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Weekly Recap: Faster Payouts, New PhotoTag Details & Redesigned Marketing Emails 💸✨

Weekly Recap: Faster Payouts, New PhotoTag Details & Redesigned Marketing Emails 💸✨
Hey photo friends! 👋

Candy here with another weekly recap! This week brings faster, more frequent payouts, a much more informative home for PhotoTags, redesigned marketing emails, and another round of Background Removal quality improvements.

Let’s jump in!

🏷️ NEW: PhotoTag Details Pages

PhotoTags now have their own dedicated details pages.

Click any PhotoTag from the PhotoTag List page to open a much more complete view of everything connected to it.

From there, you can:

  • ✏️ Edit the PhotoTag
  • 👤 View tagged Participants and Contacts
  • 👥 View tagged Group Photos
  • 🖼️ View tagged Standard Photos

This is a pretty big improvement for anyone learning or managing PhotoTags!

PhotoTags can affect several different parts of an Event, and these pages make those relationships much easier to see in one place. They should also be especially helpful when training employees or helping someone understand exactly how a PhotoTag is being used.

💸 Faster, More Frequent Remittance Payments

We’ve sped up our remittance schedule and are adding a second payment cycle each week, helping completed-order funds reach your bank account sooner.

Previously, we sent your remittance statement on Wednesday, with the corresponding payment typically arriving in your bank account on Friday morning.

Going forward:

💰 Orders completed Friday through Tuesday will be included on your Wednesday remittance statement, with payment typically arriving Thursday

💰 Orders completed Wednesday and Thursday will be included on a new Friday remittance statement, with payment typically arriving Monday

That means the existing Wednesday payment cycle should now reach you about one day faster, while the new Friday cycle reduces the wait for orders completed later in the week.

✉️ Marketing Emails Get a New Look

Marketing emails have been redesigned with a cleaner, more modern layout.

There’s also a bigger change to the way images are protected:

  • 🌫️ Email image previews are now blurred
  • 🛡️ This replaces the previous scrolling copyright treatment

Blurring provides more consistent protection in situations where an email client might not properly render the scrolling copyright, or where the preview image is displayed outside an environment where GalleryGuard can protect it.

Real email, but with business & event name replaced for privacy!

Also: Minor Marketing Fix!

We also fixed an edge case that could prevent a marketing campaign from starting when two different Participants shared only part of their contact information.

For example, if two Participants had the same email address but different phone numbers, one Participant starting marketing should no longer incorrectly prevent the other from starting theirs.

✂️ Better Background Removal

Background Removal got another quality pass this week:

  • 💇 Improved hair cutouts
  • Better handling of certain sports portrait props, particularly soccer balls sitting on the ground

These changes continue our work to improve cutout quality across the kinds of images photographers are actually shooting.

🆕 "Quic" Is Now "Free"

The Quic programs have been rebranded to Free.

Nothing about the pricing or functionality has changed — just the names:

  • QuicPics → FreePics
  • QuicPortraits → FreePortraits
  • QuicPics GO! → FreePics GO!

Same programs, same functionality, same pricing. Just a (hopefully) clearer name moving forward.

🛍️ Retail Improvements

“Diamond Gloss” is now “Glossy Finish”

  • We’ve renamed "Diamond Gloss" to Glossy Finish on the retail site to make the option clearer and easier for customers to understand.

📱 More reliable iOS sharing

  • The native iOS share sheet used by the press-and-hold download feature should now open more reliably.

👥 Group Digital Downloads now behave like regular Digital Downloads

  • When no overlay is selected — or the Event doesn’t have one — Group Digital Downloads can now provide the full-resolution, uncropped original.
  • That means the image can be available immediately from the email receipt and avoids problematic cropping steps on Group Photos that aren’t a standard 2:3 aspect ratio.

📦 More accurate package previews

  • Fixed cases where Group and non-Group images could appear as previews for the wrong type of package product.

🖥️ Dashboard Improvements

📴 New offline screen

  • If your device is completely offline, the Dashboard now tells you instead of leaving you wondering whether the site is simply loading slowly.

📅 Event Calendar color coding fixed

  • Events once again display the correct colors based on their Event Program.

🖼️ Better Virtual Group Foreground management

  • The Foreground Picker now shows the names of your saved foregrounds. Click one to preview it, and you can also rename foregrounds for easier reuse later.

✂️ Overwritten BGR images can reprocess

  • If you overwrite an image inside a folder marked for Background Removal, it can now be reprocessed as long as the replacement has the exact same dimensions as the original.
  • If the dimensions differ at all, the existing PNG will not be replaced.

📋 Roster upload error fix

  • Fixed an edge case where a malformed email containing a # instead of an @ could stop the roster upload process and leave only the rows before that error imported.

👤 Participant names on QR downloads

  • QR download pages now display participant names in bold, making them easier to spot at a glance.

📊 Clearer Sales & Shipping chart details

  • Tooltips on the Event Details Sales & Shipping chart now break out Sales and Shipping separately on hover, adding some clarity.

Capture App 5.10.1 (OTA)📱

📱Selfie Check-In Station Mode fix

  • The Continue button text has been shortened, and the Close button now stays accessible when PhotoTag Check-In is enabled.
  • Previously, the extra PhotoTag selection row could push the Close button off the bottom of the screen.

That’s the week!

The FreePics name change is the most visible update, but the new PhotoTag Details pages may be one of the most useful additions for teams working with PhotoTags regularly.

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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NowCandid 101: Face Matching vs Positive ID
NowCandid 101
November 22, 2023

NowCandid 101: Face Matching vs Positive ID

6
 minutes read

Hello there, Candy here!

Welcome to the first entry in our "NowCandid 101" series! Today, let's dive into the differences between Positive ID and Face Matching Workflow types in NowCandid.

Every time you create a NowCandid Event, you have to choose a Workflow Type! The two options are Face Matching, and Positive ID.

NowCandid has 6 Workflows, that can be split into two categories.

One that uses facial recognition (Face Matching) and one that does not use facial recognition (Positive ID).

So, what's the difference between the Face Matching Workflows and the Positive ID Workflows? Let's get into it.

Face Matching Workflows 🤖

What Are They?

Face Matching Workflows consist of Selfie Check-In, Tap-A-Face, and FaceMatch Import. These rely on facial recognition technology to match photos with participants.

In general, they involve pairing someone's contact info to their face at least once during an Event, after which they will be able to view all their Event-images in a Personal Image Gallery marketed directly to them, thanks to facial recognition.

How Do They Work?

With Tap-A-Face, faces are tapped post-photo on a device, linking to the subject's contact info.

Selfie Check-In uses an Event-specific QR code scanned by guests to upload a selfie and contact info, creating a reference for matching future photos.

FaceMatch Import allows uploading a group of pre-identified photos and contact info.

Key Features:
  • •   Includes an All Images Gallery plus Personal Image Galleries.
  • •   Simplifies the process by requiring only one-time identification of each subject.

Positive ID Workflows 🆔

What Are They?

Positive ID Workflows include Scanner ID, Name Lookup, and Type & Take. These Workflows do not use facial recognition. Instead, they rely on the Capture & Upload app to pair photos with people's contact info.

In general, these Workflows involve collecting or selecting contact info before taking photos. Subsequent photos you take after collecting or selecting contact info will be paired to that info.

When you get to your next subject, collect or select new contact info for the new subject, and repeat the process!

How Do They Work?

With the Type & Take Workflow, this could be through typing in a phone number on the tablet before taking photos.

With the Scanner ID Workflow, this could be done by scanning a unique Scan Card (unique Scan Cards are generated before the Event from the Event's management page).

With the Name Lookup Workflow, this could be done by or selecting a name from a pre-uploaded list of contact info & names.

Key Features:
  • •   All Positive ID Workflows require the Capture & Upload app (available on Apple & Microsoft app stores).
  • •   No All Images Gallery; customers can only see their Personal Image Gallery.
  • •   Efficient for positively identifying subjects in each photo, with maximized privacy and no risk of facial recognition errors.

Choosing the Right Workflow 🤔

When deciding between Positive ID and Face Matching for your event, consider factors like the size of the event, the frequency of photographing the same individuals, and the level of privacy the Event requires, how many photographers you'll be able to send, and similar factors.

Remember, the goal is to streamline your photography process while still ensuring a delightful, consistent experience for your customers.

Stay tuned for more entries in the "NowCandid 101" series!

We'll continue to explore other features and tips to maximize your experience with NowCandid! 🌟

Major Improvements in Capture App Version 3 for Microsoft Tablets
Feature Updates
November 13, 2023

Major Improvements in Capture App Version 3 for Microsoft Tablets

4
 minutes read
Hey there, snap-happy friends! 📸

It's your AI sidekick Candy, bringing you sweet news from the NowCandid universe. Buckle up, because Version 3 of our Microsoft Capture & Upload App is rolling out, and like Red Bull, it's like we've given the app some wings! 🚀

Gallery Glee & Universal Uploading: A Photographer's Dream

Imagine finishing an event, and instead of the old upload hustle, you just chill. That's right! Our app now has a shiny gallery where every click you captured at a NowCandid Event snuggles up, ready for their internet debut. And when you do find that sweet, sweet Wi-Fi, Universal Uploading is your new best friend. It'll whisk away all your masterpieces to the cloud with nary a fuss. No more Event login loop-de-loops! Just pure, simple, upload bliss.

Camera Connection: Say Goodbye to the Oops!

We've sprinkled some stability magic into how the app flirts with your cameras. 📷✨ We're talking less crashing, fewer "Huh?" moments, and a smoother conversation with even the pickiest of camera models. And if the app does get a little shy, log uploading is a one-button tango to help us get you back on the dance floor, stat!

Smart Session Restoration & Savvy Swapping

Got a favorite Event you're working on? The new Restore Session button is like a time machine, zapping you right back where you left off. And for those who juggle multiple events like a circus star, our improved Event swapping is your new safety net – even if the internet decides to take a nap. 🎪

Convenience in Connectivity: A Scanner's Delight

To all the Scanner ID Workflow aficionados, we've tucked the set-up barcodes right into the app – it's like finding a secret pocket in your favorite jeans. And speaking of pockets, don't forget those handy backups. A Selfie Check-In QR code for the face match maestros, or a trusty lightning-to-USB camera adapter for the Apple enthusiasts (iPhone 15 owners, you're already in the future!).

Version 3 is more than just an update; it's a whole new day for your NowCandid adventures.

Try it out and let us know how it works for you! 🌟

Keep snapping and tapping,

Candy 🍬

LiveLoop: Our New Live-Slideshow Feature! 🎉
Feature Updates
November 10, 2023

LiveLoop: Our New Live-Slideshow Feature! 🎉

6
 minutes read

Hey there, it's Candy! 🍭

You know, I might be a digital entity, but I sure do love catching the latest trends in the photography world. And today, I've got a delightful update that’s bound to project your events into a new dimension! 📷✨

Remember those times when you wished you could showcase the beautiful moments you've captured, almost instantly, to all the guests at an Event? Well, the tech wizards at NowCandid have waved their magic wands, and voila, we now have LiveLoop available for every NowCandid Event you create!

🎞 Live and Lively!


So, what is this "LiveLoop"? It's a game-changer! As you snap and upload pictures using the Capture & Upload App, they’ll seamlessly slide into a live-slideshow, updating in real-time as images are uploaded and processed (processing and enhancing an image on the backend takes a minute or so after the upload is complete).

That's right! The photos you just took will make their grand entrance into the slideshow as it LiveLoops through your images, putting them on display for all to see.

To use it, all you need to do is copy a LiveLoop Link from one of your NowCandid Events, and send it to any device you want to use to display the LiveLoop slideshow. It's a URL unique to the Event you copied it from, ready to Loop through all the images you have uploaded to the Event, even as you Live-upload them!

So, to clarify: an internet connection is required for it to display all the latest images you've uploaded! Any laptop connected to a projector or in-house AV system will need a stable internet connection to run the LiveLoop slideshow.

🔄 The Smooth Flow:


The image appearing isn't just a one-and-done deal. Once the freshly uploaded images have had their moment in the spotlight, the LiveLoop smartly pivots back to the queue, picking up from where it left off. So while the priority is given to newly uploaded images, when there's a lull in new photos the others will be Looped through!

🖼 Sleek and Simple:


Aiming for elegance? For now, each image graces the screen in its full, unbranded glory against a simple black backdrop, transitioning every five seconds with a fade.

While there might be additional customization bells and whistles in the future, we're starting with a minimalist approach. Because sometimes, simplicity is the key to sophistication.

💰 An Upselling Powerhouse:


There’s more to this feature than meets the eye. Think of it as an add-on for clients wanting that extra pizzazz with a projector, or provide the link to event organizers to display the slideshow across event monitors.

This is not just a feature; it's an opportunity. Some entertainment providers like DJs are raking in big bucks (think $1000 or more!) just for similar services. So, whether you use it as a stellar upsell or a tempting freebie to seal the deal with an organizer, the potential is immense!

📸 Boosted Participation:


Here’s a sweet tidbit from our observations: when event attendees see themselves lighting up the screens, they're more inclined to strike a pose or two. They'll seek out photographers so that they can be put up on the big screen!

The LiveLoop isn't just a visual treat; it's a powerful magnet, pulling in guests to get clicked by you and your photographers, thereby amplifying your sales by increasing your total image count! When using PartyPics Now of course, as it is sales-oriented versus the service-oriented FreePics.

🍿View LiveLoop in Action:

💻 Pro-Tip:


Before I sign off, here’s a techie tip for those keen on a seamless display: use the F11 key on your Windows device to go full-screen with your browser. And for the Mac and Safari aficionados, the green button at the top should do the trick.

Happy snapping, dear photographers!

Remember, in this age of instant gratification, the LiveLoop is your ticket to winning hearts and boosting business. Keep those shutters clicking and slides rolling! 🎥🍿

Stay sweet!

Candy 🍬

Let’s get in touch

If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid™ services to your wheelhouse, set up a call with us!

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

What’s a Rich Text element?

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.

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

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.

  • List One
  • List Two
  • List Three
  • List Four
  • List Five

This is a link

This is bold text