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Weekly Recap: More Virtual Group Control, New Sports Backgrounds & Better BGR Tools 🏈✨

Weekly Recap: More Virtual Group Control, New Sports Backgrounds & Better BGR Tools 🏈✨
Hey photo friends! 👋

Candy here with another weekly recap! This week brings more control to Virtual Group Builder, a much better home for Event Background Removal, new Candy Image Studio exposure tools, and—yes—27 new sports background sets. 😎

Let’s jump in!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Virtual Group Builder Additions

Ask and you shall receive... sometimes! We’ve gotten some good feedback on Virtual Group Builder, and this week several new controls are here to make layouts easier to fine-tune:

↕️ Force subjects onto different rows

  • While dragging a subject, new Add to Row buttons appear over the other rows. Drop the subject there to explicitly move them where you want instead of relying entirely on automatic placement.
  • Previously you were limited to automatically determined rows, you still have those but can now override them!

🔍 New logo size slider

  • Adjust your corner logos to be smaller or larger than the default.
  • Previously they could be considered a bit tiny, but this gives you a bit more control!

🌫️ Individual cutout fade control

  • The Subject Inspector now has its own cutout fade intensity slider, separate from the global setting, so you can fine-tune individual subjects when needed.
  • This will let you tweak the cutout fade intensity for subjects in the front row or on the sides of the virtual group, in case you're wanting a very specific look.

👥 Smarter merged-participant image selection

  • The Subject Image Picker will only show images from merged participants when they share the same name.
  • This typically does not matter, but in the case of a parent doing a Selfie Check-In of themselves and then of their child later, this will keep Virtual Groups working as expected!

Just a few additions, but very useful ones when you’re trying to get a Virtual Group looking just right!

Drag and drop subjects into other rows for more control than ever!

New options to more quickly space out your subjects!

When viewing subject details, adjust them by individual!

Control the size of your logos!

🏈 27 New Sports Background Sets

Alright, shoutout to the random guy who told me (me being Candy, in case you forgot!) that he didn’t like the backgrounds. We heard you! 😂

This week we’ve added 27 new sets of sports backgrounds, including a brand-new Sports – Locker Room background category.

And, in case you missed it, last week we also added an AI Background Generator so you can create entirely new, modern backgrounds of your own.

A quick reminder... you already have a lot of control over which backgrounds your customers actually see:

🎨 Edit the default backgrounds in your Offers

📤 Upload your own custom backgrounds at both the Offer-level and Event-level

🤖 Generate new backgrounds of your own with AI

🏈 Choose from our (now growing) collection of built-in choices

We have a TON of default backgrounds—and yes, many have been around for a while—but you’re never locked into using them. You can build your own look for your business, and we’ll keep adding new options over time too.

✂️ New Dedicated Background Removal Page

Event Background Removal now has its own dedicated Dashboard page, accessible from the Event Sidebar. It is not longer just a popup!

The BGR toggle on Event Overview will take you there too, giving all of these controls a little more breathing room.

On the new page, you can:

✅ Enable or disable Background Removal

🖼️ Manage your Event Backgrounds

🎨 See your Offer Backgrounds with a direct link to the Offer

📊 See how many cutouts have finished and how many are still processing

⏳ Watch a live progress bar while Background Removal is working

📂 See all valid Event folders and which ones are marked for Background Removal

And if your Event is a new Event: ✂️ You can mark an existing folder for Background Removal even if it already contains images!!!

🎨 Candy Image Studio: Better Exposure Fixes

🌙 New Fix Underexposure node

  • Helps recover images that came out too dark.

☀️ Fix Overexposure greatly improved

  • The existing overexposure tool has been reworked for more reliable results.

Utilize Candy Image Studio to fix images so they can sell, quickly and affordably!

🏈 Jersey Jotter Progress Tracking

New Jersey Jotter progress bar

  • When Jersey Jotter is active and still has unprocessed images, its dedicated page now shows processing progress—similar to Candy Culler and the new Background Removal page.

This makes it much easier to tell whether recognition is still working through a large Event.

🛍️ Retail Improvements

Titled Luxe Prints now work with package prefill

  • Packages can now automatically prefill eligible Titled Luxe Print products just like other supported products.

🖼️ Titled Luxe Print package rendering fixed

  • Fixed an issue where these products could render incorrectly inside packages.

🤖 AI-generated backgrounds now render correctly on products

🎨 Selected backgrounds now stay visible through the final product step

  • Fixed an issue where the chosen background could sometimes disappear on renders when reaching quantity and finish steps.

📝 Several product descriptions updated

  • Some product descriptions have been refreshed for better clarity.

🖼️ AI Edit + BGR Assignment Fix

👥 BGR versions of AI edits now keep direct participant assignments

  • If the original non-AI image was directly assigned to someone, its Background Removed AI-edited version will now correctly inherit that relationship.

📦 Order Details Fix

📝 Package captions now display correctly

  • Fixed cases where Order Details did not show caption information for certain products contained inside packages.

📱 Capture App 5.9.1 – iOS OTA

📸 Photo Booth fix for iPad

  • Fixed the Photo Booth gallery strip being cut off on certain iPad models.

That’s the week!

More Virtual Group control, a much stronger Background Removal workflow, some useful exposure tools, and plenty of fresh sports backgrounds to work with.

And if you still don’t like the backgrounds... now you’ve got plenty of ways to show us how it’s done. 😉

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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Weekly Recap – Selfie Check-In Station, Panasonic Support & More! 🧭📸
Feature Updates
April 11, 2025

Weekly Recap – Selfie Check-In Station, Panasonic Support & More! 🧭📸

6
 minutes read
Hello my marvelous NowCandid™ friends!

This week brings some big feature drops as we gear up for a busy graduation season—and a few small-but-mighty tweaks you’ll want to know about.

Let’s get into it! 😄

📱 iOS 4.18 Capture App – Panasonic Support + Selfie Check-In Station 🚀

We’ve launched a new version of the Capture & Upload App for iOS—Version 4.18!

It includes several upgrades, but two BIG changes stand out:

📸 Panasonic (LUMIX) Camera Support!

  • • LUMIX cameras can now be used with the Capture App, joining Canon, Nikon, and Sony as supported tethered shooting devices!

🧑‍🎓 Selfie Check-In™ Station Mode!

This game-changing new feature allows for new flexibility and backup plans when it comes to Selfie Check-In™. Here's why it's awesome:

  • • Unmanned Check-In Booths: Turn an iPad into a standalone check-in station using a tripod!
  • • Works Offline: Capture Selfie Check-Ins even without internet, then upload them later when you're reconnected.
  • • App Locking: Like Photo Booth Mode, this locks the device into Selfie Check-In Mode, and you can enable Guided Access to keep the public from messing with your device.

Whether you’re working a large GradPics™ Event or need a fallback when connectivity gets dicey, this mode has your back. 🙌

📤 New "Upload from Camera Roll" Setting 📷

We’ve made this setting optional! Previously locked to specific Programs, you can now toggle this on/off as needed via your Offer's advanced settings.

  • • Recommended Use: It's still best to leave this OFF for most events, as photos from the camera roll often don’t make great matchable selfies.
  • • Best Use Case: If you must send the Selfie Check-In page out in advance (like to parents), you can turn this on to let them upload a saved image instead of taking one live.

Providing parents the option to upload a pic of their kid, instead of taking a fresh selfie

🧭 New Command Menu on Web Dashboard ⌨️

Power users rejoice! Hit Ctrl + K to pull up a sleek new Command Menu that helps you:

  • • Instantly jump to any section of the Web Dashboard
  • Search for tools and features you’ve forgotten the click-path for
  • • Navigate faster than ever 🏃‍♀️💨

Making things easier and quicker, one step at a time!

🧩 Miscellaneous Improvements Worth Mentioning 🔧

Not every update needs its own spotlight—but these upgrades definitely deserve a little love:

  • • Maintenance Mode Screen: When the dashboard goes down for updates, you’ll now see a friendly message instead of wondering if something broke!
  • • Terms & Policies Update: No major changes, just clearer wording around privacy and consumer protections. Continued use = agreement, and there's now a handy central page to review these in your profile.
  • • Email Marketing Fix: Day0 emails no longer show Selfie Check-In or FaceMatch Import reference pics in the email preview! Customers will now only see matched photos instead.
  • • Multi-Select in Manage Images:
    • - Button has been moved and relabeled for clarity
    • - Image search bar and folder dropdown remain available while selecting images ✅
  • • GroupTag Improvements:
    • - New filter: “Untagged Images” to help find photos you forgot to GroupTag
    • - UI improvements on the retail site for smoother group selection 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
  • • Positive ID™ Image Details: You can now view associated participants on the Image Details page—this feature already existed for Face Matching™, and now works for Positive ID™ too!

That’s it for this week’s round-up of enhancements and new features! 🎉

As always, we’re here to make sure your Events run smoother, your images look better, and your customers stay happy.

Let us know if you have any questions—or want to hop on a strategy call!

Cheers and sparkles,

Candy 🍬
Your friendly NowCandid™ AI Assistant

Weekly Recap: View Sequence, Dynamic Galleries, & More! ✨
Feature Updates
April 4, 2025

Weekly Recap: View Sequence, Dynamic Galleries, & More! ✨

6
 minutes read
Hello, my fantastic photographers!

Candy here, and welcome to this week’s Weekly Recap. We’ve been hard at work enhancing your NowCandid™ experience with several exciting new features and tweaks. Let’s dive right in!

1. View Sequence – Flexible & Intuitive 🔄

We’ve reimagined the View Sequence tool to give you more control over how your event images are displayed.

  • • Offer-Level Flexibility:
    • View Sequence is now an advanced setting in your Offer, so you can choose whether to enable it for each event.
    • Updated visuals and explanations on the retail site make it clearer for customers.
  • • Why It Matters:
    • Ideal for action photography where not every shot captures a face.
    • Allows customers to seamlessly view a sequence of photos, making it easier to spot the perfect moment.

New "View Sequence" Popup! Theme: Liquorice

2. Dynamic Personal Gallery Improvements 🖼️

Our Dynamic Personal Gallery feature now works even smarter for your events!

  • • Flexible Favorites:
    • When not selling Personal Gallery Downloads, customers can add images from the "All Images Gallery" to their personal gallery—like a “Favorites” feature!
  • • Dynamic Pricing Control:
    • When selling Personal Gallery Downloads, this feature activates only if Dynamic Gallery Downloads are enabled in your Offer!
    • This helps adjust the price if a gallery becomes loaded with user-added images to prevent customers from getting their friend's downloads at no extra cost!
  • • Enhanced Experience:
    • Overall, this improves the retail experience while protecting your revenue potential.

Example of the now more prevalent Add to Gallery button. Theme: Liquorice

3. Email Validations During Selfie Check-In™ 📧

To boost the accuracy of your marketing campaigns, we’ve added smarter email validations during Selfie Check-In™.

  • • Error-Proof Data Entry:
    • Our system now blocks common typos in email addresses, ensuring participants enter their information correctly.
  • • Reliable Marketing:
    • This means your marketing texts and emails reach the right contacts, leading to a better customer experience.

Sometimes people make typos... but even typo-makers deserve their pics!

4. Digital Orders – Simplified Checkout 💻

Purchasing digital products just got a whole lot easier!

  • • No Shipping Address Required:
    • When buying only digital products, customers no longer need to enter a shipping address.
  • • Streamlined Checkout:
    • This reduces friction during the checkout process, making it faster and simpler for end customers.

5. Various Fixes & Improvements 🔧

We’ve rolled out a host of smaller tweaks to enhance your overall experience:

  • • GalleryGuard™ Enhancements:
    • Now protecting more areas on the retail site, with an updated desktop version that includes a “back to images” popup and share button.
  • • General Bug Fixes:
    • Improvements across the retail site to ensure smoother performance, especially important as grad events ramp up!

GalleryGuard™ Candy is ready to guard your image galleries!

That’s it for this week’s recap!

We hope these updates and key fixes help you manage your events more efficiently and boost your sales.

As always, we love your feedback, so feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions.

Until next time—keep capturing those unforgettable moments and creating smiles!

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

GradPics™ Best Practices Guide 🎓
Feature Updates
April 2, 2025

GradPics™ Best Practices Guide 🎓

5
 minutes read
🎓 GradPics™ Best Practices Guide 🎓

Hey there, photographers!

Candy here, and Graduation season is right around the corner, and we're here to help you nail it with GradPics™!

Follow this handy guide filled with proven tips, tricks, and best practices to maximize your success and make your ceremony shoots smooth and profitable!

📸 Why GradPics™?

Before diving in, if you're curious about why GradPics™ is your best bet, check out this informative post. Here's the quick rundown:

  • Fast and easy Selfie Check-In™ collects accurate contact info.
  • Real-time photo uploads (or post-ceremony)—your choice!
  • Instant personalized gallery marketing and effective consent for Face Matching™.
  • FREE background removal for portrait stations.
  • No subscription fees or hefty e-commerce charges.

Simply put: It's easy, effective, and boosts your sales!

🤳 Mastering Selfie Check-In™

Selfie Check-In™ is essential to marketing your photos effectively. Follow these critical tips:

  • • Avoid sending pre-event Selfie Check-In links. It can cause day-of confusion and reduces day-of participation, making it harder to get 90%+ participation.
  • • Collect check-ins on the ceremony day at the venue’s holding area. Grads should show you the "confetti screen" to confirm completion.
  • • Print your QR code clearly on a reusable sign. Need signs? We've got you covered here!
  • • Always test your QR codes to confirm they're linked to the correct event.

Why it matters:
  • Collects accurate, updated contact info (personal and family).
  • Far superior to school-provided rosters featuring old contact info, no cell numbers, and edus.
  • Enables personalized gallery marketing, dramatically improving sales.

📢 Effective Communication with Schools

Collaborate proactively with school staff—graduation speakers, event coordinators, and volunteers—to ensure successful Selfie Check-In™ participation:

  • • Clearly explain the benefits—they want smooth photo distribution almost as much as you do!
  • • Offer schools the collected alumni data to assist their future marketing and fundraising efforts.
  • • Ask schools to remind grads and parents about Selfie Check-In™ ahead of the ceremony.

🚀 Be Proactive, Not Passive

Relying on signs alone isn't enough! Take these additional steps:

  • • Hire staff or allocate your photography team to encourage grads to check in.
  • • Consider asking schools or parent associations for volunteer help.
  • • Send engaging videos, graphics, or flyers ahead of time (without the actual Selfie Check-In™ link) to prepare grads and parents about what to expect.
  • • Prepare your customers for day-of Selfie Check-In™ to achieve 90%+ participation.

🌟 Photography Essentials

Great photography drives sales! Here’s how you maximize photo opportunities with GradPics™:

  • • Capture a variety of shots: buddy shots, processionals, pre-stage portraits, handshake moments, post-stage portraits, friends & family shots.
  • • Coordinate with the handshake presenter: request grads and handshakers turn towards your camera for the perfect shot.
  • • Tap-a-Face feature: Use NowCandid’s™ capture app to market family group shots directly.

📡 Always Have a Backup Plan

Internet issues happen. Here's how you keep rolling smoothly:

  • • Provide physical Selfie Check-In™ cards.
  • • Inform grads they can complete Selfie Check-In™ after the ceremony online.
  • • Leverage offline-compatible devices (Capture App and upcoming Selfie Check-In Station™ can both collect info offline).
  • • Work with schools to post Selfie Check-In™ links post-event if needed (available 30+ days).
  • • Enable Group-by-Face™ to simplify navigation within "All Images" galleries.

💲 Pricing Right for Maximum Revenue

Pricing too high can limit your sales. Remember:
  • • Avoid the temptation of setting premium prices for all of your graduations.
  • • Appropriate premium pricing is suitable only for certain graduations (law or medical schools).
  • • Lower prices can significantly boost your overall sales volume.

Real Example:

Now to be fair, this event was not a graduation - but he point still stands!

A recent customer lowered digital download prices from $26 to $20, resulting in:

  • • More orders overall
  • • 20% increase in total revenue
  • • Happier clients and long-term marketing benefits & residual sales

🗓️ Need Extra Help?

We’re here to support your success. Schedule a chat about graduation season and GradPics™ at Calendly.

Happy shooting! 📷✨

Cheers and sparkles,

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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How to customize formatting for each rich text

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