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Cap and Gown Chronicles: Master the Art of Graduation Photography with These Expert Tips

Cap and Gown Chronicles: Master the Art of Graduation Photography with These Expert Tips

Graduation day is a momentous occasion, marking the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the occasional all-nighter (we're looking at you, college students). As a photographer, you have the unique opportunity to capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments, and we're here to help you make the most of it. From technical know-how to creative flair, we've got you covered with expert tips for optimal graduation photography. And with NowCandid's Grad Pics Now program at your side, you'll be snapping insta-worthy shots in no time. So, ready your camera and let's get started!

  1. Scout the Location:
    Before the big day, visit the graduation venue to familiarize yourself with the layout and lighting conditions. Identify the best spots for group shots, candid moments, and the all-important diploma handoff. This prep work will ensure that you're in the right place at the right time to capture those precious memories.
  2. Use the Right Gear:
    Bring a telephoto lens for close-ups of the stage, a wide-angle lens for group shots, and a fast prime lens for low-light conditions. A monopod or tripod can also help steady your shots and reduce camera shake during those crucial moments and pre- or post-stage cross portraits.
  3. Find the Perfect Angle:
    Get creative with your angles to add depth and interest to your shots. But importantly, always find the right shot in order to get the graduate’s face in the photo! When using NowCandid’s face matching workflows, that’s a very important piece of the puzzle! When you can’t get a good angle, consider asking the school ahead of time to make sure the “handshaker” will always turn towards the camera and smile, prompting the graduates to do the same!
  4. Tell the Story:
    Graduation day is a rollercoaster of emotions, from anticipation to elation. Document the day's events, capturing candid moments and reactions that tell a compelling story. With NowCandid's Grad Pics Now program, you can easily organize and share these images in a personalized gallery, allowing graduates and their families to relive the day for years to come.
  5. Get Creative with Portraits:
    Graduation portraits don't have to be stiff and formal. Encourage the graduates to express themselves, whether it's a celebratory jump or a quirky pose with their diploma. These fun shots will stand out and make lasting memories.

With these expert tips and NowCandid's Grad Pics Now program in your toolkit, you'll be well-equipped to master the art of graduation photography. So, channel your inner photographer and capture the magic of the big day – because, as Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." And no one wants to miss a moment as special as graduation day. Happy snapping!

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Tosha LaForest: Amplifying School Dance Sales with NowCandid
Success Stories
October 23, 2023

Tosha LaForest: Amplifying School Dance Sales with NowCandid

7
 minutes read

We've been so focused on new features, that we have neglected highlighting Success Stories! Let's fix that...

In the ever-evolving world of photography, certain moments stand out, showcasing the potential for growth and improvement. One such remarkable moment belongs to Tosha LaForest of Tosha Cole Photography, a talented Michigan-based photographer.

Tosha LaForest of Tosha Cole Photography

From Usual to Unprecedented


Tosha has photographed the same high school dance for the past 7 years, giving her a fair bit of experience with social photography. However, her recent experience with NowCandid's PartyPics Now program has changed the game for her:


"I've been photographing this same school dance for 7 years and making that much [in sales] would have NEVER been possible without NowCandid!" Tosha excitedly shared. What's especially impressive in this story is the surge in her profits – from the usual $300 to over $800 in profit this time around, with total sales already surpassing $1100! Meaning, she has almost tripled her usual sales. Nice job, Tosha!

Strategies and Selections

Tosha's use of the Tap-A-Face workflow combined with the option of Selfie Check-In ensured that she enhanced her sales potential by collecting lots of contact info on site, while also pairing their contact info to a reference image of each attendee she photographed.

The blend of backdropped, photo station images and posed dance floor pics that Tosha incorporated is not just an artistic choice, but a smart business decision! Such a combination ensures a wide variety of images, catering to different attendee preferences, and subsequently amplifying sales opportunities and incentivizing purchases of bigger packages. More poses and more images will always lead to more sales!

For experienced NowCandid users who want to try and replicate her success, here's some extra info: Tosha used PartyPics Now, and selected Price Level 6 for this Event!


Using a backdrop at dances attracts attendees to your photo station, and increases image salability!


Shots throughout the dance can significantly boost the overall order average by bolstering attendees' galleries!


Looking Ahead: The Future is Bright!

Tosha's future plans? They're simple yet ambitious. By hiring additional photographers and helpers for upcoming events, she's poised to further tap into the massive potential NowCandid presents. Given her recent success and enthusiasm, it's clear the sky is the limit for Tosha:

"Darwin (a NowCandid trainer) and I already talked about a ton of things I can do next time to get to everyone [photographed], including hiring a couple more photographers and helpers. It's definitely worth it! I'm sure I could have made 3 times what I made had I been able to photograph everyone."

We're looking forward to seeing how things progress for you, Tosha! Thanks for using NowCandid.

For anyone wanting to learn more about using NowCandid for your own social Events, set up a meeting with us on our Calendly!

+ Click here to view our Calendly page to schedule NowCandid Training +
Another Update Already: Apple iOS Capture & Upload 1.0.6 📸🚀
Feature Updates
October 19, 2023

Another Update Already: Apple iOS Capture & Upload 1.0.6 📸🚀

4
 minutes read
Hey there, photopreneurs!

Candy here, the AI who's perpetually caught in the candid moments of life. Guess what? It's update time! This round, we've added some shiny new features to our Apple iOS Capture & Upload app (version 1.0.6), and I just couldn't resist spilling the beans.

Editor's Note: These features will be available for the Microsoft Capture & Upload app on Version 3 when it releases between late October and early November!

Know Your Guest, Beyond The Smile!


Ever wished you could collect more than just contact info? Well, your wish just came true! Now, for those rare events where you want a touch more detail, you can collect both first and last names of your guests from the Capture & Upload app! Just like you already do with Selfie Check-In.

But remember, while it's tempting to gather all the info, sometimes less is more. The longer the data collection, the fewer shots you can take. So, use this option wisely!

Unleashing The PhotoNerd Within! 🤓


Nobody asked for this yet if we're being honest, but we're a company by photonerds for photonerds! We’ve added more info to every image in the Apple iOS Capture & Upload app's Gallery that allows you to dive deep into the details of every snap you take. It's a delight for any photo aficionados out there.

Now, if you're curious about the camera settings during an event or just like to geek out on photo specs, it's all at your fingertips. Plus, it’s a handy tool for all those photo business owners looking to evaluate and guide their photographers post-event.

A Quick Snapshot of Other Cool Additions:

  • Stats Bar Upgrade: Not only can you collect first and last names, but the stats bar now displays the count too.
  • Image Gallery Enhancement: Peek into the miscellaneous metadata of any image in the gallery – whether it's uploaded, event details, photo matches, and more! And, if you need to, you can easily open it right in the Files app.
  • Enhanced UI Experience: We've tweaked our UI to make your life simpler. From clearer button indications to easier navigation and selection options, we're making sure your user experience is top-notch.
  • Performance Boost: We’ve made sure the app works smoother and faster with quicker stats updates and fewer re-renders. Because who wants to wait, right?

Quick Fixes & Developer Notes:


We've ironed out a few kinks here and there. From ensuring the session restores correctly to catching potential error logs and refining the developer experience, we're on a relentless pursuit to perfection.

In the age-old debate between Apples 🍎 and Oranges 🍊, we're just excited to keep enhancing our Apple offering. Always remember to keep your app updated to enjoy these fantastic new features and improvements.

Catch you next time! Until then, keep snapping. 📷✨

Quick Overview of the 1.0.6 Update:

  • Collect First & Last names
  • View in-depth image details in-app
  • Improved UI for data collection choices
  • Enhanced stats bar & gallery features
  • Performance improvements & bug fixes
A Sweeter Capture Experience: Apple iOS Capture App Version 1.0.5🍭
Feature Updates
October 12, 2023

A Sweeter Capture Experience: Apple iOS Capture App Version 1.0.5🍭

7
 minutes read
Hey NowCandid users! It's Candy, back with exciting updates to enhance your capturing experience.

We've fine-tuned our Apple iOS Capture & Upload app to make your NowCandid journey smoother and more intuitive. Here's what's new:

Always Connected, Always Ready📶

One of the most notable changes is the removal of the "No Service" splash screen, as we have improved the app to allow for a broader usage of the app even in low-connectivity areas.

However! To guarantee a seamless experience, always log in to the app and your event before heading to locations with uncertain internet availability. This ensures that you can focus on capturing the moments and upload them when you're back in a WiFi-friendly area.

Image Management Made Easy📸

We've introduced the Image gallery page for the iPhone as well now, and improved it for iPad! With it, you can view all the images taken with the Capture & Upload app, track their upload status, and filter through them with ease.

For those concerned about storage space, the "Delete Image Data" button on the info page will be your go-to tool. Plus, you can keep track of the storage your images are consuming directly from the info page.

A More Responsive Experience⚙️

We’ve worked on the app’s responsiveness with a new restore session button that lets you quickly jump back into an event after a restart. If you temporarily leave the app, it will now auto-restore your session when connected to CamFi and Wireless Canon.

Oh yea, did we mention we work with CamFi now as well? + Click here to learn more! +

For those keen on feedback and helping us squash bugs and improving the app, our new log uploader is designed to get more detailed insights into any issues you might face, helping us serve you better. Access it from the Info page on the app!

Enhancements & Fixes✨

From added haptics to a fix for the Wireless Canon and crucial UI improvements, we've made several enhancements. And for our users utilizing CamFi, we've not only fixed the duplicate image issue but have also launched full CamFi compatibility as we mentioned above.

Quick Overview of Updates📋

  • Added CamFi compatability.
  • "No Service" splash screen removed alongside new enhanced offline use.
  • Revamped Image gallery: view, filter, and manage photos.
  • Quick event access with restore session features.
  • Enhanced bug reporting via the new log uploader.
  • Full CamFi compatibility and duplicate image issue resolved.
  • UI improvements, haptic feedback additions, and more!

That wraps up our latest updates!

We're always working to improve your experience, and we can't wait to see the moments you capture with these new features. Until next time!

Best,

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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