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Weekly Recap: Faster Face Matching, Virtual Group Tweaks & Reporting Upgrades ⚡📸

Weekly Recap: Faster Face Matching, Virtual Group Tweaks & Reporting Upgrades ⚡📸
Hey photo friends! 👋


This week’s update is all about keeping up with the busiest season yet. We saw an enormous wave of images come through recently — more than ever — and Face Matching delays got much longer than we want them to be.

So, we’ve been making improvements accordingly. 💪

⚡ Face Matching Speed Improvements

🚀 Face Matching performance upgrades are in progress! We’re implementing changes that should help speed up Face Matching by up to 10× faster in some cases.

These improvements are especially important during high-volume stretches like graduation season, when thousands upon thousands of images are coming in at once. The goal is simple: help matched galleries become available faster, even when volume spikes.

📊 Reporting Upgrades

📈 Sales Report now supports up to 15,000 orders

  • The Sales Report list and Excel download can now include up to 15k orders at once. Previously, the limit was 1k.

💵 Sales Report download now includes eFee and COGs

  • The Excel export now includes eFee and COGs for each order, giving you more detailed financial visibility.

📦 Products Report sorting fixed

  • Column sorting now works correctly on the Products Report.

🏷️ Event Tags report filter fixed

  • Fixed an issue where the Event Tags filter could set the end date based on the newest Event end date instead of today, potentially missing newer report data.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Virtual Group Builder Improvements

📝 New Text Vertical Position slider

  • You can now adjust the vertical position of subject names in Virtual Group Builder.

🎯 Logo positioning fix

  • Fixed logos being off by a few pixels in Virtual Group Builder.

🧭 Edit redirect fix

  • Fixed an issue where editing a Virtual Group could sometimes send you back to Home.

🖼️ Dashboard Image Management Updates

🔢 Manage Images now shows total image count

  • At the top of the Manage Images page, you’ll now see how many images are included in your current search/filter results.

🏷️ PhotoTag duplicate prevention improved

  • PhotoTag creation now better prevents duplicates caused by extra empty space at the end of the PhotoTag name.

🛍️ Retail Improvements

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 PhotoTag group images appear first

  • When a participant is associated with a PhotoTag, group images tied to that same PhotoTag will now appear before general group images with no PhotoTag.

⬇️ Receipt download button cleanup

  • The Download All Images button is now hidden if the order does not include any downloads to reduce confusion.

Web Receipt Download Page processing message fixed

  • If a customer clicks the receipt download link before the order is fully loaded by the lab, the page will correctly say the order is still processing.

✂️ Z-crop product cropping improved

  • When cropping a z-cropped image during product configuration, retail now uses the z-cropped version directly instead of jumping back to the full original image.

🖼️ “Matte” clarified to “Standard”

  • Most products now use "Standard" instead of "Matte" for clearer wording. Luxe Prints and Premium Print are excluded from this change as their new soft-touch coating is more "matte" than our standard coating!

That’s the week!

Faster Face Matching is the big focus right now, and these reporting, Virtual Group, Dashboard, and retail updates should help keep things clearer and more manageable going forward for photographers as well!

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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School’s Out, Earnings In: A Teacher's GradPics Now Success
Success Stories
July 27, 2023

School’s Out, Earnings In: A Teacher's GradPics Now Success

8
 minutes read
Time for another success story!

For years, graduation photography has played a crucial role in capturing the pivotal moments of grads. Not only are these professional photos treasured keepsakes, but they also present substantial income opportunities for photographers.

Consider the story of Eric, a high school photography teacher and small business owner. Eric ventured into a graduation event with NowCandid's platform, intending to photograph around 500 graduates. He had modest expectations, aiming to generate about $1,200 in sales. What unfolded next, however, far exceeded even his most optimistic projections.

In his very first event using NowCandid, the earnings soared past expectations!

Almost reaching an astounding $12,000 within only seven days after the event. Such a windfall was not only a personal victory for the teacher but also a testament to NowCandid's potential to transform event photography. So far (as of publishing this article), the event has reached well over $15,000. A far cry from his initially predicted $1,200.

 

Sharing his success in an email to his onboarding trainer, Darwin Drake, the photography teacher expressed his profound amazement and gratitude. "I am at $6,700 earned and counting. I am beyond speechless. I'm gobsmacked. I'm overjoyed. I am stunned." (And that reaction was before it hit $12,000 days later!)

 

A friends & family photo taken after the ceremony by Eric & his photographers.

But the triumph of this story goes beyond the impressive earnings.

As a teacher, Eric was able to bring his students onboard, teaching them practical skills while also providing them with paid experience. "I hired 4 of my current and former photography students for this event," he wrote, "and as a teacher and small business owner I am so profoundly thankful to be able to teach them and pay them."

 

Eric and some students in Berlin at a graffiti workshop just days after their successful graduation ceremony.

This story highlights the remarkable opportunities that NowCandid can bring to photographers and entrepreneurs.

Whether you're a professional photographer seeking to maximize your earnings, a teacher nurturing the next generation of photographers, or a business owner eager to expand your reach, NowCandid can provide the platform and tools you need to achieve your goals.

In event photography, moments become memories, and for a photographer: memories are opportunities!

Eric's experience shows, that with the right tools and workflow, it is more possible (and easier!) than ever before to monetize your photography in a big way.

Enjoy some more photos taken by Eric & his photographers below!

NowCandid Event Settings & Numbers Breakdown

Program: GradPics Now

Workflow: Selfie Check-In

Price Level: Price Level 8

Title Option: Simple Text Title

Staff: 4 Photographers (doing some Selfie Check-In work as well) and 1 Dedicated Selfie Check-In Attendant

Participants: 500+ Participants via Selfie Check-In

Total Images Taken: 1944

Picture Perfect Marketing: Tips to Promote Your Photo Business
Photography Tips
July 26, 2023

Picture Perfect Marketing: Tips to Promote Your Photo Business

6
 minutes read
As Don Draper (a character from "Mad Men") once said, "Success comes from standing out, not fitting in."

In the competitive world of photography, marketing your photo business to stand out is just as important for your business as capturing stunning images. In this blog post, we'll share some tips to help you market your business effectively and stand out from the crowd. And with a little help from NowCandid, making your brand stand out can be even easier.

1. Identify Your Target Audience:


To effectively market your photo business, it's crucial to first identify your target audience. Are you specializing in weddings, graduations, corporate events, parties, or headshots? Once you know your niche, you can tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right clients.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence:


Your website and social media profiles are essential tools for showcasing your work and connecting with potential clients. Ensure your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines. Update your social media platforms regularly with captivating images, behind-the-scenes content, and engaging stories that will get the attention of potential customers and get them reaching out to you for future events.

3. Utilize NowCandid's White-Label Services:

NowCandid is completely white-label by default and focuses on features that put your branding front and center. From backprinting your business info on photo prints to providing a library of Canva templates for your marketing materials, NowCandid helps you maintain a consistent brand image without stealing the spotlight.

4. Collaborate with Local Businesses and Vendors:


Partner with local businesses and vendors to cross-promote each other's services. This can include collaborating with event planners, florists, and catering companies, or exchanging promotional materials with complementary businesses.

5. Offer QuicPics Events for Promotion:


Hosting a QuicPics event for free is an excellent way to showcase your talents and promote your business. The marketing texts for QuicPics include your business name and contact info, providing a direct line of communication between you and potential clients.

6. Attend Networking Events and Trade Shows:


Networking is key to building relationships and finding new clients. Attend local events, trade shows, and photography conferences to connect with industry professionals and potential customers.

7. Encourage Referrals and Testimonials:


Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. Encourage satisfied clients to refer friends and family, and ask them to write testimonials for your website or review platforms. As the Ghostbusters famously said, "Who you gonna call?" Make sure your clients are calling you for their photography needs!

Marketing your photo business is essential for growth and success.

By identifying your target audience, building a strong online presence, and utilizing tools like NowCandid's white-label services, you can effectively promote your brand and stand out in the competitive photography industry. We hope these tips help you make your photo business truly picture-perfect!

NowCandid + Apple Pay! 🎉
Feature Updates
July 25, 2023

NowCandid + Apple Pay! 🎉

2
 minutes read
Hey, Candy here! Let’s dive into some exciting news!

Speedy Transactions ⚡

Remember the times we've talked about the power of quick and impulse purchases in boosting sales? Well, it just got a whole lot better. NowCandid now supports Apple Pay, paving the way for seamless and swift transactions!

Say Goodbye to Cart Abandonment 🛒

A smooth and easy checkout process:

  • • Reduces cart abandonment
  • • Encourages impulse purchases
  • • Increases overall sales

With Apple Pay, checking out is as easy as it gets!

Keeping It Professional 📊

Just as you've come to expect from NowCandid, this new update is fully white-label.

  • • Your business name will appear in the transaction details in their Apple Wallet
  • • Your business name will show up on the customer's credit card statement

What’s Next? 🚀

We’re committed to enhancing your business and making transactions even more effortless. Our next task? Integrating Venmo into NowCandid's checkout process.

We’re excited to help you take your photography business to the next level - stay tuned for more updates & improvements!

- 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.

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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