HomeNavigation arrowBlogNavigation arrow
Current page
Success Stories

Holiday Gear Up

Holiday Gear Up
Are you ready for the Holiday Season?

Maybe not since we have roughly 10 weeks to go. For most photographers, the winter months can bring a noticeable slowdown, but this also presents the perfect opportunity to seize seasonal event opportunities like Santa Portraits and holiday parties.

These festive events are in high demand, and with the right tools, you can make the most out of them!

We want to share a success story from a Santa Portrait Event that took place in the last few years, along with how NowCandid’s Workflows can help you maximize your success this holiday season.

Santa Portrait Station Success

Rachel S., a photography business owner from South Florida, a few years ago landed a Santa Portrait event at a Zoo and turned it into a HUGE win. With Candid's Scanner ID Workflow, Rachel was able to use the same techniques of a typical sports or school picture day and apply them to the Holiday Zoo Lights Santa Event.

To manage the event, Rachel used the Scanner ID Workflow, and generated blank QR cards to pass out to people while they waited in line.

The QR codes were scanned by the guests who then paired their contact info with their QR code! Once they got to the front of the line, Rachel's photographers would scan the next guest's QR with their tethered device, and then take their photos!

The device tethered to the camera would then upload the photos right after they were taken!

With the contact info and pictures both in the system, gallery links were then automatically texted directly to the subjects, right away.

Overall, this event garnered over $42,000 in it's first year!!! Not bad for a couple weeks of work!

NowCandid Workflows: Make Your Holiday Events a Breeze

One of the key elements to success in high-volume holiday events is efficiency—and that’s where NowCandid’s Workflows come into play.

These workflows streamline the process of capturing, organizing, and delivering photos, allowing you to focus more on your artistry and client experience.

Here are two workflows you’ll want to use during your Santa sessions and holiday parties:

  1. Scanner ID: The Workflow Rachel used! It's great for efficiently collecting guest contact info while they are in line, letting you move the line along more quickly OR have more time available for additional photos. Contact info is essential for instant image delivery and post-shoot marketing.
  2. Type & Take: This works similarly to the Scanner ID Workflow, except you type the subject's contact info into your tethered device before photographing them. It is not as time efficient at Scanner ID, but it doesn't require you to print out many blank cards before the event!

Seasonal Retail Theme to Add to the Experience

The holiday fun doesn't stop at the event—it continues when your customers view and purchase their images! With our Candy Cane retail theme, your clients are immersed in the festive spirit as soon as they visit their personal image gallery.

Our themes include delightful touches like falling snowflakes, which gently drift across the screen. These animations help enhance the shopping experience and keep customers wrapped up in the magic of the season.

Theme: Candy Cane - Watermarking: Default

Use Overlay Art to Add a Special Touch

If you're looking to elevate the experience further, NowCandid offers Overlay Art, allowing you to add optional customized overlays to your clients' images.

These titles add a festive, personal touch to the photos, making them feel extra special, whether it's a corporate holiday party, a Santa session, or a family Christmas gathering.

Imagine sending clients their Santa Portraits, complete with a “Merry Christmas 2024” overlay or a custom-designed title that reflects the spirit of the season. It’s little touches like these that make clients feel valued and excited about your services—leading to more referrals and repeat business.

Why You Shouldn't Sleep on Holiday Opportunities

The holiday season offers some of the most lucrative photography opportunities of the year, especially when it comes to events like Santa Portrait sessions, corporate holiday parties or large family and friends gatherings.

With many photographers considering this time a "slow season," there's an opportunity to stand out from the crowd by offering fun, engaging photo experiences that families, organizations, and individuals will love.

Adding these events to your services can also build lasting relationships with your clients—because who doesn’t want to make holiday memories they’ll treasure forever?

Don't Miss Out: Prep for the Holidays Now

The key to success is preparation. Start planning your Santa sessions, promote your holiday event photography, and make sure you're using NowCandid’s powerful tools to handle your Events with ease.

And remember: festive cheer isn’t just for clients. By embracing the holiday season and seizing these photography opportunities, you can fill your calendar and finish the year strong.

Cheers, and may there be many holiday events in your future!

Candy 🍬

Related articles

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 🍬

QuicPics Just Got Quicker! 🚀
QuicPics
October 27, 2023

QuicPics Just Got Quicker! 🚀

2
 minutes read
Hey, photo fanatics!

Candy here, with a flash update (pun intended) that's going to rev up your NowCandid experience. Ready to capture the moment? 📸

Blink and You'll Miss It!


Using a Positive ID Workflow like Type & Take, Scanner ID, or Name Lookup? You're in for a treat! QuicPics images are now zooming to individuals at warp speed. We've supercharged the tech behind it so you can send those stunning shots faster than you can say "cheese!"

And for Face Matching Workflow Events using Tap-A-Face, Selfie Check-In, or FaceMatch Import - expect QuicPics images to sprint to your guests just a tad faster than before. Maybe not light-speed like our Positive ID pals, but definitely faster!

Sweet Savings Alert! 🍬


Did you catch our little tweak from last month? The fee for each uploaded image when using QuicPics dipped to just $0.20, down from $0.31. Savings, speed, and sensational images? Talk about a picture-perfect combo!

A friendly reminder: PartyPics Now, Portraits Now, GradPics Now, and SportsPics Now have absolutely zero fees per uploaded image. QuicPics is the only NowCandid Program that has any sort of fees!

Cheers to capturing moments even quicker, and keep those shutters snapping!

Stay snazzy,

Candy 🍭💜📷

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.

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