Big News: Introducing Custom Backgrounds for Your Events! 🎨✨
By
Candy
on
August 22, 2024
|
4
minute read
Hey there, fabulous photographers!
Candy here with some exciting news in our "Big News" series. We’re thrilled to announce the latest addition to NowCandid: the Custom Background feature!
This new option allows you to upload up to 4 custom backgrounds for your customers to choose from when they’re selecting their photos on the retail site. Let’s take a quick look at how this can elevate your photography offerings! 📸
What are Custom Backgrounds? 🖼️
Custom Backgrounds give you the flexibility to provide your clients with personalized background options tailored to the specific Event.
Whether you’re photographing graduates and want school-specific backgrounds, or covering sports events with sport-specific designs, this feature has got you covered!
Up to 4 Custom Backgrounds: Upload up to 4 custom backgrounds for each Event, in addition to the default options.
Horizontal and Vertical Versions Required: Each background needs both a horizontal and vertical version to ensure your photos look perfect, no matter the orientation.
Check out the screenshots below for a glimpse of the new Custom Backgrounds interface:
How Does It Work? 🤔
Using Custom Backgrounds is easy! Simply upload your backgrounds at the Event level when setting up your Event.
If you decide not to use this feature, don’t worry—AI background generation and default backgrounds will still be available for your clients. This feature is entirely optional but provides a great way to add a personalized touch to your photos.
File Requirements:
JPG format
Around 300 DPI
SRGB color profile
2x3 or 3x2 aspect ratio
Recommended dimensions: 2000x3000 or 3000x2000
Here’s an example of a photo with a fun custom background applied:
What’s Next? 🚀
Currently, Custom Backgrounds are added at the Event level. But stay tuned—we’re exploring the possibility of adding backgrounds at the Account level in the future. This would make it even easier to offer consistent, branded options across all your Events.
We’re so excited to see how you’ll use this new feature to enhance your photography and delight your clients.
As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, we’re here to help!
Candy here, and I’m excited to bring you my top picks for iPad-only photo booths in 2025 — fresh from the Photo Booth Expo show floor. As you know, NowCandid’s Photo Booth Mode works seamlessly with Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras. But if you’re looking to simplify your setup, these iPad-only booths are our top recommendations!
Why do we prefer iPad-only?
It’s all about scalability, convenience, and cost savings. While Windows is very customizable compared to Apple, that also opens up your software to various complications & interference from settings & applications across a Windows device. The streamlined software of Apple devices can help reduce those odd issues that pop up occasionally from event to event.
Below, you’ll find three stands we checked out this year, each with a Pros & Cons list and our more detailed “Our Take.” Let’s get to it! 🚀
• Includes frames for multiple iPad sizes (10.2'' 10.9'' 11'' 12.9'')
• Optional rolling case for an extra $100
Pros:
✅ Affordable — Perfect for those on a tighter budget
✅ Sturdy, good build quality despite the lower price point
✅ Attractive design with body lights + ring light
✅ Two remotes to control both the body lights & the ring light
✅ Ring light can change color tone (white, blue, yellow) + brightness
Cons:
❌ Too tall — even with tilt, shorter guests often appear low in the frame
❌ Not super portable — 10 screws for full assembly/disassembly, not counting iPad mounting
❌ Can’t keep iPad fully charged on max brightness; battery drain is slower but still present
❌ Spinning 360° head can get tilted off-center by guests too easily, unless tightened
❌ Carrying case is sub-par (handles sometimes broke off in our tests, no dedicated compartments for each piece)
Our Take
We call this booth the “Bargain Booth” for a reason. At just $549, it offers a really good bang for your buck, especially if you’re not overly concerned about having no-tools assembly or a perfect height. If you’re okay with its tall frame, you could mitigate set-up hassles by keeping it partially assembled and just transporting it in a larger vehicle.
However, the height might be an issue if your events often include younger kids or smaller adults — you’ll either have to tilt it downward a lot (which can distort the perspective) or place the booth next to a short platform for subjects to stand on, to raise them up a bit relative to the photo booth. Another minor inconvenience is that it won’t keep a 12.9-inch iPad Pro fully charged if you’re running maximum screen brightness (which you often do in well-lit or outdoor events). As a workaround, start the event with a fully charged iPad to ensure it lasts 10+ hours.
All in all, if budget is your top priority and you can accept the relatively tall design and some quirky portability issues, the Bargain Booth is a solid choice. We’ve used one ourselves throughout our trade show tour — it survived being shipped around on pallets across the country! That’s a good sign it’s built to last.
Image pulled from this booth's Amazon Store page, linked above
✅ Very professional, modern design (and easy to add vinyl wraps)
✅ Roamer mode — Detach the base plate for a handheld kiosk
✅ Easy "guided access" — Slot to let you press the iPad power button with a paperclip
✅ Cooling fans — Great for outdoor or long-lasting events
✅ 1-year warranty
✅ Comes with a compact rolling case that’s sturdy and well-organized
✅ Can keep an iPad fully charged with no battery drain issues
Cons:
❌ Expensive — $3,000 when not on sale
❌ Limited light control — Currently supports only an all-white ring lamp mode when used with NowCandid's Capture & Upload App
❌ No body lights (though custom vinyl wraps can spice it up)
❌ 11" iPad faceplate is an add-on ($49 extra)
Our Take
The Salsa 2 was one of the prettiest booths at Photo Booth Expo 2025. Yes, it’s significantly pricier than the Bargain Booth, but that extra cost gets you:
• Premium build & design: It looks sleek, modern, and instantly elevates any event space.
• Tool-free assembly: You can set it up in minutes, which is fantastic if you’re juggling multiple events or tight on time.
• Real portability: The included rolling case feels like well-designed luggage. It’s compact, highly protective, and easy to maneuver.
• No battery issues: Unlike cheaper stands, the Salsa 2’s internal wiring keeps your iPad at 100% charge, even at full brightness.
• Convenience features: Accessing the iPad’s power button through a tiny opening is genius — it makes entering Apple’s Guided Access mode a breeze.
• Cooling fans: If you’ve ever had an iPad overheat while guests queue up, you’ll understand just how valuable built-in cooling can be.
As for the lighting, we loved that the ring light is bright and consistent. However, it would be nice if it could sync or tie in with other software to do color changes, currently it is only available in a plain white “lamp mode” when used with NowCandid. That said, the ring light is extremely usable out of the box, and most guests will probably never be upset it’s just white.
Overall, the Salsa 2 is a fantastic investment if you want a booth that radiates professionalism, sets up easily, and doesn’t skimp on features like cooling or proper cable management. If you’re aiming to scale up your photo booth business and command a higher rate for a premium booth, Salsa 2 is definitely our top pick.
Image pulled from the Salsa 2's "Explore" page, linked above
3. The Helio Sport by ATA Photo Booths
Price: $1,449 (no case), $1,949 (with rolling case)
• Assembly is simpler than the Bargain Booth, but not as effortless as the Salsa 2
• Does not support the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (and requires you to pick a specific iPad size at purchase)
Pros:
✅ Reasonably priced for a mid-tier booth
✅ Solid build quality and sleek, minimal design
✅ No glaring flaws — a stable option that “just works”
✅ Vinyl wrapping is easy if you want to customize the look
Cons:
❌ Not very feature-rich — Lacks some extras like body lights
❌ Height not adjustable — Tilt-only design (however, it's a good height to begin with!)
❌ Comes with 1 iPad frame — You must choose the iPad size when ordering; and no 12.9" support
❌ Assembly takes more time than the Salsa 2 (though not as much as the Bargain Booth)
Our Take
If you’re seeking a middle ground between the cheapest and priciest booths, the Helio Sport can fit the bill. It doesn’t stand out with flashy body lights or a detachable "roaming booth" head, but it also doesn’t suffer from major flaws. Setup is fairly quick (somewhere between the Bargain Booth’s many screws and the Salsa 2’s tool-free approach). The price tag, around $1,449, places it well under the Salsa 2, but it’s still nearly three times more than the Bargain Booth.
For us, the biggest drawback is that it doesn’t support the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. That’s our favorite iPad size for photo booths, especially if you’re looking to have a large, vibrant display. So if you’re committed to using a bigger iPad, the Helio Sport might not be your best pick.
That said, if you already own a compatible iPad or you prefer something smaller (and you’re on a moderate budget), the Helio Sport remains a solid contender. It has a professional look, decent portability (especially if you spring for the rolling case), and a straightforward operation. It might lack the “wow” factor of the Salsa 2, but if you’re simply looking for a reliable iPad booth with minimal fuss, Helio Sport is a fine choice.
Image pulled from the Helio Sport's store page, linked above
Final Thoughts
In the world of iPad-only photo booths:
1. Bargain Booth (Marvel Tech) – Best Value
Great price, tall frame, some minor inconveniences (charging, height, and assembly). Very durable and surprisingly good build quality for the cost.
Premium design, tool-free assembly, built-in cooling, and straightforward iPad integration. More expensive but loaded with user-friendly features.
3. Helio Sport (ATA Photo Booths) – Honorable Mention
Middle-of-the-road price and features, but lacks support for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. A decent option if you’re okay with a smaller iPad.
And no matter which booth you choose, remember to:
• Use a cellular-enabled iPad Pro for maximum flexibility.
• Get a high-quality screen protector for your device.
• Enable Guided Access (when able) to keep guests from exiting the Capture & Upload app and poking around in your iPad.
One Last Photo Booth Pro-Tip:
None of our recommendations today have glass screens to cover your iPad, as that tends to make tapping the screen inconsistent. Instead, head to Best Buy or a similar store and buy a protective screen for your iPad. They’ll even apply it for you bubble-free! Many screens have warranties as well, so you can replace them at no extra cost if they crack. This approach keeps your iPad screen protected from scratches while remaining responsive to your guests’ taps, making the experience better for everyone.
And if you have any questions about NowCandid’s Photo Booth Mode, or just want more tips on creating the ultimate interactive photo experience, drop us a line on our Calendly! We’re always here to help.
Candy here, welcoming you to a slightly lighter Weekly Recap than usual—though trust me, next week’s is shaping up to be pretty big, so stay tuned!
Let’s dive into the latest changes and features arriving on NowCandid™ this week.
1. Group Photo Toggle for PartyPics™ 🏷️
We’ve extended the Group Photo toggle on the Manage Images page to include PartyPics™ events:
Mark as Group Image: Place that photo at the end of every participant’s personal gallery.
Selling Group Photos:
If you have group photo–specific products, those images are only purchasable on those items.
If not, they’re sold on your normal product lineup.
No Automatic Marketing: Group photos won’t trigger separate marketing, but they’ll appear for everyone with a personal gallery.
It’s a handy way to ensure attendees see any large group or crowd shots without extra hassle!
2. Improved Participant Counts 🙋
Our Participant counting system just got more accurate:
Combined Contacts: If a single Selfie Check-In™ has multiple Contact entries, it now counts as one "Participant", rather than one Participant for each Contact.
Counts Across the Platform: These updated numbers apply in Reports, the Event Management page, and the Participant Management page.
Contact Details: You’ll still see a Total Contacts count below the Participant count—so you can manage each Contact's gallery and info as needed, as usual!
These more accurately reflect how many individuals were actually at your events, while preserving key data about who’s who and how many contacts you collected.
3. Face Matching™ for Portraits Now 🤳
Lastly, you can now choose to run Face Matching™ in your Portraits Now events:
Previously Positive ID Only: Portraiture Events historically used only Positive ID, but many photographers brought up use cases for face-based workflows in certain portrait sessions!
Example: It can help with portraiture Events for which clients may be taking time to do outfit changes, or go to multiple portrait stations. Face Matching allows you to photo subjects out of order, without any slowdowns or multiple entries.
It’s another way we’re giving you flexibility to craft the best workflow for your clients’ needs.
That’s it for this week, folks!
Sometimes even small updates can have a big impact on your Workflow! So thanks for staying tuned.
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, don’t hesitate to reach out—and don’t forget to check back next week for some very exciting changes!
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.
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™.
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