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Weekly Recap: Express Checkout Confirmations, Capture App Speed Testing, and a New Lightroom Classic Plugin

Weekly Recap: Express Checkout Confirmations, Capture App Speed Testing, and a New Lightroom Classic Plugin
Hey photo friends! 👋


This week’s updates are all about clearer customer actions, smoother retail performance, and new tools that speed up upload workflows. Plus, a strong round of Capture App polish (iOS & Android OTA) and some important Dashboard + Marketing fixes.

Let’s jump in. ✨

🛍️ Retail: Fewer Mis-clicks, Better Previews, Faster Feel

✅ Express Checkout confirmation (all express checkouts)

All express checkout flows now show a confirmation popup that clearly displays the shipping address selected, with options to place the order or go back. It also includes an invalid address popup.

Previously, people would sometimes purchase without double checking their express-checkout-method's default shipping address. So, this change is designed to reduce address mistakes and improve customer experience!

Confirmation popup now clearly displays shipping address confirmation.

🧠 Better UI + performance improvements

  • Improved local rendering (performance, memory usage, and task handling) — originally aimed to improve the retail experience on low-end devices, but it should make most devices feel faster!

  • Native “leave page” confirmation on supported browsers/devices (desktop + Samsung back button) when navigating away from an event page (refresh/back).

Leave page confirmation

🖼️ Clearer package download expectations + better pickers

  • Personal Gallery Downloads on store sheet and package editor now show “+X Images” in the configurator when there are more than 4 images—so customers don’t think they only get what’s previewed.

Personal Gallery Download "+X Images"

    • Personal Gallery Download products inside packages can now be clicked to preview contents.

    • Desktop product/package image pickers are now two columns (like mobile), allowing larger image preview during selection.

    Larger two column image previews

      • Image Filters landing popup now includes “Browse all photos without a filter” so customers who think they must pick a filter know they can also just browse!

      Image Filters landing popup

      🧩 Retail fixes worth noting

      • Fixed a slashed discount amount showing on week 3 when there is no higher amount.
      • Fixed a GalleryGuard edge case that could close the retail site on some Android devices that support mobile context menus when long-pressing.
      • Fixed a race condition where a Group-by-Face gallery loaded from URL params could show default results instead of the filtered view.
      • Fixed an edge case where manually assigned images marked as group could behave like non-group images on retail.

      📱 Capture App OTA: 5.6.1 & 5.6.2 (iOS & Android)

      🌐 NEW: Network Speed Test (5.6.1)

      A new Network Speed Test button is available in Resources. Tap Run Test to check download speed, upload speed, and latency to NowCandid servers (so results may differ from Google/Ookla). It’s a quick test (downloads 5 MB, uploads 2 MB) and is useful for diagnosing weak or congested service during events.

      Mbps is a standard measurement for connection speeds, and 1 megabit per second (Mbps) is 0.125 Megabytes per second (MB/s). So 8 Mbps is 1 Megabyte per second, max. For example, with images that are 10 Megabytes in size, a speed of 8 Mbps would take a minimum of 10 seconds to upload. When speeds are very slow, image uploads may be impossible due to uploads timing out and restarting. In these cases, open the app when you have a stronger connection and all your images will start going up!

      Network Speed Test

      🎪 Photo Booth + Selfie Check-In Station UI upgrades (5.6.2)

      • Photo Booth landing page updated to be more user-friendly (always-visible scrollbar, updated text, sticky go back/continue buttons, red/green emphasis, and a popup explaining why Continue is greyed out).
      • Selfie Check-In Station landing page updated with red/green Go Back / Begin buttons.
      • New dropdown icon beside Group Photo toggle (when an event has PhotoTags) to better display there are additional options to assign PhotoTags.
      • Fixed edge case cancel/continue behavior on Selfie Check-In Station when no contact info was entered.

      🧩 NEW: Lightroom Classic Plugin (Official)

      We’ve launched an official Lightroom Classic plugin to upload images to NowCandid events directly from Lightroom Classic.

      Key notes:

      • Lightroom Classic only
      • Same image rules apply (color profile, DPI, etc.)
      • Uses Capture App login
      • Only events within 60 days of event start date show in the selector
      • Image Details → Logs will show “Uploaded from NowCandid Lightroom Plugin”
      • Docs include guide/download/installation: https://app.nowcandid.com/docs/tools-more/lightroom

      Lightroom Classic Plugin

      Upload from NowCandid Lightroom Plugin

      🖥️ Dashboard: Upload & Roster Clarity + Small UX Wins

      • Event roster upload and PhotoRoster upload now warn about every unrecognized column, making it easier to spot misspellings (especially for optional columns).
      • Participant list page download now puts additional contacts into columns instead of rows.
      • Participant list download now puts merged contacts into their own row if they have different first/last names.
      • Image upload naming cleanup:
        • spaces/parentheses now automatically become underscores (e.g., Image (2)Image_2)
        • names ending in z now get a trailing underscore (e.g., ImagezImagez_)
      • Candy got even better at using the new Docs for responses.
      • Password reset now shows a clear “Your link has expired” screen (links expire after 24 hours).
      • Fixed participant filter inside another participant’s manual assign/unassign page not working properly.
      • Participant Details PhotoTag assignment UI: merged participants no longer incorrectly show PhotoTags as assigned.

      Upload Roster now warns about every unrecognized column.

      📣 Marketing Fixes

      • Fixed edge cases where galleries that were only AI-edited images could cause follow-up email marketing issues and show as 0 images on Participant List.
      • Fixed Day0 marketing edge case not starting if gallery is just AI-edited images.
      • SMS gallery links now include “View photos:” before the gallery URL to reduce confusion where some users thought the gallery link was an unsubscribe link.

      That’s the week! 💫

      Between the Lightroom Classic plugin, the Capture App’s new Network Speed Test, and retail improvements that reduce confusion (and improve performance), this week was packed with practical wins you’ll feel right away.

      Keep it sparkly,

      Candy

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      Big News: Introducing Full Frame Overlay! 🎨✨
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      August 14, 2024

      Big News: Introducing Full Frame Overlay! 🎨✨

      4
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      Hey there, amazing photographers!

      Candy here, bringing you some exciting news in our "Big News" series. We’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new feature to NowCandid: the Full Frame Overlay!

      This powerful tool allows you to create stunning graphics in various aspect ratios that can be applied directly over your photos, offering endless creative possibilities. Let’s dive into the details! 🌟

      What is Full Frame Overlay? 🖼️

      Full Frame Overlay is a versatile feature that lets you design and apply full-frame graphics to your photos. Unlike our Banner Overlay, which places graphics at the bottom of your images, Full Frame Overlay covers the entire image, adding a creative flair that your clients will love.

      This feature supports multiple aspect ratios, ensuring your graphics look perfect on all orderable print products.

      Here’s what you need to know:

      • Required 4x6 Graphics: The 4x6 ratio graphic is always required, and you’ll need to upload both vertical and horizontal versions.
      • Optional Aspect Ratios: In addition to the 4x6, you can also create and upload graphics in 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14 aspect ratios. These are optional, so you can choose which sizes best fit your Event!
      • Resolution & Format: Your graphics should be PNGs with transparency, around 300 DPI, and in the SRGB color profile. The resolution specifications can be viewed directly in the Full Frame Overlay interface when setting up your Event.

      Check out the screenshot below for a glimpse of the new Full Frame Overlay interface:

      How Does It Look? 👀

      Full Frame Overlay lets you get creative! Whether you’re adding a fun border, a festive holiday theme, or a sleek corporate design, the possibilities are endless. These overlays are perfect for making your photos stand out and giving your clients something truly unique.

      Here’s an example of a photo with a Full Frame Overlay applied:

      More Resources on the Way 📚

      We know that creating the perfect overlay can take time, so we’re here to help! In addition to our existing Banner Overlay Canva Templates, in the future we’ll be adding Full Frame Overlay Canva Templates to our Resources page. These templates will make it even easier to design beautiful graphics that fit perfectly with your photos.

      We can’t wait to see how you use the Full Frame Overlay to elevate your photography and create amazing products for your clients!

      As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

      More examples of Full Frame Overlays below!

      Cheers and sparkles,

      Candy 🍬

      Big News: Introducing NowCandid's Mobile Dashboard App 2.0! 📲✨
      Feature Updates
      August 8, 2024

      Big News: Introducing NowCandid's Mobile Dashboard App 2.0! 📲✨

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      Hey there, fabulous photographers! Candy here, bringing you the latest and greatest update in our "Big News" series. Today, we're thrilled to unveil the completely revamped NowCandid Mobile Dashboard App 2.0.

      This overhaul brings the app in line with the amazing new features we're adding to our web dashboard, ensuring you have a seamless and powerful tool right at your fingertips. Let's dive into what's new and why you should update to Mobile Dashboard 2.0 today! 🌟

      A Fresh and Improved UI 🎨

      First things first, the Mobile Dashboard App 2.0 boasts a much-improved user interface. We’ve designed it to be more intuitive and user-friendly, making it easier than ever to navigate through your dashboard and access the features you need.

      • Review Custom Offers: Now you can easily review your custom offers directly from the app. This gives you the flexibility to monitor your custom event packages on the go.

      Web Dashboard Integration 🔗

      To keep up with the rapid advancements we're making, many editing functions in the app now link directly to the web dashboard. This ensures you always have the most up-to-date tools and options at your disposal without the app falling behind due to slower update cycles.

      • Seamless Updates: By directing to the web dashboard for specific edits, we ensure that you're always working with the latest features. This approach allows us to implement changes quickly and efficiently, without waiting for app store approvals.

      Enhanced Candy Chat 💬

      We’ve made improvements to Candy, your friendly AI assistant, as well as the UI for chatting with her directly from the dashboard app.

      • Improved Interaction: The new chat interface is more intuitive and easier to use, ensuring you get the help you need quickly and efficiently.

      Folder-Level Sales Reports & Stats 📊

      Stay on top of your game with folder-level sales reports and stats now visible in the dashboard app.

      • Mid-Event Performance Checks: Quickly check photographer performance mid-event with just your phone, ensuring everything is running smoothly and adjustments can be made in real-time.

      Easy Access to LiveLoop Links 🔗

      We’ve made accessing LiveLoop links for each event even easier. Now, you can quickly find and share these links directly from the app.

      • Engage Your Audience: Use LiveLoop to create engaging live slideshows that showcase your photos in real-time, boosting interaction and sales.

      Improved Image Management 📸

      Managing images has never been easier. The updated UI for image management provides a more streamlined and efficient way to handle your event photo's visibility.

      Update to Mobile Dashboard 2.0 Today! 🚀

      It’s crucial to update to Mobile Dashboard App 2.0 as soon as possible. Using the previous version could result in accidental errors, especially with new Custom Offer Events set up on the dashboard. These new events are not meant to be editable with the older app version.

      Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your events run flawlessly by updating to the latest version of the app. We're excited about these changes and are confident they will enhance your NowCandid experience.

      Thank you for being part of the NowCandid family and for your continued support. Your feedback drives these improvements, and we can't wait to see how Mobile Dashboard 2.0 helps you succeed!

      Cheers and sparkles,

      Candy 🍬

      Big News: Custom Offer Creator Now Live!
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      July 2, 2024

      Big News: Custom Offer Creator Now Live!

      4
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      🌟 Hey there, amazing photographers!

      Candy here with some exciting news as part of our Big News series, where we'll dive into the latest and greatest features NowCandid has to offer.

      Today, we're thrilled to introduce the Custom Offer Creator, a powerful new tool designed to give you more control and flexibility over your event photography business. 📸✨

      Custom Offer Creator: Tailor-Made for You 🎨

      Gone are the days of relying solely on premade price levels. With the Custom Offer Creator, you can now craft personalized offers that perfectly fit your business model and customer needs. Here’s what you can do:

      • Choose Your Products: Select which products you wish to sell, ensuring your offerings match your customers' preferences.
      • Create and Name Packages: Design and name your own packages, providing tailored options for your clients.
      • Product Sequence: Arrange the order of products as you see fit, giving you complete control over the presentation.
      • Set Shipping Prices: Adjust shipping costs on a scalable basis to suit different regions or service levels.
      • Set Retouching Costs: Scale retouching costs to reflect the level of service provided.
      • Select Retail Site Themes: Choose the color theme for the retail site when your custom offer is being used.

      Simplified Event Creation 📅

      Creating an event remains as straightforward as ever. However now, when setting up an event, you can now choose from your custom offers in a dropdown menu, in addition to the traditional premade price levels.

      Note that Custom Offer Events need to be created via the Custom Offer Dashboard. While these features start out in "Open Beta", we’re keeping them somewhat separate to ensure a smooth rollout and gather valuable feedback.

      New Retail Site Experience 🌐

      Custom Offer Events will also benefit from a brand-new, streamlined retail site built specifically for NowCandid Custom Offers. While we won't dive into all the details of the new retail site here, rest assured that it’s designed to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

      Open Beta: Your Feedback Matters 📝

      As with all the new features we are introducing this summer, the Custom Offer Creator is currently in Open Beta. This means we’ve tested it thoroughly internally, but there might still be some niche issues that crop up.

      We’ll also be making rapid additions and changes based on the feedback we receive, so expect a variety of adjustments and sudden new features during this period.

      We’re incredibly excited about the potential of the Custom Offer Creator and can’t wait to see how you use it to enhance your photography business. Remember, your feedback is crucial in helping us refine these tools, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts.

      Stay tuned for more updates in our Big News series! 🌈

      Cheers and sparkles,

      Candy 🍬

      To access the new Custom Offer Creator, select the "Offer Creator" button from the Events tab when logged into your NowCandid Dashboard.

      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

      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.

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