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Expanding Your Photography Business with NowCandid: Exploring Niche Opportunities

Expanding Your Photography Business with NowCandid: Exploring Niche Opportunities
In the world of professional photography, niche events often present untapped opportunities that can be both rewarding and profitable.

With NowCandid's innovative services and systems, photographers can now explore these niche markets with confidence, creating new business avenues that were previously considered unviable. Here’s how you can leverage NowCandid to seek out and thrive in niche photography opportunities.

The Power of NowCandid in Niche Markets

1. Military Deployments

The United States military has troops deployed in countries all over the world, with over 150,000 troops typically stationed outside the US at any given time. Many members of the US military, essentially, take turns being stationed at these international locations. When a new group is about to be sent out on deployment, they will often have a deployment ceremony, and notably, these deployment ceremonies are not often well-photographed - despite being great portrait opportunities.

Members of the military will often be wearing their uniforms, many of their friends and family will attend the Event, and there are often high-ranking political or military figures speaking at the ceremony as well. Basically, it can be a big deal! Anecdotally, one deployment ceremony we attended in Oklahoma City for a group of troops being deployed to Africa for a year filled out the Paycom Center (where the Oklahoma City Thunder, an NBA team, competes). The governor of Oklahoma at the time as well as several other high-ranking figures spoke at the ceremony.

Once the ceremony concluded, all the families and military members in their uniforms spent the next hour or so taking pictures of each other with their phones, struggling to get good lighting, avoid wind, avoid a crowd in the background, etc. It was a perfect opportunity for professional photographers to provide their services, though there were none to be found.

By being aware of a deployment ceremony happening in your area, you could work your way into the Event as a portrait photographer, setting up multiple portrait stations at the Event. Military deployments are deeply emotional and significant events for families and service members, and people are generally dressed in uniforms and formal outfits. Capturing these moments can be nearly historical for those involved, and providing professional photography services will be MUCH appreciated by those photographed.

The prices you set are up to you, but by providing images for sale in real-time to these subjects, you can both provide a very appreciated service to those about to be deployed, as well as generate some amazing revenue for your photography business.

2. Community Fairs and Carnivals

Community fairs and carnivals are vibrant and bustling with activities. However, these events often lack professional photography services. With NowCandid's real-time photo delivery you can deliver images and fun instantly to attendees.

There are two ways to approach this, either being paid substantially upfront by the Event's organizers or sponsors to provide free and instant images to subjects via QuicPics...

OR using PartyPics Now to instantly deliver image galleries where subjects can purchase downloads and physical products to generate revenue in that way instead.

Which of these two methods is more profitable really depends on the Event and the situation - but feel free to Contact Us to discuss which might be profitable for your specific Event! We are always here to help.

3. Fitness Community Events

The fitness community thrives on events like marathons, CrossFit competitions, and triathlons. While large marathons are typically already covered by photographers, the smaller events are perfect for professional photography, as well.

These communities have large social medial audiences and are in constant need of images that are capturing the determination and achievements of participants. So, providing the images you take to the event organizers is always a selling point.

And thanks to Selfie Check-In and NowCandid's Face Matching, you can easily distribute and sell action photos you take of these athletes and competitors to generate significant revenue! Participants love to buy action photo downloads to share their accomplishments on social media.

4. Craft and Art Fairs

Craft and art fairs showcase the creativity and talent of local artisans. By getting a booth space at a fair such as this, you can be accomplishing two things at once!

  1. You can promote your photography business to the outgoing and socialite-infused crowd that tends to visit craft and art fairs, and demonstrate what you're capable of both in terms of skill and technology (thanks to your partners at NowCandid!). This could lead to lots of brand awareness and future bookings for you and your photography company.
  2. In the process of demonstrating your photography skills and technology, you will be taking portraits of subjects and selling them! Having a nice backdrop, a professional camera, and maybe some props can lead to some pretty sellable photos that fair-goers just might purchase!

5. Hobby Conventions and Immersive Experience Events

Hobby conventions, such as comic book conventions and gaming events, are filled with passionate participants and selfie stations that aren't typically staffed by photographers. These events are perfect for professional photography, capturing the unique and vibrant atmosphere.

In addition, anime conventions, comic conventions, gaming conventions, and renaissance fairs are loaded with people in well-designed costumes that took lots of hard work and preparation. By taking professional photos of these individuals, you can generate a lot of sales, as they may want the physical photo products you provide or the high-quality digital downloads that they could post to social media right away.

Plus, you can always provide photos to the Event organizer at the end as well, giving them promotional content for future Events of their own.

Making Niche Events Profitable with NowCandid

NowCandid's advanced technology and real-time delivery system make it possible to turn previously unprofitable niche events into lucrative opportunities. Here's how:

  • Instant Image Delivery: Attendees receive their photos instantly, making them more likely to purchase and share these images.
  • Well-Composed Images: Professional photos enhance the value of the event and are desirable mementos for attendees.
  • Data Collection: Collecting attendee data allows for targeted marketing of their photos, directing them to their pictures the moment they click a marketing link.
  • Physical Products: NowCandid provides a wide variety of photo products your subjects can purchase, giving everybody regardless of differing tastes something to get excited about.
  • LiveLoop Feature (Optional): Displaying images via slideshow in real-time during certain kinds of Events adds excitement and encourages more attendees to participate in photo sessions.

Conclusion

By leveraging NowCandid's innovative tools and workflows, photographers can successfully tap into niche markets that were previously considered unprofitable. From military deployments to community fairs, fitness events, and immersive experiences, the possibilities are endless. NowCandid not only enhances the event experience for attendees but also provides photographers with a profitable and sustainable business model.

Ready to explore new opportunities and expand your photography business?

Connect with us at NowCandid and discover how our services can help you capture and capitalize on every moment. If you have any questions or need further assistance, our support team is here to help you succeed.

https://calendly.com/nowcandid-training

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Smarter, Not Bigger: How One Photographer Increased Graduation Sales with Fewer Participants Using NowCandid™
Success Stories
June 30, 2025

Smarter, Not Bigger: How One Photographer Increased Graduation Sales with Fewer Participants Using NowCandid™

6
 minutes read

When a long-time graduation photography business decided to switch an event they’d covered for years to NowCandid’s plaatform, the results were impressive.

Despite a significant drop in graduates at this ceremony, this studio has outperformed last year’s total sales, thanks to smarter systems, easier check-ins, and a smoother experience for families.

🎓 The Challenge

Capturing a graduation is always a high-volume, high-pressure operation. For years, this photography business relied on pre-registration lists and manual image matching. But getting enough students to register ahead of time was always a hurdle—and every missed check-in meant lost revenue.

With parents and schools expecting a faster, more polished experience, the team knew they needed a better way to deliver.

✅ The Solution

This year, they went all in with NowCandid’s smart, automated workflow:

  • • Selfie Check-In™ for faster, more flexible student identification
  • • Automated galleries and image matching, cutting down post-event sorting time
  • • Mobile-optimized customer galleries with tiered pricing offers
  • • Real-time reporting and clearer communication with the school

And the big win? Selfie Check-In™ now gives graduates up to 60 days after the event to register their photo—capturing stragglers who might otherwise never see their images.

📊 The Results

Here’s how the numbers stack up compared to last year:

  • • NUMBER OF GRADUATES:  -10%
  • • SALES PER PARTICIPANT:  +39%
  • • ORDER AVERAGE:  +29%

The graduation's 2025 sales over the past 45 days has already exceeded their 2024 sales over 365 days by 26%.

Meaning, their total sales are up 26% with plenty of time to increase going forward.

By giving families more time and an easier path to find their photos, the studio saw higher average order values, better sales per participant, and less manual work for their team—even with fewer students overall.

💬 What the Studio Noticed

  • • Time savings: Fewer employees needed to manage sign-ups on site.
  • • Lower labor costs: Less time chasing registrations, more focus on shooting.
  • • Less customer service: Fewer retail support calls, because NowCandid helps with those!
  • • Happier schools: Schools loved the modern process and the extra contact info for staying connected with new grads.

🎯 Their Biggest Wins

When asked what they’d tell another studio thinking about making the switch, the owner put it simply:

“What are you waiting for? We increased sales, lowered our labor costs, and made the process easier for everyone.”

They added that the extended Selfie Check-In™ window alone made a huge difference:

“Being able to register students up to 60 days after the event helped us capture sales we would have missed.”

Would they use this workflow again?

“100%.”

🚀 Wrap-Up

This photo business proves that growth isn’t always about shooting more photos or booking bigger crowds. Sometimes, it’s about working smarter—using tools that connect families with their memories faster and easier than ever.

👉 Ready to see what NowCandid™ can do for your next graduation event? Start here »

Weekly Recap: Retail Refinements, Product Pricing, and BGR Upgrades
Feature Updates
June 27, 2025

Weekly Recap: Retail Refinements, Product Pricing, and BGR Upgrades

6
 minutes read
Hey there, it’s Candy!

This week’s update brings smoother retail experiences, friendlier pricing on customer favorites like statuettes, and a full refresh of how background-removed images (BGR) work across the site.

Let’s dive into what’s new!

🖼️ BGR x Retail: A More Intuitive, Sellable Experience

Big changes have landed to make Background Removed (BGR) images shine where it matters... in your customers’ galleries and carts.

Here’s what changed:

  • BGR Renders in Personal Gallery Downloads: Pre-rendered BGR images are now included in the downloadable gallery, making products more attractive and support calls less frequent.
  • 🔄 Smarter Image Order in Retail Gallery:
    1. Background 1 pre-renders
    2. Cutouts with "Select a Background" labels
    3. Original Images
    4. Backgrounds 2–4 Pre-Rendered
    5. Group Photos / PhotoTagged images
  • 🛍️ Smarter Package Image Selection:
    • Pre-rendered BGR images now appear during image selection for packages.
    • Ordering of images follows the same flow as above, bringing consistency across the experience.
  • 📱 Mobile Background Step Skipped:
    • Pre-renders act more like real images now, with background selection skipped on Mobile devices to reduce confusion.
    • Background selection still available on Desktop
  • 💡 Visual Cue for BGRs:
    • BGR images now feature a subtle “Select a Background” overlay to help guide customer expectations and improve product engagement.

Theme: Liquorice

🏷️ Product Pricing Updates (Including Lower Statuette Costs!)

We've made changes to product pricing and shipping rates, with statuettes dropping over 40% in product cost!

Some costs have gone up slightly, but others went down—here’s a rundown of the biggest changes:

🧾 Highlights:

  • 📉 5×7 Statuette: $12.24 → $6.97 (↓ 43.06%)
  • 📉 8×10 Statuette: $17.21 → $9.97 (↓ 42.05%)
  • 📈 Travel Mug: $11.09 → $12.19 (↑ 9.92%)
  • 📈 16×20 Hanging Metal Print: $66.42 → $71.83 (↑ 8.15%)
  • 📉 11×14 Group Print (Shipping): $7.25 → $7.00 (↓ 3.45%)

More detailed breakdown at the end of the post!

🧍‍♂️ Live Statuette Previews with Cutout Images

When a customer selects a BGR image, statuettes & acrylic cutout magnets will now render in real time using their PNG cutout—just like our other dynamically-rendering products!

No more generic preview. What they see is what they’ll get. 👌

Theme: Liquorice

🎆 New Retail Theme: Pop Rocks (Just in Time for the 4th of July!)

Get ready to light up your storefront! Our brand-new Pop Rocks retail theme has officially launched—a bold, dark mode layout featuring an eye-catching fireworks background.

It’s the perfect festive look for Independence Day events, summer festivals, or any celebration that deserves some extra sparkle.

This theme brings:

  • 🌌 A sleek dark interface that makes photos pop
  • 🎇 A dynamic fireworks background for an instant party vibe
  • 🛍️ The same easy shopping experience with a more celebratory feel

Photographers can enable Pop Rocks from the Custom Offer Creator under Theme Settings—just in time to make your July events feel a little more explosive. 💥

Found via a Custom Offer's Editor

📚 Resources Page Reimagined

The Resources section has been split into five focused pages to remove clutter and confusion:

  • Every button is now better labeled with detailed descriptions so you know exactly what it does and why it matters.

Better clarity = better confidence!

🖼️ New Product Render Creator Tool

Found under Marketing Materials (in the new Resources section), this lets you:

  • Upload a sample image
  • Generate live product previews
  • Download and use those previews for your own promotional content

Perfect for flyers, social posts, or emails. 📣

Upload your own pics, and click the products to download them!

👥 Contact Stats Now More Accurate

Going forward, the system now tracks Participants vs Additional Contacts more accurately in new events. While this doesn’t retroactively change old events, future reports will give you a clearer picture of who engaged with your Event and how.

📝 Full List of Pricing Changes

Here’s the full breakdown of this week’s product/shipping adjustments:

That’s everything for this week!

The BGR improvements and new marketing tools are sure to make your Events feel sharper, simpler, and more sellable than ever.

Until next time,

📣 Candy

Introducing JerseyJotter™: Your New MVP for Sports Galleries
SportPics
June 24, 2025

Introducing JerseyJotter™: Your New MVP for Sports Galleries

5
 minutes read
Let’s be real—sports events can be chaotic.

You’re out there capturing incredible moments: diving saves, finish line sprints, sideline smiles… and by the time you upload your gallery, it’s packed to the brim with action shots.

But then comes the big question: How will parents, athletes, and coaches find their photos quickly and easily?

That’s where JerseyJotter™ comes in to save the day—and your gallery.

💡 What Is JerseyJotter™?

JerseyJotter™ is NowCandid’s brand-new feature that automatically adds searchable filters to the All Images Gallery of SportsPics Events.

It does two things:

🎽 Color Recognition

Detects the primary shirt or jersey color worn in each image.

🔢 Number Recognition

Pulls jersey numbers or racing bibs straight from the photo.

🛠️ Total Control at Your Fingertips

You choose how JerseyJotter™ works for each event:

✅ Turn on Color only
✅ Turn on Number only
✅ Or use both for the dream team combo
✅ And yes—you can toggle them off if needed

It works with both Positive ID and Face Matching Events... just make sure your All Images Gallery is turned on!

🔍 Why You’ll Love It

With JerseyJotter™, customers can:

  • • Instantly filter photos by jersey number or color
  • • Zero in on their athlete without wading through hundreds of lookalikes
  • • Enjoy a more personal, efficient shopping experience (when they don't have a personal gallery)

And for you? Less “Can you help me find #22?” emails. 🎉

📸 Who’s It For?

JerseyJotter™ is a game-changer for:

  • • Sports leagues
  • • School teams
  • • Track meets
  • • Dance competitions
  • • Martial arts tournaments
  • • Basically any event where participants wear numbers or uniforms

⚡ Final Whistle

We built JerseyJotter™ to help you deliver better All Image galleries. It’s smart, seamless, and designed with real photographers (and real parents) in mind.

Ready to see it in action? Log into your NowCandid Dashboard and try it out on your next SportsPics Event!

The NowCandid™ Team
Smarter Tools. Sharper Galleries. Happy Parents.

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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