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LiveLoop: Our New Live-Slideshow Feature! 🎉

LiveLoop: Our New Live-Slideshow Feature! 🎉

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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Big News: Introducing QuicPics GO! 🌟
Feature Updates
August 30, 2024

Big News: Introducing QuicPics GO! 🌟

4
 minutes read
Hey, fabulous photographers! 🎉

Candy here with some sparkling news about a brand-new program that's just been added to the NowCandid family—introducing QuicPics GO! 🚀

You all know and love our QuicPics program, where you get paid upfront by an event organizer and deliver free downloads to your photo subjects throughout the event, all while still offering them the option to purchase physical products. It’s a fan favorite for those looking to provide an engaging, modern experience!

So, what’s new with QuicPics GO? 🤔

Well, the “GO” in QuicPics GO stands for Gallery Only! That’s right, this new program is designed to streamline the process by delivering just the image gallery link to your subjects—no individual MMS image files sent directly to them.

The QuicPics GO Gallery provides multiple ways for your subjects to download their free images, as well as the opportunity to purchase optional photo products, making sure they still have plenty of options to enjoy and share their favorite moments! 🎁

While this may be a less flashy approach, it’s perfect for those who are looking for a more cost-conscious solution, while still utilizing NowCandid's convenient Workflows & technologies to deliver free downloads to guests. 📷✨

Why choose QuicPics GO?

Affordable Pricing:

QuicPics GO offers a budget-friendly option with a fee of only 6 cents per image at this time of launch — that’s significantly lower than the 20 cents per image fee for standard QuicPics. Perfect for events where cost-conscious clients are looking for a great value!

Simple Experience:

While QuicPics provides that cool, interactive experience of receiving images via MMS throughout the event, QuicPics GO keeps it simple with just one link to the image gallery. It’s less flashy, but it gets the job done!

So whether you're working with a budget-conscious client or just looking for a way to offer a simpler service, QuicPics GO is here to provide that perfect middle ground. 🎈

Important Note:

Just like with QuicPics, you’ll need to have a credit card on file with your NowCandid account to use QuicPics GO. This ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience for everyone involved. 💳

Streamlined Free Checkout for QuicPics GO! 🚀

We’ve made grabbing your free QuicPics images easier than ever! While easy downloads are available directly from the site, we’ve also simplified the checkout process for those who prefer it. 🎉

Now, instead of filling out billing and shipping info for a $0 cart, all your subjects need is a cell phone number and email address to complete the free checkout.

Quick, convenient, and hassle-free—just the way it should be! 🖼️📲

We’re thrilled to bring you this new addition, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll make the most of it!

As always, if you have any questions or need a little help, just reach out. We’re here for you! 💌

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Big News: Introducing NowCandid’s All-New Web Dashboard! 🌟💻
Feature Updates
August 23, 2024

Big News: Introducing NowCandid’s All-New Web Dashboard! 🌟💻

9
 minutes read
Hey there, amazing photographers!

Candy here with the latest and greatest update in our “Big News” series. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Web Dashboard 2.0—the final piece in our massive overhaul of the entire NowCandid platform this year.

With this release, we’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! 🎉

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

A Whole New Experience 🚀

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

Offer Creation is one of the biggest additions to the new Dashboard, but since we’ve already covered that in a previous blog post (click here to read that blog post), let’s dive into the other exciting updates! 🌐

New Home Tab: Stay on Top of Everything 🏠

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. We’ve also rebuilt the Sales & Events reports from the ground up.

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

Expanded Event Management Tools 🎛️

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

Marketing History 📊

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.

Participant Management 👥

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.

Roster Uploads 📋

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)

Full-Resolution Image Downloads 📸

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.

Image Uploader Improvements 🖼️

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.

Custom Backgrounds 🌈

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.

Learn more in our (Custom Backgrounds blog post)

Full Frame Overlays 🎨

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

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

"Greek" Keyboard 🇬🇷

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.

Customizable QuicPics Texts ✉️

The “Your images are arriving soon” 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!

Event Management Portal: Selective Access for Photographers 🔑

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.

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

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

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 doesn’t even mention NowCandid—keeping things sleek and professional.

Private Shareable Gallery URL 🌐

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

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.

New Image Upload Tester 🧪

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.

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

Rebuilt UI for Key Pages 🎨

We’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!

And More to Come… 🔮

We’re not done yet, folks! There’s more exciting stuff on the way, so stay tuned for future updates.

We can’t wait to see how you use our new Web Dashboard to take your photography business to the next level.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, we’re here to help!

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Big News: Introducing Custom Backgrounds for Your Events! 🎨✨
Feature Updates
August 22, 2024

Big News: Introducing Custom Backgrounds for Your Events! 🎨✨

4
 minutes 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!

Cheers and sparkles,


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.

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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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