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Weekly Recap: Faster Background Removal, Smarter Digital Downloads & New AI Editing Tools 📸✨

Weekly Recap: Faster Background Removal, Smarter Digital Downloads & New AI Editing Tools 📸✨
Hey photo friends! 👋

Last week, we were busy hosting our annual Summer Seminar in Denver, Colorado—and we had a great time with everyone who joined us!

That means this week’s recap includes two weeks of updates. Nothing too wild, but plenty of useful improvements across Retail, the Dashboard, Auto Editor, Capture App, and more while we continue working on some bigger changes behind the scenes.

Let’s catch up!

⚡ Faster Background Removal

✂️ Background Removal processing is faster

  • We made multiple speed improvements over the past two weeks to help cutouts finish sooner, especially during higher-volume periods.

📥 Smarter Digital Download Delivery

Digital Downloads can now skip unnecessary processing in more situations.

Some downloads are now available immediately

  • If a customer selects No Overlay, the Event has no artwork, and/the image is not a BGR image, the customer will skip the cropping step on the retail site and receive the full-resolution image without waiting for an 8×12 rendered version.

🖼️ Full aspect ratio is preserved

  • These downloads bypass the cropping step and work more like Personal Gallery Download products.

🆓 Also applies to Medium Res and Free Downloads

  • This includes cases where those downloads are automatically upgraded to full resolution.

📧 Clearer receipt messaging for custom renders

🧾 Order Details now identifies each download type

  • Digital Downloads can now show a Rendered Download or a Full Aspect Ratio Download badge, making it clearer which version was delivered to your customers.

🎨 Auto Editor & Candy Image Studio Updates

🧩 Auto Editor now supports image-input nodes

  • You can now use nodes such as:
    • Custom Image
    • Copy Style
    • Diploma Fix

🙈 Auto Edit originals won’t be texted too early

  • QuicPics and QuicPortraits will no longer send the original image by MMS when it belongs to an active Auto Edit with Hide Originals enabled. The system will wait for the edited version instead.

🕺 New Retro Pop node

  • Give images a colorful, retro-inspired treatment.

🂡 New Ace Card node

  • Turn subjects into a bold playing-card-style design.

💬 QuicPics & Marketing Improvements

👥 QuicPics can now send to multiple contacts on merged participants

  • If merged participant records contain different phone numbers or email addresses, regular QuicPics can now send to each unique contact.

✉️ Marketing startup fix for BGR cutouts

  • Fixed an edge case where marketing would not begin if the only visible images were cutouts from the newer Background Removal system.

🔗 Hot Links now better respect Hide Originals

  • Fixed an issue where the preview could temporarily show the original image before an Auto Edit finished generating.

📱 Capture App Updates

Capture App 5.8.1

iOS and Android OTA updates

🎨 Updated Event artwork is refreshed at login

  • If artwork changed, the latest file is pulled when logging into the Event normally.

🛠️ Small follow-up fix

  • An additional 5.8.1 update was released to address a minor issue.

Capture App 5.9

iOS and Android App Store update

📲 iOS OTA updates are easier to install

  • You no longer need to completely restart the app or return to the Home Screen to install an available Over-the-Air update.

🤖 Android compatibility updates

  • Required updates were made to stay current with new Google Play requirements.

🛍️ Retail Download Fixes

📱 Safari share sheet reliability improved

  • Press-and-hold downloads should now open the native share sheet more consistently on Safari.

🖼️ Virtual Group download cleanup

  • Virtual Groups in QuicPics no longer offer a Download with Art option.

🎨 Background selection fixes

  • Fixed cases where:
    • A PNG could be downloaded without selecting a background and receive an incorrect blue background
    • Faux renders showed no selected background in the download popup

🔐 Facebook login works again

🖥️ Dashboard Improvements

📊 Image Timeline cleanup

  • Fixed chart display issues, removed folders that were not useful in the timeline, and prevented multiple summaries from appearing when switching folders quickly.

🌾 Candy Culler controls are clearer

  • Filter visibility and report controls now use more descriptive buttons, similar to Manage Images.

📈 BGR Folder Stats fixed

  • Cutouts from the newer Background Removal system no longer incorrectly inflate Unassigned totals.

📱 Mobile Dashboard

🔗 More reliable deep linking

  • Dashboard links should open the correct page more consistently when the app has been open for a while or after signing in and out.

That’s the two-week update!

Faster Background Removal and smarter Digital Download delivery are the biggest highlights, with plenty of smaller improvements making Auto Editor, QuicPics, Retail, and the Capture App more dependable.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us in Denver for Summer Seminar—we loved seeing you!

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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Weekly Recap: Collage Printing, Digital Collages & More! ✨
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March 28, 2025

Weekly Recap: Collage Printing, Digital Collages & More! ✨

5
 minutes read
Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, and welcome to this week’s Weekly Recap.

We’ve got some fantastic updates in the latest version of the NowCandid™ iOS Capture App and more—so grab your coffee and let’s dive in!

Also, click here to check out GalleryGuard™, our newest image protection technology.

1. iOS Capture App Version 4.17 Updates 🍏

Collage Printing


We’re excited to announce a new way to showcase your photos—collage printing is now live!

  • • AirPrint Integration:
    Connect Photo Booth Mode to AirPrint printers to print 4x6 collages directly.
  • • Real-Time Customization:
    Subjects can view the collage as they customize each individual image.
  • • Flexible Copy Options:
    Print anywhere from 0 to 4 copies at the end of each session.
  • • Custom Collage Art:
    Photographers can upload their own Photo Booth Collage Art from the Event Management page (look for the button near LiveLoop™).

Smaller Capture App Tweaks

  • • Auto-Delete on Reshoot:
    Unused Photo Booth Mode images are automatically deleted when you hit “Reshoot.”
  • • Enhanced Print Option:
    A new print option now appears in the capture app's image gallery as well!
  • • UI Refinements:
    • ◦ The screen no longer dims when starting or closing the session.
    • ◦ Camera and orientation settings are now combined on the Photo Booth Mode landing page for easier use.

2. Digital Collages 💻

Digital Collages bring more creative flexibility, even without a physical printer!

  • • Integrated Delivery:
    In QuicPics™, digital collages are delivered just like all other images.
  • • Product Options:
    Available only as downloads and 4x6 prints on the retail site.
  • • Simplified Design:
    Crop and overlay art options are disabled to avoid customer mistakes.
  • • LiveLoop™ Compatibility:
    Digital Collages integrate seamlessly with LiveLoop™, showing no overlay art, since they already have art!

Vertical Image Orienttion Collage Example

3. Miscellaneous Improvements 🔧

A few extra tweaks to make your experience even better:

  • • Enhanced NSFW Filters:
    Our AI background generator on the retail site now features smarter, stronger NSFW filters.
  • • Stricter (Youth) Face Matching:
    Face Matching™ for younger subjects when using the "Strict (Youth)" option is now more precise.
  • • Spreadsheet Upgrade:
    The participant download spreadsheet now includes a column for each participant's personal gallery image count.

That’s this week’s roundup of updates, folks!

We hope these enhancements—from collage printing to digital collages and improved reporting—make your NowCandid™ workflow smoother and more fun.

As always, we’d love to hear your feedback!

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Big News: Introducing GalleryGuard™ – The Ultimate Image Protection! 🔒✨
Feature Updates
March 28, 2025

Big News: Introducing GalleryGuard™ – The Ultimate Image Protection! 🔒✨

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Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, and I'm thrilled to share some BIG news that’ll give you peace of mind when it comes to protecting your digital art.

For as long as ViewFirst™ photo systems have existed, safeguarding your images has been a constant challenge.

While offering a digital preview is a fantastic business model, there's always that worry about unauthorized screenshots and image theft.

The Image Protection Challenge 🛡️

  • • The Dilemma:
    Digital images are easy to view and share, but that also makes them vulnerable to being stolen—whether through clever workarounds or even just customers posting watermark-covered screenshots on socials.
  • • Industry Solutions:
    Some platforms hide faces behind logos or use messy, multi-colored watermarks to confuse AI, but these methods can compromise the aesthetic and customer experience.
  • • NowCandid™ Approach:
    Until now, we've relied on Scrolling Copyrighting—a good balance between visual appeal, customer satisfaction, and protection. However, with AI watermark removal making headlines, we wanted to step up our game.

Introducing GalleryGuard™ 👨‍🍳

Our digital chefs have been busy in the NowCandid™ kitchen, and their latest creation is nothing short of a Michelin Star-worthy innovation:

  • • iOS Protection:
    On iOS device browsers, GalleryGuard™ ensures that any attempted screenshots of our Image Galleries or Previews will result in a completely black screen. Let's see AI pull an image out of that!
  • • Desktop Defense:
    On desktop browsers, GalleryGuard™ applies an intense blur effect to the retail site when a screenshot is attempted, keeping your images safe without compromising overall aesthetics.
  • • Seamless Integration:
    The technology is live on most NowCandid™ retail pages and will continue to evolve, offering you superior digital image protection.

Sample gallery on Chrome on an iPhone 16 Plus

Sample gallery on Chrome on a Windows PC

What Does This Mean for You? 🎉

  • • Less Image Theft:
    Your valuable digital art stays secure from unauthorized screenshots and AI watermark removal.
  • • More Peace of Mind:
    Enjoy the confidence that your creative work is protected by industry-leading technology.
  • • Quick Note:
    While GalleryGuard™ currently supports only iOS & desktop experiences, we may expand its capabilities in the future!

That’s the scoop on GalleryGuard™—a breakthrough step in defending your digital art.

Thanks for being an essential part of the NowCandid™ community.!

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, drop us a line.

Cheers and sparkles,


Candy 🍬

Weekly Recap: Faster Check-Ins, Text Upgrades & More! ✨
Feature Updates
March 21, 2025

Weekly Recap: Faster Check-Ins, Text Upgrades & More! ✨

5
 minutes read
Hello, my fabulous photographers!

Candy here, ready to sprinkle some sparkle on your day with our latest Weekly Recap.

We’ve been busy refining your NowCandid™ experience, and this week’s update is a solid mix of practical tweaks and new features—all designed to make your events run even smoother. Let’s dive in!

1. Check-In Info Saves to Account 📝

We know every second counts during an event. Now, when subjects perform a Selfie Check-In™ while logged into quic.pics, their check-in info is automatically saved to their account for future events.

Streamlined Check-In:

  • • Reuse saved check-in details for faster access at subsequent events.
  • • Speeds up the process and reduces repetitive data entry.
  • • Works for both Selfie Check-In™ as well as Positive ID™ Check-In.

Expedited Selfie Check-In for your regular subjects, woo!

2. QuicPics™ Text Character Increase 📲

Our marketing messages just got a boost! You now have more characters available when customizing the “Your images are arriving soon” text for QuicPics™ events.

More Room to Create:

  • • Tailor your messaging with extra characters for a more personalized touch.
  • • Future tweaks may come, but for now, enjoy the expanded flexibility!

Previously capped at 100 characters, you'll have a bit more wiggle room going forward!

3. QuicPortraits™ Pricing Now at 10¢ per Image 💰

Good news for portrait photographers who get paid upfront! We’ve adjusted the QuicPortraits™ pricing down to 10¢ per image from 12¢. This change is designed to help you offer headshots and individual portraits at a lower rate.

Cost-Saving for Portraits:

  • • QuicPortraits is aimed specifically at headshots and portraits where only one person receives the images.
  • • Expect further tweaks to QuicPortraits in the future, but the cost-saving is here to stay!

QuicPortraits is now 10 cents, down from 12!

4. GroupTags™ Enhancements 🏷️

We’ve made it easier than ever to manage group photos and individual shots with GroupTags™.

Import GroupTags:

  • • Upload a spreadsheet to auto-create as many GroupTags™ as you need—perfect for events with many teams or groups.

GroupTagging Individuals:

  • • Now you can assign GroupTags™ even to Individual Photos, not just Group Photos.
  • • This change gives you more flexibility when organizing the Groups of images your customers can filter by on the retail site. Possibly helpful for some action photographers!

GroupTags™ are now no longer limited to only Group Photos!

5. Miscellaneous Updates 🔧

A few extra tweaks to enhance overall performance and clarity:

Shortened Marketing Links:

  • • All links in marketing texts are now shortened without compromising URL security.

Informative Color Profile Errors:

  • • When an image is uploaded with the wrong color profile, the error now specifies which color profile the image has, instead of just saying “wrong color profile.”

That’s this week’s recap, folks!

These updates are all about making your workflow more efficient—from saving check-in info and giving you more flexible text options to reducing costs on QuicPortraits™ and enhancing GroupTags™.

We’re continuously improving our system to help you manage your events seamlessly and boost your sales.

As always, we love hearing your feedback—let us know what you think!

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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