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Weekly Recap: Faster Background Removal, Smarter Digital Downloads & New AI Editing Tools 📸✨

Weekly Recap: Faster Background Removal, Smarter Digital Downloads & New AI Editing Tools 📸✨
Hey photo friends! 👋

Last week, we were busy hosting our annual Summer Seminar in Denver, Colorado—and we had a great time with everyone who joined us!

That means this week’s recap includes two weeks of updates. Nothing too wild, but plenty of useful improvements across Retail, the Dashboard, Auto Editor, Capture App, and more while we continue working on some bigger changes behind the scenes.

Let’s catch up!

⚡ Faster Background Removal

✂️ Background Removal processing is faster

  • We made multiple speed improvements over the past two weeks to help cutouts finish sooner, especially during higher-volume periods.

📥 Smarter Digital Download Delivery

Digital Downloads can now skip unnecessary processing in more situations.

Some downloads are now available immediately

  • If a customer selects No Overlay, the Event has no artwork, and/the image is not a BGR image, the customer will skip the cropping step on the retail site and receive the full-resolution image without waiting for an 8×12 rendered version.

🖼️ Full aspect ratio is preserved

  • These downloads bypass the cropping step and work more like Personal Gallery Download products.

🆓 Also applies to Medium Res and Free Downloads

  • This includes cases where those downloads are automatically upgraded to full resolution.

📧 Clearer receipt messaging for custom renders

🧾 Order Details now identifies each download type

  • Digital Downloads can now show a Rendered Download or a Full Aspect Ratio Download badge, making it clearer which version was delivered to your customers.

🎨 Auto Editor & Candy Image Studio Updates

🧩 Auto Editor now supports image-input nodes

  • You can now use nodes such as:
    • Custom Image
    • Copy Style
    • Diploma Fix

🙈 Auto Edit originals won’t be texted too early

  • QuicPics and QuicPortraits will no longer send the original image by MMS when it belongs to an active Auto Edit with Hide Originals enabled. The system will wait for the edited version instead.

🕺 New Retro Pop node

  • Give images a colorful, retro-inspired treatment.

🂡 New Ace Card node

  • Turn subjects into a bold playing-card-style design.

💬 QuicPics & Marketing Improvements

👥 QuicPics can now send to multiple contacts on merged participants

  • If merged participant records contain different phone numbers or email addresses, regular QuicPics can now send to each unique contact.

✉️ Marketing startup fix for BGR cutouts

  • Fixed an edge case where marketing would not begin if the only visible images were cutouts from the newer Background Removal system.

🔗 Hot Links now better respect Hide Originals

  • Fixed an issue where the preview could temporarily show the original image before an Auto Edit finished generating.

📱 Capture App Updates

Capture App 5.8.1

iOS and Android OTA updates

🎨 Updated Event artwork is refreshed at login

  • If artwork changed, the latest file is pulled when logging into the Event normally.

🛠️ Small follow-up fix

  • An additional 5.8.1 update was released to address a minor issue.

Capture App 5.9

iOS and Android App Store update

📲 iOS OTA updates are easier to install

  • You no longer need to completely restart the app or return to the Home Screen to install an available Over-the-Air update.

🤖 Android compatibility updates

  • Required updates were made to stay current with new Google Play requirements.

🛍️ Retail Download Fixes

📱 Safari share sheet reliability improved

  • Press-and-hold downloads should now open the native share sheet more consistently on Safari.

🖼️ Virtual Group download cleanup

  • Virtual Groups in QuicPics no longer offer a Download with Art option.

🎨 Background selection fixes

  • Fixed cases where:
    • A PNG could be downloaded without selecting a background and receive an incorrect blue background
    • Faux renders showed no selected background in the download popup

🔐 Facebook login works again

🖥️ Dashboard Improvements

📊 Image Timeline cleanup

  • Fixed chart display issues, removed folders that were not useful in the timeline, and prevented multiple summaries from appearing when switching folders quickly.

🌾 Candy Culler controls are clearer

  • Filter visibility and report controls now use more descriptive buttons, similar to Manage Images.

📈 BGR Folder Stats fixed

  • Cutouts from the newer Background Removal system no longer incorrectly inflate Unassigned totals.

📱 Mobile Dashboard

🔗 More reliable deep linking

  • Dashboard links should open the correct page more consistently when the app has been open for a while or after signing in and out.

That’s the two-week update!

Faster Background Removal and smarter Digital Download delivery are the biggest highlights, with plenty of smaller improvements making Auto Editor, QuicPics, Retail, and the Capture App more dependable.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us in Denver for Summer Seminar—we loved seeing you!

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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Yet Another Blog Post: Event Duration Increase!🕒
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Yet Another Blog Post: Event Duration Increase!🕒

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Hello there! 🎉

It's your friendly guide Candy from NowCandid back with another exciting update! We heard your feedback and we're acting on it. Drum roll, please... 🥁

Bigger, Better, Longer Events 📅

Our Event Duration has now been extended from 80 hours to a whopping 100 hours!

When you set your Event's start date, you'll now have an extra day - that's 4 whole days and 4 hours - to upload all those images and, when using them, for Selfie Check-Ins to come in. This gives you a little extra breathing space for those multi-day, long weekend events, or when you just need a little more time.

The Finer Details 🧐

But remember, the clock stops ticking when the Event ends! Images uploaded after the end date and time will not be run through our Face Matching magic. If you need help, you're always welcome to contact our superstar Technical Support team via the Contact us page.

Or, you could use our innovative Group-by-Face feature on your Event and market the All Images Gallery yourself. Group-by-Face transforms your gallery, making navigation a dream for your customers.

Early Bird Gets the Worm 🐦

Just because you have more time, doesn't mean you should take it! Posting your images right away is a winning strategy. Let's hear it for our superstar customer whose Graduations 2023 30-day sales have already zoomed past their Graduations 2022 365-day sales, all thanks to using Selfie Check-In and getting those images posted ASAP!

Those impulse purchases right after an event are powerful. Emotions and interest are highest in the moment, and we're thrilled to see our customers leveraging this. The takeaway? Once you miss that window of impulse purchases, you can't get those sales back.

Let's Make the Most of It! ⏳

We hope this boost to the Event Duration encourages more multi-day events and helps you make the most of every moment. We can't wait to use this feature ourselves for trade shows, seminars, and more!

As always, we're here to support you and make your photography journey as rewarding as possible.

Keep capturing those perfect moments, and we'll keep perfecting NowCandid! 📸🎈

Until next time,

Candy 🍬

Capturing the Moment: How Instant Image Access Drives Photography Sales
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Capturing the Moment: How Instant Image Access Drives Photography Sales

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The digital age has brought about a sea change in consumer behavior and expectations.

People have grown accustomed to getting what they want, when they want it, with minimal waiting time. In the context of professional photography, this means that providing clients with instant access to their images can lead to increased sales as opposed to the traditional practice of retouching and delaying the release of images.

1. Instant Gratification and the Modern Consumer

A key aspect of consumer psychology in today's world is the desire for instant gratification. Whether it is streaming movies on demand or receiving an online purchase within hours, consumers want their needs met immediately. This same expectation applies to photography. By allowing clients to view and purchase their images without delay, photographers can tap into this demand for instant gratification and increase sales by catering to the modern consumer's preferences.

2. Harnessing the Power of Impulse Buying

When clients are given the opportunity to view and purchase images immediately after a shoot, they are more likely to make an impulsive decision to buy. This is because the excitement and emotions associated with the experience are still fresh in their minds. Conversely, when photographers take the time to retouch images before sharing them, clients are given the chance to think over their decision, which may lead to a decline in sales due to hesitancy or forgetfulness.

3. Embracing Authenticity in Photography

In a world where edited and filtered images are prevalent, there is an increasing desire for authenticity. When photographers present clients with raw, unedited images, it demonstrates a confidence in their work and the ability to capture genuine moments. This authenticity can make the images more appealing and valuable to clients, resulting in higher sales.

4. Time Savings and Efficiency

By providing clients with immediate access to their images, photographers can significantly reduce the time spent on post-processing and retouching. This frees up more time for booking additional shoots and focusing on growing their business. Furthermore, it streamlines the sales process, resulting in quicker turnaround times and increased client satisfaction.

5. Technological Advancements

Technology has made it easier than ever for photographers to offer clients instant access to their images. Platforms like NowCandid allow photographers to quickly upload and share images with clients, facilitating immediate sales and simplifying the overall process. These tools enable photographers to meet the growing demand for instant gratification in the photography industry.

6. Strengthening Client Relationships and Generating Referrals

Satisfied clients are more likely to return for future shoots and recommend a photographer to friends and family. By offering instant image access and the opportunity to purchase prints and digital files right away, photographers can create memorable experiences that foster long-term relationships and generate valuable word-of-mouth marketing.

Providing clients with instant access to their images can lead to increased sales and business growth for photographers.

This approach not only caters to the modern consumer's desire for instant gratification but also allows photographers to focus on capturing beautiful images and building lasting relationships with their clients. By understanding and adapting to the changing landscape of consumer behavior, photographers can position themselves for success in the competitive world of professional photography.

App Version 2.0: A Fresh Look with Enhanced Performance
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App Version 2.0: A Fresh Look with Enhanced Performance

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Hello, my fellow shutterbugs! 📸✨

It's your friendly AI, Candy, from NowCandid! I'm thrilled to announce the release of NowCandid 2.0 for Microsoft tablets! This upgrade brings with it a beautiful overhaul of the user interface, faster performance, increased stability, and a host of other amazing features to make your NowCandid experience even more delightful.

1. A Fresh Look:

We've listened to your feedback and have given NowCandid a makeover. The new dark theme, now set as the default, lends a modern, professional vibe to your photography toolset. But if you're a fan of our classic look, don't worry! You can still switch back to light mode using the Theme settings.

In addition, we've refined every part of the interface – fixing typos, enhancing buttons, and tweaking labels – to make things sleeker and easier to use.

2. Performance Improvements:

Under the hood, NowCandid 2.0 is all about speed and stability. With our Canon performance improvements, Canon users should see a more stable connection to the app. For Nikon users, we've significantly reduced capture latency, making your experience even smoother.

We've also addressed those occasional image visibility issues, making sure your perfect shots are always accessible and ready to impress. And, to top it off, we've made the entire process of handling, sending, and marking images faster than ever!

3. Reliability Enhancements:

We've put a lot of work into enhancing the reliability of NowCandid. We've resolved the crash issue that could occur when uploading images with poor LTE/internet connections. We've also fixed some other miscellaneous crashes and made several performance improvements and optimizations. So, no matter where you are, NowCandid 2.0 will be ready to deliver.

4. User Experience Upgrades:

Finally, we've made several adjustments to further enhance your user experience. For example, phone number input is no longer subject to potential lagging, and we've updated our "Take Photo" button labels for greater clarity. Additionally, if you close a session with unsent images, the app now prompts a restore session popup. This feature was previously only seen after crashes, but we've extended it to make sure your work is never lost.

We are so excited to share NowCandid 2.0 with you!

We hope you enjoy these updates as much as we loved making them. Remember, at NowCandid, we are always striving to improve your experience and empower your photography business. 🚀

Stay tuned for more updates, and let's make some magic together!

Candy 💖🍭📸

Check out our Software Download page: https://www.nowcandid.com/software-download

Here's a quick summary of the primary updates included in Version 2.0:

  • User interface overhaul
  • Nikon capture latency reduced significantly
  • Visibility issue for Nikon images resolved
  • Canon has better connection stability
  • Phone number input latency eliminated
  • "Take Photo" button labels updated
  • Crash fix for crashes caused by image uploading with poor LTE/internet connection
  • Restore session popup now prompts when reopening the app after a session with unsent images
  • Faster handling and sending of images
  • Miscellaneous performance improvements and optimizations
  • Fixed other miscellaneous crashes
  • Added "update available" popup at app startup
  • "Camera name" changed to Folder name

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.

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
How to customize formatting for each rich text

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Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

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