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Big News: Introducing NowCandidโ€™s All-New Web Dashboard! ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ’ป

Big News: Introducing NowCandidโ€™s All-New Web Dashboard! ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ’ป
Hey there, amazing photographers!

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Candy here with the latest and greatest update in our โ€œBig Newsโ€ series. Weโ€™re thrilled to announce the launch of Web Dashboard 2.0โ€”the final piece in our massive overhaul of the entire NowCandid platform this year.

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With this release, weโ€™ve essentially delivered completely new versions of every aspect of NowCandid, including the Web Dashboard, Mobile Dashboard App, Capture & Upload App, and Retail Site. Welcome to a new era of NowCandid! ๐ŸŽ‰

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Want to check it out yourself? Head to (app.nowcandid.com) and log in!

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A Whole New Experience ๐Ÿš€

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With Web Dashboard 2.0, youโ€™ll notice a fresh, intuitive interface and a host of new features designed to make managing your photography business easier and more efficient.

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Offer Creation is one of the biggest additions to the new Dashboard, but since weโ€™ve already covered that in a previous blog post (click here to read that blog post), letโ€™s dive into the other exciting updates! ๐ŸŒ

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New Home Tab: Stay on Top of Everything ๐Ÿ 

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Your new Home Tab provides an at-a-glance overview of recent activity in your account. You can quickly see orders, sales, and upcoming, active, or recent Events. Weโ€™ve also rebuilt the Sales & Events reports from the ground up.

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These reports now include more filter options and can be easily downloaded, giving you the data you need, when you need it.

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Expanded Event Management Tools ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ

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Event creation may feel familiar, but there are now way more tools at your disposal for managing Events. Letโ€™s dive into each of these new features!

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Marketing History ๐Ÿ“Š

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Now you can view the full marketing history for each Event directly from the dashboard. This lets you track all your promotional efforts and ensure things are running smoothly as your Event progresses.

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Participant Management ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

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Participants are now fully visible and editable in the dashboard. You can also access and share their personal gallery links directly from this section, making it easier to manage and support your clients.

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Roster Uploads ๐Ÿ“‹

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Got a list of participants? You can now upload rosters directly to your Event, streamlining the process of adding participants manually and enabling NowCandid's (Name Lookup Workflow)

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Full-Resolution Image Downloads ๐Ÿ“ธ

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Need to pull an image for a customer or event organizer? You can now download your full-resolution images directly from the Manage Images section of the dashboard.

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Image Uploader Improvements ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ

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The image uploader now checks all images for compatibility before uploading them. This includes checking for correct file type, DPI, color profile, and more, helping you (and us!) avoid production and support issues before they arise.

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Custom Backgrounds ๐ŸŒˆ

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Add a personal touch to your Events with our new Custom Backgrounds feature. You can upload up to 4 custom backgrounds per Event, allowing your clients to choose a backdrop that suits their style.

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Learn more in our (Custom Backgrounds blog post)

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Full Frame Overlays ๐ŸŽจ

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Our new Full Frame Overlay feature lets you apply full-frame graphics to your photos, giving them a unique, professional look.

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Explore how this can enhance your photos in our (Full Frame Overlay blog post)

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"Greek" Keyboard ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท

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Now you can use a Greek keyboard when adding text titles to your photos, offering more personalization to Text Overlays for your fraternity and sorority clients.

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Customizable QuicPics Texts โœ‰๏ธ

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The โ€œYour images are arriving soonโ€ text that gets sent via QuicPics is now customizable! Tailor your messaging to better suit the tone and style of your Event, or even promote an Event's sponsor!

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Event Management Portal: Selective Access for Photographers ๐Ÿ”‘

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Introducing the new Event Management Portal! This tool allows you to provide selective access to your Events for lead photographers without giving them full access to your account.

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The portal uses the same email + passcode login as the Capture & Upload App and grants the user access to the following settings and features:

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  • Image Viewing & Retail Image Visibility Settings
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  • Manual Image Uploading
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  • Participant Editing &ย Manual Participant Adding
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  • All Gallery Access &ย Personal Galleries Access
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  • LiveLoop URLย Access
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  • Image File Downloading
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  • QR Code Access

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This is perfect for giving your photographers the tools they need without compromising the security of your entire account. The portal can be accessed at (www.quic.pics/portal), so it doesnโ€™t even mention NowCandidโ€”keeping things sleek and professional.

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Private Shareable Gallery URL ๐ŸŒ

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Need to share Event photos with an organizer? Weโ€™ve got you covered with a new private shareable downloadable gallery URL.

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This makes it easy to provide event organizers with any photos they need, all in one convenient place, without transmitting hundreds of large image files via Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar services.

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New Image Upload Tester ๐Ÿงช

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Worried about compatibility issues? The new image upload tester allows you to test a single image before even trying to upload it to your Event.

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It checks for issues like color profile, DPI, file size, file type, and incompatible characters in the file nameโ€”making sure everything runs smoothly.

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Rebuilt UI for Key Pages ๐ŸŽจ

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Weโ€™ve also rebuilt the Account Settings, Resources, and FaceMatch Import pages from the ground up with a fresh new UI. These updates ensure a more intuitive and efficient experience across the (dash)board!

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And More to Comeโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ”ฎ

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Weโ€™re not done yet, folks! Thereโ€™s more exciting stuff on the way, so stay tuned for future updates.

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We canโ€™t wait to see how you use our new Web Dashboard to take your photography business to the next level.

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As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, weโ€™re here to help!

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Cheers and sparkles,

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Candy ๐Ÿฌ

Related articles

Candy's Weekly Recap: Extended Positive ID Events, Enhanced Order Details & More!๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŽ‰
Feature Updates
December 6, 2024

Candy's Weekly Recap: Extended Positive ID Events, Enhanced Order Details & More!๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŽ‰

4
ย minutes read
Hello, my fabulous photographer friends!

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Candy here, ready to sprinkle some sparkle on your day with our latest Weekly Recap! ๐ŸŒŸ

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We've been tinkering away to bring you some delightful updates that'll make your NowCandid experience even betterโ€”just in time for the holiday season! Let's dive in! ๐ŸŠโ€โ™€๏ธ

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1. Extended Duration for Positive ID Events ๐ŸŽ…

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Great news for those capturing the magic of the season!

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  • Positive ID Events Now Up to 30 Days Long: You can now edit your Positive ID Workflow events to extend their end date up to 30 days.
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  • Why This Matters:
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    • Longer Visibility: Events will stay visible on the selection screen of the Capture & Upload App for a longer period, beyond the typical 5-day range.
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    • Perfect for Holiday Events: This change is especially helpful for those using our Scanner ID and Type & Take workflows for Santa photos and other festive events.
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  • Note: This extension is currently only for Positive ID Events. Events using the Face Matching Workflow remain unchanged.
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  • Holiday Cheer: Don't forget to try out our Candy Cane retail theme, stuffed with plenty of holiday spirit to make your galleries extra festive! ๐ŸŽ„

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2. Enhanced Order Details in Web Dashboard ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

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We've supercharged the Order Details to keep you in the loop!

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  • More Informative Order Details:
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    • Comprehensive Info: Access all the information you need about each order directly from the dashboard.
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    • Clickable Orders: Orders in the recent orders lists are now clickable, taking you straight to detailed order pages.
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  • Participant Integration:
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    • Jump to Participant Details: If an order is tied to a participant, you can navigate directly to their details page.
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    • View Images & Marketing History: See their images, marketing interactions, and more.
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  • Did You Know? ๐Ÿค”
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    • NowCandid Handles Retail Support: That's right! We take care of much of the retail support for you, including order resubmissions. You can focus on capturing moments while we handle the rest!

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3. Improved Scan Card Generation Performance ๐Ÿ“

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We've fine-tuned the Scan Card generation to make it smoother than ever!

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  • Performance Boost:
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    • Faster Generation: Recent updates had slowed down scan card creation, but we've optimized the process.
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    • Reliability Restored: Generating Scan Card PDFs should now work properly and more efficiently.
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  • Why It Matters:
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    • Seamless Workflow: Especially important for high-volume events like holiday photo sessions.
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    • Feedback Welcome: If you notice anything not performing as expected or have suggestions, please let us know!
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  • A Festive Note:
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    • We're committed to resolving any issues faster than Santa delivering presents to billions of children across the globe in just 24 hours! (All those cookies must give him quite the sugar rush.) ๐Ÿช๐ŸŽ…

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We're always here to support you!

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So please, feel free to share your feedback or questions.

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Cheers and sparkles,

Candy ๐Ÿฌ

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P.S. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with magical moments to capture! ๐ŸŽโœจ

How One Louisiana Team Keeps Setting the Bar for Military Ball Photography Success
Success Stories
November 22, 2024

How One Louisiana Team Keeps Setting the Bar for Military Ball Photography Success

8
ย minutes read
When it comes to military ball events, our incredible NowCandid users out of Louisiana have done it again!

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Building on their previous years of success, theyโ€™ve once again showcased how profitable and rewarding these events can be with the right tools, strategy, and dedication.

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Consistency & Growth in 2024

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Despite a slight decrease in event participants/attendance in 2024 compared to the previous year, this Louisiana team managed to match their impressive ~$26,000 sales total from 2023โ€”and they didnโ€™t stop there. They also improved their sales per image and sales per participant averages, proving that even with fewer attendees, their ability to deliver value remains unparalleled.

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This is the kind of consistency and adaptability that defines true professionals. Even more remarkable is their journey to this point.

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The Journey: From 2022 to 2024

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Itโ€™s worth revisiting their story. Back in 2022, this team had just started using NowCandidโ€”trained on the system the week of their first military ball event. Despite being completely new to the platform and working under tight deadlines, they pulled in an impressive $16,000 in sales. While those numbers didnโ€™t quite hit the heights of their 2023 and 2024 totals, it was a strong foundation for what was to come.

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For their 2023 and 2024 events, they doubled down on preparation and team strategy, hiring additional staff to support their photographers and improve operational efficiency.

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One of the key moves was more actively promoting selfie check-ins, which not only enhanced the customer experience but also increased the number of photos takenโ€”a direct driver of sales. These refinements pushed them to over $26,000 in sales in 2023 and another stellar year in 2024.

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Looking Ahead to 2025

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With the new Web Dashboard at their fingertips, the Louisiana team is already preparing to take their 2025 military ball to new heights. The Web Dashboard will unlock features that are sure to impress attendees and drive even greater sales:

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  • More Art Overlay Options: Customize event images with exciting designs that attendees will love.
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  • All-New Retail Site: A sleek, user-friendly interface for clients to browse and purchase their images.
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  • Upsell Opportunities: Introduce premium options like retouching and diamond gloss print coating to enhance the final product and boost sales.

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Armed with these enhancements, theyโ€™re aiming for even bigger successes in 2025โ€”and we canโ€™t wait to see what they accomplish.

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Military Balls: A Goldmine for Photographers

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This Louisiana teamโ€™s story is a shining example of how profitable military ball events can be. With strategic planning, the right tools, and a little effort, these events can bring in tens of thousands of dollars in revenue.

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If there are military bases in or near your area, we strongly encourage you to seek out these opportunities. Partnering with military organizations for formal events is not only rewarding financially but also a chance to build lasting relationships with a highly engaged audience.

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Tips for Success

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  • Invest in Support Staff: Extra hands help keep the process smooth, from organizing attendees to encouraging selfie check-ins.
    โ€โ€
  • Leverage NowCandid Tools: Our workflows, like Selfie Check-In and advanced offers, make events efficient and client-focused.
    โ€โ€
  • Upsell Smartly: Use premium options like overlays, retouching, and print upgrades to maximize your per-participant revenue.
    โ€โ€
  • Engage Participants Early: Drive excitement and ensure attendees know how to access their photos before and after the event.

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Ready to Capture More Success?

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Military ball events are a prime opportunity to elevate your business, and NowCandid is here to support you every step of the way. If this story inspires you to explore similar opportunities, donโ€™t hesitate to reach out or dive into your local market to find events like these.

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Hereโ€™s to making 2025 your most successful year yet! ๐ŸŽ‰

Candy's Weekly Recap: New Image Timeline Stats, Capture App Update & More!๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŽ‰
Feature Updates
November 22, 2024

Candy's Weekly Recap: New Image Timeline Stats, Capture App Update & More!๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŽ‰

4
ย minutes read
Hello, my fabulous photographer friends!

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Candy here, ready to sprinkle some sparkle on your day with our latest Weekly Recap! ๐ŸŒŸ

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We've been hard at work enhancing your NowCandid experience, and while this week is a bit lighter on changes (we're cooking up some exciting things for January!), I've got all the juicy details right here. Let's dive in! ๐ŸŠโ€โ™€๏ธ

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1. New "Images per 15 Minutes" Stat on Image Timeline ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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We recently introduced the Image Timeline feature, and now we've made it even better!

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  • What's New: There's a new "Images per 15 Minutes" stat available.
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  • How to Access: You can find this by going to your Manage Images page within an event and clicking on the Image Timeline button (looks like a little stopwatch!).
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  • Why It Matters: This stat helps you visualize your (or your photographer's) shooting pace throughout the event, identifying peak activity times and lulls.

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2. Capture App Version 4.10 for Windows ๐Ÿ’ป

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We've released Version 4.10 for the Windows Capture App!

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  • Performance Improvements: This update includes various performance enhancements to make your capturing process smoother.
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  • Note: These updates weren't needed for the iOS version at this time.

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3. Manage Images Page Sorting Update ๐Ÿ—‚๏ธ

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We've improved the Manage Images page for better usability.

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  • New Default Sorting: Images now sort by newest first by default.
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  • Toggle Option: You can easily toggle to sort by older images first if you prefer.
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  • How to Use: Look for the new sorting button on the Manage Images page (a small button with up and down arrows!).

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4. Quick Access to Default Price Levels Spreadsheet ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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Setting up events just got a little easier!

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  • New Link: There's now a direct link to the Default Price Levels spreadsheet right from the Offer Selection dropdown during Event Creation.
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  • Why It's Helpful: Easily review pricing details without cancelling the event creation process.

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5. Image Uploader Now Detects Corrupt Files ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

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We've enhanced the reliability of our image uploading process.

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  • Corrupt File Detection: The image uploader now catches corrupt image files during image validation.
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  • Benefits: Prevents issues down the line by alerting you to any problematic files before theyโ€™re uploaded.

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We're always here to support you!

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So please, feel free to share your feedback or questions.

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Cheers and sparkles,

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Candy ๐Ÿฌ

Letโ€™s get in touch

If youโ€™re a photographer looking to add NowCandid services to your wheelhouse โ€“ 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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Whatโ€™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

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  • โ€

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