.

4. Swift Order Fulfillment

Every order is fulfilled within two business days, often less! With our efficient processes, your customers never have to wait long for their cherished memories.

5. Profit from Shipping

In addition to your photography profits, you can also earn from shipping revenue. All orders are shipped directly to your customer right after they're made, ensuring quick and efficient delivery.

6. Fair and Honest Business Model

We're in this together! There are no startup fees, hidden charges, or subscriptions. We only make money when you do - that's our promise.

7. White-Label Service

With NowCandid, your brand takes center stage. From marketing campaigns to retail site design, your brand is at the forefront of everything we do.

8. Live Upload and Instant Marketing

Optimize your sales with our optional live upload Workflows and automated marketing campaigns. Sell on-site and provide instant gratification to your customers. Speed and convenience are the name of the game and a surefire way to increase your sales.

9. One-Stop Shop

We're not just a software company, we're also a photo lab! This integration makes us a comprehensive solution for all your customer support and photography needs.

10. Simple, Effective, Scalable

Built on 50+ years of industry experience, NowCandid is designed to be straightforward, efficient, and adaptable. And for those specific needs beyond NowCandid, our CORE software has you covered, letting you take your photography business to the next level.

And there you have it, my photography pals 📸

The top 10 ways NowCandid works behind the scenes to give you an unforgettable, hassle-free photography experience. I'm pretty sure these benefits sound as exciting to you as they do to me! So why wait? Join us on this remarkable journey and let's bring your photography business to new heights! Remember, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s make magic together with NowCandid!

Until next time, keep clicking and creating beautiful memories.

Ciao! 👋

- Candy

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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