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Grad Season 2024 Mid-Season Report: Small Grads Outperforming Expectations

Grad Season 2024 Mid-Season Report: Small Grads Outperforming Expectations

We have talked about graduations a lot in our blog posts lately, as we try to help photographers be as prepared as possible for graduation season this year. And now, it's time to look at some numbers, and see what kinds of Events are performing well so far. After which, we'll discuss the findings.

Small Graduations Leading the Way 🌟

As the title implies, small graduations (graduations in the 50-250 graduate range) have been some of the top performers so far this grad season. While some larger graduations have more total sales overall thanks to the large number of participants, certain smaller graduations have sales per graduate averages that blow large graduations out of the water.

Below are a few examples of GradPics Now graduations that have taken place in either April or May of this year. Keep in mind these are sales so far and being these Events are recent, these numbers will continue to rise.

Note: Many details have been removed, summarized, or approximated to preserve privacy for all parties involved with these Events.

  • An Oklahoma Medical School Graduation
    • ~100 graduates
    • ~$48 sales per graduate
    • ~$4,800 in sales

  • A Kansas Medical School Graduation
    • ~150 graduates
    • ~$49 sales per graduate
    • ~$7,350 in sales

  • A Texas Ring Ceremony
    • ~200 graduates
    • ~$46.50 sales per graduate
    • ~$9,300 in sales

  • A Louisiana High School Graduation
    • ~75 graduates
    • ~$31 sales per graduate
    • ~$2,325 in sales

  • A Small Arkansas College Graduation
    • ~250 graduates
    • ~$31.50 sales per graduate
    • ~$7,875 in sales

5 quick examples, 5 different locations, and even some variety in terms of the type of ceremony. But all of them were relatively small. And yet, their sales per graduate averages far exceed the $20 sales per graduate benchmark we expect photographers to hit when doing a good job of implementing GradPics Now's best practices.

Why Are Small Graduations Excelling? 🤔

Are these more intimate graduation ceremonies more conducive to better photography? OR, is this a question of staffing? Perhaps it is simply easier to execute Selfie Check-In well, and take more pictures per graduate when there are fewer graduates to photograph. Several of these top-performing Events are related to medical schools; could that demographic have a lot of overlap with photo-buyers?

As always, the answer is likely a mix of all the above. However, I suspect that the most influential factor is the staffing.

Many photographers, especially those using NowCandid, are either just branching out into graduations for the first time or are just beginning their journey of scaling up and growing their photo business. To maximize your graduation sales, you need good quality pictures and a lot of them. Getting a strong image per graduate count is one of the best ways to improve your sales and sales per graduate averages - second only to doing a good job with Selfie Check-In for the Event.

Photographers that are new to graduations or still working to grow their business likely cannot send a large enough staff to large graduation ceremonies to cover them as effectively as the same staff could cover a smaller graduation. With a better photographer-to-graduate ratio, it becomes easier to focus on getting good pictures and increasing your image per graduate averages, and thus, better sales per graduate averages.

What This Means for You 📊

All in all, following the best practices we have outlined in our recent graduation-related posts are the best ways to increase your graduation sales and to provide both yourself and your customers with a smooth, streamlined graduation experience:

But perhaps we have not talked enough about proper staffing, as the exceptional averages at certain smaller ceremonies outshining NowCandid's larger ceremony averages are noteworthy.

And of course, maybe most importantly of all, is to realize that small graduations can be extremely lucrative when care is put into them! So, consider booking some of the smaller graduations you may have shied away from in the past. Plus, it can be helpful to avoid putting all your eggs into just a few large graduations you have. Schools can be fickle, and you never know when one may decide to switch providers.

That's all for now!

Happy snapping,

Jack III

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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 LiiveLoop 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 QuicPics.

💻 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 🍬

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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
How to customize formatting for each rich text

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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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