Scanner Identification Now Available in Our Microsoft Store App
By
Jack C.
on
December 1, 2022
|
7
minute read
We have a new update now available for the Now Candid Microsoft Store App! This update has several quality of life changes and logging improvements, but the main change is that Scanner Identification has finally been implemented!
Scanner Identification is a system that positively IDs images to your customers using, as the name implies, a scanner to scan a customer’s QR card.
When setting up your event you can generate these QR cards (more on that later) that your customers can scan with their phone to input their contact information. From there, the info & QR code are linked. Any time a QR code is scanned by the photographer that starts a session, and all subsequent photos taken will be matched to that contact info until another QR code is scanned.
At this time, Scanner Identification will only be usable with Sports Pics Now and Portraits Now. During event creation, when one of those two programs have been selected, you’ll choose either the “Tap A Face & Selfie Registration” option, or the “Scanner Identification” option. Once Scanner Identification has been selected and the event created, you’ll be able to input how many QR cards you need and a PDF will be generated with that many cards.
You’ll want to print out the PDF on perforated paper such as this 4 up card paper found on Amazon to more easily distribute cards without manually cutting all the paper.
The Scanner Identification workflow does require an LTE tablet! It’s required both as a device to connect your scanner to and as a way to upload your images live at the event so that guests can have links to buy their images moments after their session ends! Since facial recognition is not being used, galleries will be sent even more quickly and with 100% of the images taken during the session.
If you happen to have a very poor internet connection at your event, bringing the tablet and camera to a location with a strong internet connection after the event will send up all the images at that time! Paired to the data you scanned with it at the time of taking the image.
Hey there, it's Candy, your guide to the world of NowCandid!
Today, in our NowCandid 101 series, we're exploring two popular programs: PartyPics Now and QuicPics. Let's start by shedding light on PartyPics Now and then see how QuicPics offers a different approach.
PartyPics Now: A Sales-Focused Approach
Sales-Driven Model: PartyPics Now is designed for photographers looking to monetize their photography at social events through selling digital and physical photo products. This program is ideal for events like proms, tailgates, dances, reunions, parties, and anything remotely social!
Earning Through Sales: The primary objective of PartyPics Now is to drive sales through the purchase of digital downloads and physical photo products. Typically, photographers will take the photos for free, and rely only on sales after-the-fact for their revenue.
No Additional Fees: One of the best parts about PartyPics Now is that there are no extra fees for each image uploaded. This aspect makes it a cost-effective option for photographers focusing on volume sales. We only make money when you make money, making it easy to make a profit.
QuicPics: A Service-Oriented Model
Direct Delivery Model: QuicPics differentiates itself by delivering digital images directly to the event participants via text and email. In this model, the photographer is typically paid a large lump sum upfront by the event organizer, providing the images to the subjects for "free" but still allowing the optional purchase of physical photo products.
Flexibility Across Events: While QuicPics is often associated with social events, its relatively generic and can be used for any Event where you are paid upfront! Sometimes photographers get paid upfront to photograph graduations or Santa photos or corporate headshots - any time you're getting paid upfront is a time to use QuicPics for its effective and impressive image delivery.
Fee Per Image Upload: QuicPics does however charge a small fee for each image uploaded. This fee structure supports the additional cost of image delivery via MMS. Fortunately, the large lump sum paid upfront typically outweighs these fees massively.
Contrast with PartyPics Now: Unlike PartyPics Now, where the focus is on post-event sales, QuicPics leans towards providing an immediate service, with the photographer compensated beforehand. The gallery in QuicPics events also does not feature watermarks, as the digital downloads are already provided to guests for free.
Wrapping It Up:
In summary, PartyPics Now is your go-to for a sales-driven approach, focusing on monetizing your photography skills at various social events.
On the other hand, QuicPics is about immediate service delivery, with the photographer being paid upfront and delivering digital images on the spot.
Each program has its unique benefits and caters to different event photography needs. Choosing the right one depends on your business model and event type.
Does a school not have the budget to hire you for a prom? Photograph it for free, and rely on sales to make your money.
Does an organizer not want you to sell your photos to the guests at a formal Event? Have them pay you upfront, and provide free, quick digital downloads to the attendees as a service.
As always, if you're unsure or need more guidance, I'm here to help!
Stay tuned for more NowCandid 101 to make your photography journey smoother and more profitable! 📸🌈
New Orleans Event Photography, led by the dynamic duo of Amy Lombardo and Brian Junod, has had quite the success at a recent social Event!
Though they had successfully covered this annual social Event in 2022, their experience and preparation, combined with NowCandid's improvements over the past year, led to over a 60% increase in sales covering the same Event in 2023.
Left: Amy Lombardo Right: Brian Junod
The Backstory
New Orleans Event Photography embarked on their NowCandid journey just a week before covering the same annual social event in 2022.
Despite the brief preparation period, they managed to prepare Microsoft Surface Go tablets to utilize NowCandid’s Tap-A-Face, connected to the internet via LTE hotspot, to generate over $15,000 in sales. Typically, devices with LTE built-in are highly recommended, but in a pinch, an LTE hotspot works!
This impressive feat marked just the beginning of their journey with NowCandid! Their 2023 results were even more impressive.
Elevating Sales through Education and Experience
Building on their initial success, the team sought to deepen their understanding of NowCandid's capabilities through workshops and mentorships. This proactive approach was key to their remarkable 60% sales increase.
"With the mentorships and workshops we have done over the past year, we have grown the sales of the same event over 60%," they reported. This educational commitment catapulted their sales from over $15,000 in 2022 to over $25,000 in 2023.
It's worth mentioning that their profit (before paying their photographers & crew) was well over $20,000. An almost 83% profit margin! Not bad for an Event where they were only taking photos for 5 hours.
What were some of the lessons learned through workshops and mentorships?
Putting some of the more nuanced lessons aside, the basics were: more photographers, more images taken, using LTE-enabled tablets, and knowing when and how to utilize Selfie Check-In.
While in 2022 New Orleans Event Photography had 4-5 photographers at the Event, in 2023 they had 7 photographers in total, with approximately 7 additional crew members there for support.
Additional photographers allowed a significant increase in poses and images taken, while the additional crew streamlined the Event and allowed them to garner hundreds of Selfie Check-Ins as attendees arrived at the Event. Amy & Brian could not have succeeded at this Event without the help of their awesome photographers and crew!
By having additional crew present to acquire Selfie Check-Ins, the photographers did not need to spend as much time on tapping faces (though there were still plenty of Tap-A-Face entries at their Event as well) allowing them time to take even more images.
What New Orleans Event Photography Liked Most About NowCandid:
Focusing on the Photography
One of the standout features that Amy and Brian emphasized was the ability of NowCandid to simplify the complexities of the photo sales process. This allowed them and their team to concentrate fully on their photography and increasing their volume.
"It is nice to be able to just focus on the photography aspect knowing that the sales, marketing, and technical features are being handled by NowCandid," they shared. This focus on photography ensured thorough and professional coverage of the event, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Ease of Use and Customer Satisfaction
The intuitive nature of NowCandid played a significant role in streamlining their workflow and enhancing customer satisfaction.
"Our customers have loved the experience of instantly receiving their photo proofs and being able to order on the spot," Amy & Brian noted. Instant gallery delivery not only simplified the process for the photographers, but also delighted their clients.
Responsive Improvements and Growth
Over the past year, New Orleans Event Photography witnessed firsthand the evolution of NowCandid's Capture & Upload app.
"The NowCandid crew listens to feedback and has vastly improved the application since we first used it a year ago," they acknowledged. This responsiveness to user feedback demonstrates NowCandid’s commitment to continuous improvement, aligning with the evolving needs of professional photographers.
The story of New Orleans Event Photography and NowCandid is one of collaboration, innovation, and remarkable growth.
Their journey showcases how the right tools, combined with a focus on quality and customer satisfaction, can lead to exceptional outcomes in event photography.
It's time for another session of NowCandid 101. Today, we're diving into the Capture & Upload app. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the NowCandid universe, understanding this tool is key to utilizing NowCandid effectively.
The Two Primary Functions of the Capture & Upload App:
Tethering and Uploading:
The device running the Capture & Upload app tethers to your Nikon, Sony, or Canon cameras.
Images are uploaded to the cloud as you take photos, ready for immediate marketing and sales. 🌐💫
This not only boosts sales, but also cuts down on post-event workload, and enhances your customer experience.
It pairs photos with your subjects, ensuring every photo finds its way to the right phone or inbox, right away. 📲
Platform Availability and Recommendations:
You can find the app on both Apple and Microsoft App Stores.
Whether a Microsoft Surface Go 3, or an Apple 10th Generation iPad, the app functionality is essentially the same - though the Apple experience may be a bit more consistent.
Compatible with iPads, iPhones, and Windows tablets (like the trusty Surface Go 3).
A pro tip: Opt for an LTE-enabled device to stay connected and upload images in real-time, saving you from poor venue WiFi quality and troublesome WiFi hotspots. 🌍✨
Using the Selfie Check-In Workflow? The app here is optional but highly recommended.
It allows for live-uploading, adding an extra layer of efficiency. However, you can also choose to upload images post-event using the NowCandid Web Dashboard. Once uploaded, images match with Selfies and begin marketing right away.
In the dynamic world of event photography, staying ahead is all about using the right tools effectively.
The Capture & Upload app is one such tool, designed to make your work easier, faster, and more profitable. So why wait? Embrace the future of photography with NowCandid’s Capture & Upload app, and watch your business soar! 🚀🌟
That's it for today's NowCandid 101. Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and insights to keep your photography business on the cutting edge. Links to view the app store pages for each version of the app can be found below:
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