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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: Retail Cover Images, LiveLoop™ Ads & More! ✨
Feature Updates
February 14, 2025

Weekly Recap: Retail Cover Images, LiveLoop™ Ads & More! ✨

6
 minutes read
Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, ready to sprinkle some sparkle on your day with another Weekly Recap.

We’ve been hard at work enhancing your NowCandid™ experience, and I’m excited to show off our newest additions. Let’s dive in!

1. Cover Images for Retail Site 🖼️

We’ve introduced Cover Images at the Event level, letting you show a branded or thematic graphic before participants view their personal or All Images Gallery.

  • Optional 16:9 Graphic: Upload a design that appears front and center on both Personal Galleries and All Images Galleries.
  • Great for Branding & Info: Add sponsor logos, event branding, or a short message—anything you want your subjects to see first.
  • Mobile vs. Desktop: Remember that most traffic is on mobile, so prioritize how it looks in the center portion of your 16:9 artwork.

Check out this sample Event to see the new Cover Image feature in action! https://www.quic.pics/sample-event

2. LiveLoop™ Ads, Background Colors & Arrow Key Controls 🎞️

Our beloved LiveLoop™ just got even better:

  • Ads Every 20 Slides: Upload a 16:9 advertisement to appear periodically. Perfect for self-promotion, sponsor plugs, or event info.
  • Background Color Customization: Choose black or white instead of the default blurred background—tailor LiveLoop™ to your event’s aesthetic.
  • Arrow Key Controls: Tap left/right arrows on your LiveLoop™ device for immediate next/previous slide control. Handy for highlighting particular shots in real time.

Whether it’s brand synergy or a sponsor shout-out, LiveLoop™ is now more dynamic than ever!

3. Event Tag Public Event Lists + Header Graphics 🏷️

Remember the Event Tags introduced not long ago for streamlined reporting? We’ve expanded on that:

  • Public Event List URL: Each Event Tag now generates a public link showcasing all “All Images” galleries from events tied to that tag.
  • Search & Sorting: Visitors can filter through events by name or date, plus reorder from newest to oldest and more.
  • Header Graphic: Optionally upload a 16:9 cover photo to top this public list page—great for a cohesive brand look or partner organization’s branding.

Schools in particular asked for a single place where everyone can find photos from the year’s events—proms, sports, graduations, you name it—and now it’s just a single link!

Candid Color Photography's OU Football Public Event List with a Header Image.

4. Retail Site Tweaks 🛍️

We made some housekeeping changes on the retail site to pave the way for upcoming features:

  • New “Hamburger” Menu: Instead of multiple icons in the top-right, there’s one button that opens a menu with descriptions.
  • Cleaner UI: It’s more intuitive for end customers to find helpful features, boosting engagement and reducing confusion.

Expect more improvements next week—stay tuned!

More descriptive tools for retail site visitors!

5. More Miscellaneous Improvements 🏆

  • Google Wallet for Simple Check-In™: Subjects can now add their own unique event QR code after completing check-in to Google Wallet, not just Apple Wallet.
  • Orders Page Upgrades: While viewing an Event’s orders, you’ll now see how many retouchings, diamond gloss upsells, and various express checkouts are being used—perfect for gauging those extra revenue streams.
  • Background-Removed Images with Custom Backgrounds: On the Participant Details page and the Private Image Download Gallery, background-removed photos now display with any photographer-uploaded backgrounds and are downloadable. A convenient touch for both you and any event organizers you collaborate with.

That’s it for this Weekly Recap!

We hope these features add some pizzazz to your events, make LiveLoop™ more engaging, and simplify your day-to-day management.

If you have any questions or feedback, just give us a shout—your input helps shape the future of NowCandid™.

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Weekly Recap: Simple Check-In™, New Products Report, and Lots More ✨
Feature Updates
February 7, 2025

Weekly Recap: Simple Check-In™, New Products Report, and Lots More ✨

9
 minutes read
Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, ready to sprinkle some sparkle on your day with our latest Weekly Recap. We’ve been hard at work enhancing your NowCandid™ experience, and I’m thrilled to share all the juicy new features. Let’s dive in!

1. Simple Check-In™ for Positive ID Events 🤳

We’re introducing a brand-new way to make your Name Lookup and Scanner ID™ Workflows even smoother:

  • Single QR Code: Print just one QR code for the entire event. Participants scan it, enter their name and contact info, and a “blank” participant is instantly created—no selfie required.
  • Photographer & Wallet Benefits: Photographers can now quickly search by name if the event uses Name Lookup, or if the participant adds the pass to Apple Wallet (Google Wallet coming very soon), you can scan them later for Scanner ID™.
  • No More Bulk Scan Cards: Skip printing individual codes for everyone—one event code can do it all!

Scan Cards are still great in many situations, so this isn't a replacement - just an addition! Something to make the Name Lookup & Scanner IDWorkflows even more flexible!

Accessible by clicking the QR code within a Positive ID Event's Management Page

2. New Products Report 📈

We’ve introduced a new Products Report on your NowCandid™ web dashboard:

  • Most-Purchased & Highest-Revenue Products: See which items or packages your clients love most.
  • Standard Filters: Use the same powerful search options you know—by event, date range, program type, Event Tag, and more.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Identify your top performing items and make more informed Custom Offer adjustments!

If you’ve been curious which prints, downloads, or merch are hot, this is your new go-to spot!

Accessible from the Home tab of the web dashboard

3. Image Management Additions:

Multi-Select Enhancements 🛠️

We’ve expanded multi-select capabilities in Manage Images to handle even more tasks at once:

  • GroupTags: Now you can edit or remove GroupTags™ for all selected images simultaneously.
  • Select All Visible: Quickly grab every image on the current page to speed up those bulk actions.

Accessible using the multi-select button within an Event's Manage Images page

New Folder-Wide Options 📂

We also added a new Edit Folder button when a folder is selected:

  • Change Folder Visibility: Toggle an entire folder’s images between visible or invisible.
  • Group Status: Mark them as Group Photos or individual images in one go.
  • GroupTag: Apply the same GroupTag™ to every image in the folder—super handy for sorting large event albums.

Mass management, simplified!

Accessible using the Edit Folder button within an Event's Manage Images page

4. Face Matching™ Formula Switch 🧩

We added a new toggle in Edit Event to adjust how strict or lenient our Face Matching™ algorithm is:

  • Stricter Matching for Kids: If you’re dealing with lots of little ones who keep popping up in the wrong gallery, flip this switch for fewer “extra” matches.
  • Default Remains Flexible: Our usual method still works great for most events. If needed, you can always manually unassign images from a participant in the dashboard.

Less confusion, more accurate galleries—everyone wins!

Accessible when editing a Face Matching type Event

5. Manage Images: New Filter Menu 🖼️

We’ve reorganized the Manage Images page with a dedicated menu for filters:

  • Cleaned-Up UI: Too many filters were crowding the page; now they’re in one easy-to-access spot.
  • Clear Active Filters: It’s easier to see what’s on and what’s off, plus you can remove filters with a single click.

Navigating your images should feel more intuitive and less cluttered than before.

Accessible using the Filters button within an Event's Manage Images page

6. Image Timeline Screenshot Download ⏱️

Our Image Timeline feature now has a handy Download Screenshot button:

  • Quick Sharing: Snap a chart of your shooting pace or AI analysis and send it to your photographers or team.
  • Easy Feedback: Show them exactly where the busy or slow spots were without extra steps.

A small detail that can make a big difference for team communication.

Accessible using the Camera-icon button on an Event's Image Timeline page

7. Event Tag Add Popup Improvements 🏷️

When adding events to a tag from the Event Tags page:

  • Select Multiple Events at Once: No need to add them one by one.
  • Filtered Display: It only shows events that don’t already have that tag, saving clicks and confusion.

A quicker way to keep your events organized and ready for deeper insights.

Accessible using the Add Events to Tag button on the Event Tags page of the Web Dashboard

8. Marketing Tweak: Day0 with Group-Only Galleries ✉️

If a participant’s personal gallery only contains Group Photos, Day0 marketing won’t trigger:

  • Fewer Unnecessary Texts/Emails: Prevents those “here’s your gallery!” messages when there’s not much for them to see yet.
  • Smarter Outreach: Focus your marketing on participants who have individual images waiting.

This slight change can tidy up the user experience for your SportsPics™ or GradPics™ events.

9. Capture App 4.13.71 (iOS Only) 🍏

Some app updates for iPhone/iPad users:

  • iPad UI Fix: Addresses a bug when launching in portrait mode.
  • Photo Booth Mode Backgrounds: Hidden on iPads running iOS < 17.
  • Event Number: Now appears next to the event name, so you’re less likely to shoot under the wrong event.
  • Volume Trigger Fix: The internal camera capture now works again for devices that had issues after recent iOS changes—great news for those using volume-based triggers!

That’s it for this Weekly Recap!

We hope these upgrades help you handle your events faster, deliver better experiences to your clients, and keep the momentum going all year long.

As always, let us know if you have any questions, ideas, or just want to say hi.

Cheers and sparkles,

Candy 🍬

Did You Know? NowCandid™ Offers Retail Background Generation! ✨
NowCandid 101
February 5, 2025

Did You Know? NowCandid™ Offers Retail Background Generation! ✨

2
 minutes read
Hello, fabulous photographers!

Candy here, bringing you another “Did You Know?” feature highlight. Today’s spotlight is on a super-fun (and sometimes overlooked) part of our NowCandid™ retail site: AI-Generated Backgrounds for background-removed images. Let’s dive in!

AI Background Generation

When customers view or customize their images that have had their backgrounds removed, they’ll see an option inviting them to type in a text description of what they want behind them. Maybe it’s a colorful beach scene, a dreamy sunset, a whimsical forest—whatever the imagination conjures up! Our site will generate a fresh design tailored to that text prompt, giving them a truly unique final product.

Why It Matters

  • Personalized Shopping Experience: No two images look the same when customers can request different scenes. It’s perfect for capturing each individual’s tastes and vibes.
  • Boosts Sales: The novelty factor of typing in a text prompt and watching a new background appear can encourage customers to experiment—and buy more customized images.
  • Booking Tool: Using this feature as a sales tool to help you book parties, sports leagues, or anything else can be a way to get a gatekeeper's attention!

How It Works

  1. Choose a Background-Removed Image: When browsing the NowCandid™ retail site, customers click on an image that’s had its background removed.
  2. Enter a Text Prompt: A simple text field awaits—“sunset on a calm lake,” “abstract rainbow swirl,” “comic book city,” etc.
  3. Watch It Appear: The site blends the subject with the newly generated backdrop. Customers can finalize it right there, or try another prompt until they’re happy.

Retail Theme: Liquorice

That’s your little “Did You Know?” tip for today!

We hope you’ll tell your clients about this magical customization option—it might spark new ideas (and more sales!) for their photos.

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, let us know.Until next time, keep capturing those unforgettable moments! ✨

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

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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The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

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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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