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Weekly Recap: Face Matching Got 28× Faster, Virtual Group Builder Upgrades & RCS Marketing Texts ⚡📸

Weekly Recap: Face Matching Got 28× Faster, Virtual Group Builder Upgrades & RCS Marketing Texts ⚡📸
Hey photo friends! 👋


Candy here with a big follow-up from last week: we predicted our Face Matching improvements could make things up to 10× faster... and this past weekend, Face Matching ended up running 28× faster. 🎉

That is well above what we expected, and it came at a perfect time as image volume continues to hit new highs. We’re going to keep making improvements so NowCandid can better handle those big peak-season spikes.

We’re also improving parts of our retail support process, and later this month, we’ll be sending surveys to select end customers to learn more about their retail site and shopping experience. The goal is simple: keep improving the customer journey and help you get the most sales possible.

Now, let’s jump into what changed this week!

⚡ Face Matching Follow-Up: 28× Faster

🚀 Face Matching improvements performed even better than projected

  • Last week, we mentioned updates that could make Face Matching up to 10× faster. This past weekend, those improvements delivered around 28× faster performance.

📈 Built for peak volume

  • With more images coming in than ever, this speed improvement helps keep galleries moving during high-volume stretches like graduation season.

🛠️ More efficiency improvements are still coming

  • We’re continuing to tune systems behind the scenes so large event volume stays more manageable.

📣 Marketing Texts Now Support RCS

💬 Marketing texts now use RCS when available

  • All marketing texts, including QuicPics image texts, now send through RCS when supported, with SMS/MMS fallback for numbers that don’t support RCS.

Cleaner, more recognizable messages

  • Instead of appearing as a random phone number, supported messages can show as coming from QuicPics with a branded-style camera icon. This makes the text feel more familiar and easier for customers to recognize.

🛡️ Better deliverability potential

  • With mobile platforms continuing to add stronger spam filtering — including spam folders on iPhones — RCS gives our messages a better chance of feeling legitimate and avoiding the “unknown number” problem that can hurt visibility.

📱 Still works for everyone

  • If a customer’s phone or carrier doesn’t support RCS, the message will still fall back to normal SMS/MMS automatically.

Note: Client Outreach still sends through regular phone numbers for now. This RCS update applies to event marketing texts, 2FA in the Dashboard, the Find Me feature on quic.pics, and QuicPics image messages.

Oooooo shiny! Much more eye-catching than a simple phone number.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Virtual Group Builder Improvements

Virtual Group Builder got several upgrades this week:

Participant importing is much faster

  • Large imports should feel quicker and more responsive.

👨‍👩‍👧 Merged siblings now import properly

  • If siblings were merged through identical parent contact info, Virtual Group Builder will now pull them in correctly.

📂 New Subjects pane collapse button

  • Collapse the Subjects pane to make the preview area bigger. You can also toggle it with Shift + S.

🖼️ New cutout bottom fade slider

  • Adjust how strongly subject cutouts fade at the bottom.

🌫️ “Falloff Intensity” renamed to “Bottom Vignette”

  • Clearer wording for what the setting actually controls.

🖥️ Dashboard Improvements

🧰 More Tools moved out of the popup on Manage Images

  • Manage Images tools are now more visible instead of tucked away.

🗂️ Edit Folder is always visible

  • The Edit Folder button is now easier to find on Manage Images.

📬 New marketing column on Participant List

  • Quickly see how much marketing a participant has received.

👁️ Participant Details groups invisible images at the end

  • Makes the page easier to scan.

🎨 One Art Style node per edit

  • Candy Image Studio and Auto Editor now only allow one Art Style node per edit. This helps avoid confusion when selecting conflicting styles like Anime, Chibi, Action Figure, and Bobblehead together.

📈 Marketing History chart improved for new Events

  • New Events should no longer show one giant bar on the first day.

🏷️ Event Tags improvements

  • Hidden Event Tags are now hidden by default, and event search when adding Events to a tag is more flexible.

💰 Auto Editor total cost display fixed

  • The displayed total cost is now correct. Customers were charged correctly before; only the UI number was off.

🔢 Participant List now shows key report snapshots

  • You can now quickly see:
    • Images Per Participant
    • Sales Per Participant
    • % Participants Ordered

📱 Capture App 5.6.4

iOS & Android OTA update — Monday, June 1

🧍 Registered face boxes now show in the strip

  • When entering a shooting mode, existing images in the strip can show registered face boxes.

🔄 Restore Session fixes

  • Fixed Restore Session not loading saved registered participants for Positive ID Events or Face Matching Roster Check-In.

Face Matching Roster Check-In fix

  • Fixed an edge case where a registration could fail to save to an image.

📱 Android tablet UI fixes

  • Selfie Check-In Station camera UI fixed in vertical orientation
  • Image gallery name text no longer overflows in vertical orientation

That’s the week!

The big wins are definitely RCS marketing and Face Matching coming in 28× faster, but the Virtual Group Builder and Dashboard changes should make things easier during busy season too.

We’ll keep improving speed, support, and the retail experience as we go!

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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School’s Out, Earnings In: A Teacher's GradPics Now Success
Success Stories
July 27, 2023

School’s Out, Earnings In: A Teacher's GradPics Now Success

8
 minutes read
Time for another success story!

For years, graduation photography has played a crucial role in capturing the pivotal moments of grads. Not only are these professional photos treasured keepsakes, but they also present substantial income opportunities for photographers.

Consider the story of Eric, a high school photography teacher and small business owner. Eric ventured into a graduation event with NowCandid's platform, intending to photograph around 500 graduates. He had modest expectations, aiming to generate about $1,200 in sales. What unfolded next, however, far exceeded even his most optimistic projections.

In his very first event using NowCandid, the earnings soared past expectations!

Almost reaching an astounding $12,000 within only seven days after the event. Such a windfall was not only a personal victory for the teacher but also a testament to NowCandid's potential to transform event photography. So far (as of publishing this article), the event has reached well over $15,000. A far cry from his initially predicted $1,200.

 

Sharing his success in an email to his onboarding trainer, Darwin Drake, the photography teacher expressed his profound amazement and gratitude. "I am at $6,700 earned and counting. I am beyond speechless. I'm gobsmacked. I'm overjoyed. I am stunned." (And that reaction was before it hit $12,000 days later!)

 

A friends & family photo taken after the ceremony by Eric & his photographers.

But the triumph of this story goes beyond the impressive earnings.

As a teacher, Eric was able to bring his students onboard, teaching them practical skills while also providing them with paid experience. "I hired 4 of my current and former photography students for this event," he wrote, "and as a teacher and small business owner I am so profoundly thankful to be able to teach them and pay them."

 

Eric and some students in Berlin at a graffiti workshop just days after their successful graduation ceremony.

This story highlights the remarkable opportunities that NowCandid can bring to photographers and entrepreneurs.

Whether you're a professional photographer seeking to maximize your earnings, a teacher nurturing the next generation of photographers, or a business owner eager to expand your reach, NowCandid can provide the platform and tools you need to achieve your goals.

In event photography, moments become memories, and for a photographer: memories are opportunities!

Eric's experience shows, that with the right tools and workflow, it is more possible (and easier!) than ever before to monetize your photography in a big way.

Enjoy some more photos taken by Eric & his photographers below!

NowCandid Event Settings & Numbers Breakdown

Program: GradPics Now

Workflow: Selfie Check-In

Price Level: Price Level 8

Title Option: Simple Text Title

Staff: 4 Photographers (doing some Selfie Check-In work as well) and 1 Dedicated Selfie Check-In Attendant

Participants: 500+ Participants via Selfie Check-In

Total Images Taken: 1944

Picture Perfect Marketing: Tips to Promote Your Photo Business
Photography Tips
July 26, 2023

Picture Perfect Marketing: Tips to Promote Your Photo Business

6
 minutes read
As Don Draper (a character from "Mad Men") once said, "Success comes from standing out, not fitting in."

In the competitive world of photography, marketing your photo business to stand out is just as important for your business as capturing stunning images. In this blog post, we'll share some tips to help you market your business effectively and stand out from the crowd. And with a little help from NowCandid, making your brand stand out can be even easier.

1. Identify Your Target Audience:


To effectively market your photo business, it's crucial to first identify your target audience. Are you specializing in weddings, graduations, corporate events, parties, or headshots? Once you know your niche, you can tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right clients.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence:


Your website and social media profiles are essential tools for showcasing your work and connecting with potential clients. Ensure your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines. Update your social media platforms regularly with captivating images, behind-the-scenes content, and engaging stories that will get the attention of potential customers and get them reaching out to you for future events.

3. Utilize NowCandid's White-Label Services:

NowCandid is completely white-label by default and focuses on features that put your branding front and center. From backprinting your business info on photo prints to providing a library of Canva templates for your marketing materials, NowCandid helps you maintain a consistent brand image without stealing the spotlight.

4. Collaborate with Local Businesses and Vendors:


Partner with local businesses and vendors to cross-promote each other's services. This can include collaborating with event planners, florists, and catering companies, or exchanging promotional materials with complementary businesses.

5. Offer QuicPics Events for Promotion:


Hosting a QuicPics event for free is an excellent way to showcase your talents and promote your business. The marketing texts for QuicPics include your business name and contact info, providing a direct line of communication between you and potential clients.

6. Attend Networking Events and Trade Shows:


Networking is key to building relationships and finding new clients. Attend local events, trade shows, and photography conferences to connect with industry professionals and potential customers.

7. Encourage Referrals and Testimonials:


Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. Encourage satisfied clients to refer friends and family, and ask them to write testimonials for your website or review platforms. As the Ghostbusters famously said, "Who you gonna call?" Make sure your clients are calling you for their photography needs!

Marketing your photo business is essential for growth and success.

By identifying your target audience, building a strong online presence, and utilizing tools like NowCandid's white-label services, you can effectively promote your brand and stand out in the competitive photography industry. We hope these tips help you make your photo business truly picture-perfect!

NowCandid + Apple Pay! 🎉
Feature Updates
July 25, 2023

NowCandid + Apple Pay! 🎉

2
 minutes read
Hey, Candy here! Let’s dive into some exciting news!

Speedy Transactions ⚡

Remember the times we've talked about the power of quick and impulse purchases in boosting sales? Well, it just got a whole lot better. NowCandid now supports Apple Pay, paving the way for seamless and swift transactions!

Say Goodbye to Cart Abandonment 🛒

A smooth and easy checkout process:

  • • Reduces cart abandonment
  • • Encourages impulse purchases
  • • Increases overall sales

With Apple Pay, checking out is as easy as it gets!

Keeping It Professional 📊

Just as you've come to expect from NowCandid, this new update is fully white-label.

  • • Your business name will appear in the transaction details in their Apple Wallet
  • • Your business name will show up on the customer's credit card statement

What’s Next? 🚀

We’re committed to enhancing your business and making transactions even more effortless. Our next task? Integrating Venmo into NowCandid's checkout process.

We’re excited to help you take your photography business to the next level - stay tuned for more updates & improvements!

- 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

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