Dead Pixels Society Newsletter
Apple tweaks photo apps, Insta360 goes public, Landa to restructure, Fujifilm releases X-E5 rangefinder, Liem to head IPC, and much more
The Dead Pixels Society newsletter is sponsored by Mediaclip, Advertek Inc., GotPhoto, IPI Member Network, PhotoFinale, Taopix, Taylor OnDemand, Viesus, and Vivid-Pix!
WWDC: Apple unveils universal software design for all platforms
At the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple Inc. made announced a universal design platform, extending across platforms — iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 (which also now have a new numerical nomenclature, starting with “26”). The new cross-platform universal design, taking advantage of a new material called Liquid Glass. This translucent material “reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content, delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more,” the company claims.
The new OS updates offer incremental features to the iPhone Camera app, MacOS Photos, Apple Watch faces (shown here), and AirPods.
Canon makes EOS VR SYSTEM compatible with “Apple Projected Media Profile” and “spatial photo”
Canon Inc. announced two of its RF lenses for 3D VR video—the RF5.2mm F2.8 L DUAL FISHEYE and the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE will offer compatibility with “Apple Projected Media Profile” (APMP), a QuickTime movie profile that will be supported by the Apple Vision Pro spatial face computer.
Insta360 goes public on Shanghai stock market
On June 11, 2025, Chinese camera maker Insta360, trading as Arashi Vision, made a splashy debut on Shanghai’s STAR Market, with its stock surging 285% on opening day and its market capitalization briefly topping ¥70 billion (over $10 billion). Founder JK Liu rang the opening bell while wielding an Insta360 X5 panoramic camera, marking him as the first 1990s-born founder to lead a company to China’s Nasdaq-style board. This was the largest listing on the STAR Market this year, and proceeds will mainly be used to back future research and development.
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Finding the Expert in You: How Ann Carden Transforms Expertise into Businesses
What if your greatest business opportunity isn't something new, but something you already possess? In this eye-opening conversation with business growth expert Ann Carden, we explore how entrepreneurs can transform their expertise into thriving, profitable businesses. Carden's journey from teaching neighborhood craft classes at age eight to building and selling five successful companies offers a masterclass in business evolution.
Rather than chasing the next shiny opportunity, she reveals how staying three steps ahead of market trends allowed her to pivot seamlessly from a global doll business to health clubs to high-ticket coaching—all while maintaining profitability. For creative professionals who struggle with the business side of their operations, Carden offers refreshingly practical advice. "The creative side is where you can really expand and grow the business," she explains, "but you have to treat it like a business. Otherwise, what you love is not going to be fun." Her approach balances creative fulfillment with sound business strategy, ensuring entrepreneurs don't burn out on their passions. Perhaps most valuable is Carden's concept of "growing money trees"—developing multiple revenue streams rather than relying on a single business model. This orchard approach provides stability even during market disruptions, as evidenced by how she weathered changes in both the craft and fitness industries.
Carden's "Expert in You" methodology helps entrepreneurs package their brilliance for premium pricing, often uncovering blind spots where they can't recognize their most valuable skills. "What they're really incredible at doing, they don't even see it, because they're too good," she observes, explaining how she's helped consultants increase their client value from $1,500 to $50,000 through strategic repositioning.
Shout out to podcast supporters Kevin Harayda, Dan's Camera; Fred Lerner, 1HourPhoto; Rick Voight, Vivid-Pix, Larry P. Adams and Bill McCurry, for becoming paid subscribers. You can become a paid supporter here. Subscribe on all the leading podcast services like Apple, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, iHeart Radio, and more.
Family heritage and archiving
ScanMyPhotos customer survey reveals much more to do
Online photo digitization leader ScanMyPhotos announced the results of a customer survey, revealing there is still an enormous opportunity in the photo digitizing market. According to CEO Mitch Goldstone: “We conducted a two-part survey starting in January. I wanted to find out if people are digitizing their entire photo vault — their whole collection of pictures, not just a few favorites. I interviewed 250 clients and asked two key questions: What percentage of their analog photos have they digitized, and when was the last time they looked at their photos, slides, or reels of home movie film? The results were that 76% of all photos in households still have not been digitized.”
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Personalized printing
Landa Digital Printing to restructure, seeking investors
Israel-based printing vendor Landa Digital Printing (LDP) announced it is restructuring plan. According to Printing Impressions, the company reported positive growth during drupa in 2024, but that “customer caution due to geopolitical and economic uncertainties, the ongoing war in Israel,” among other challenges, has led to this decision.
FastEditor adds to product catalog
FastEditor announced a new product catalog from top European suppliers, including PF Concept, XD Connects, Senator, midocean, Goldstar,l Giving Europe, Makito, Toppoint, and more. The company also said it is launching a DTP ower tool this summer and will be going live with Shopify, Promidata, and WooCommerce connections.
Cloudprinter adds 92,000 products and options
Cloudprinter announced more than 92,000 new product combinations, including merchandise, textiles and wall decor, are now live. Highlights include hoodies and T-shirts from top brands, as well as local fulfillment in Europe and the United States.
PikPerfect introduces printed velvet photo book covers
Zurich, Switzerland-based personalized photobook company PikPerfect unveiled printed velvet photo book covers. This addition to their product line enhances the velvet cover material, now offering the ability to incorporate intricate patterns, text, graphics, and custom artwork directly onto the cover, the company said.
Fujifilm installs first REVORIA PRESS EC2100S in United States
FUJIFILM North America Corp., Business Innovation Division, announced the first installation of its FUJIFILM REVORIA PRESS EC2100S (EC2100S) at Dynagraphics, Inc., a family-owned printing company based in Decatur, Illinois.
ISO Photography group seeking input on international photobook standards
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is conducting an industry survey to determine if there is an industry need for an international specification for the permanence and durability of photobooks (for the benefit of consumers). This short questionnaire also looks at different use cases for consumers regarding photo books - for example, the need for archival media - and the resulting performance levels regarding the durability and permanence.
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Business Management
Bootstrapping Your Way to Success: Growing Multiple Businesses with Ann Carden
Dead Pixels Society subscriber exclusive: In a world where entrepreneurship is often romanticized, Ann Carden brings a refreshing perspective grounded in 35 years of real-world business experience. The recent Dead Pixels Society podcast featuring this business growth expert reveals valuable insights for anyone looking to grow or transform their business, regardless of industry.
Carden's journey began unexpectedly at age eight when she taught craft classes in her basement. After spending 13 years in retail management running high-end department stores, she launched her first official business 35 years ago. A remarkable entrepreneurial journey followed, including creating and selling five successful businesses before establishing her current coaching practice and media agency.
Professional Photography
GotPhoto releases “The Power of Media Days in Sports Photography” video class
GotPhoto has announced a free on-demand video class: The Power of Media Days in Sports Photography. In this class, photographer Vicky Long of Higher Focus photography breaks down how media days can dramatically increase your sales, improve athlete and school relationships, and help grow your business.
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Your Photography Business Deserves This
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Marketing information
NRF: Import cargo levels expected to see surge during pause in tariff increases
Import cargo at the nation’s major container ports is expected to see a surge through this summer as retailers take advantage of a 90-day reduction in tariffs that were recently imposed on China, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. Gold said many retailers suspended or canceled orders after the Trump administration announced a 145% tariff on China in April but have resumed imports after tariffs were reduced to 30% and a 90-day pause that will last until August 12 was announced. The higher reciprocal tariffs on other nations have also been paused until July 9 as the administration negotiates with those countries.
CNBC/NRF retail monitor shows continued sales growth but less stocking up ahead of tariffs
Retail sales continued to grow in May even though consumers slowed down on stocking up ahead of tariffs, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF).
“The data for May indicates that the pull-forward in consumer demand ahead of tariffs is likely dissipating,” said Matthew Shay, President and CEO , NRF. “While momentum remains, the nature of consumer spending is shifting as economic uncertainty increases. Consumer fundamentals haven’t been damaged yet, and a slowing-but-still-growing job market is supporting household priorities ahead of any meaningful price increases in the coming months.”
Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 0.49% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 4.44% unadjusted year over year in May, according to the Retail Monitor. That compared with increases of 0.72% month over month and 6.76% year over year in April.
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Cameras and Gear
Fujifilm Introduces FUJIFILM X-E5 camera, FUJINON XF23mmF2.8 R WR lens
FUJIFILM North America Corp., Electronic Imaging Division, announced the FUJIFILM X-E5 (X-E5) rangefinder-style mirrorless digital camera. X-E5 combines the classic look of Fujifilm’s X-E series with an updated design and the latest features X Series. X-E5 is designed to be an everyday carry camera, weighing approximately 445g (approximately 1lb.) For the first time in the history of FUJIFILM X Series, the top plate is machined from a single piece of aluminum. In addition to providing quick access to Fujifilm’s exclusive Film Simulation modes, the FS dial features three additional positions that allow users to create and save their own custom FS recipes to FS1, FS2, or FS3.
Leica introduces the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70 f/2.8 ASPH for SL-System
Leica Camera AG introduces the new Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70 f/2.8 ASPH for the SL-System. The focal length spanning from 28 to 70 mm allows the lens to transition from wide angle to slight telephoto, making it particularly well-suited for capturing landscapes, travel scenes and portraits.
Snap to launch lightweight, immersive specs in 2026
Snap Inc. announced at the Augmented World Expo 2025 it is launching lightweight, immersive Specs in 2026. Specs are a wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses, featuring see-through Lenses that enhance the physical world with digital experiences.
Profoto launches battery-driven compact flashes
Swedish lighting maker Profoto introduced the Profoto B20 (250Ws), and B30 (500Ws) battery-powered LED lights. The B20 and B30 are designed for photographers and visual creators who need reliability, flexibility, and ease of use, the company says.
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News briefs
App Updates
CYME launches Peakto Pro, an AI-powered media manager
CYME announced, after winning the trust of photographers worldwide, that Peakto is taking a bold leap forward. With the launch of Peakto Pro, CYME introduces a powerful evolution of its AI-powered media manager—now built for creative teams and professional videographers. This new version transforms Peakto into a smart, collaborative, and AI-enhanced hub for managing massive volumes of photos and videos.
Earning Reports
Adobe reports record second-quarter revenue
Adobe reported financial results for its second quarter fiscal year 2025 ended May 30, 2025. Adobe achieved record revenue of $5.87 billion in the quarter, which represents 11 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Diluted earnings per share was $3.94 on a GAAP basis and $5.06 on a non-GAAP basis.
Japan’s Asukanet reports net sales increase but operating income
Japanese photobook leader Asukanet Company, Ltd. reported its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025, showing a slight increase in net sales by 3.2% to 7,263 million yen. However, the company experienced a significant decline in operating income and ordinary income by over 60%, with a net loss attributable to owners of the parent amounting to 263 million yen.
People on the Move
Fujifilm’s Bing Liem named president of International Photographic Council
FUJIFILM North America Corp. announced Bing Liem, division president, Imaging Division, was named president of the International Photographic Council (IPC) for the 2025-2026 term. The IPC is a multinational, non-profit, non-commercial organization founded in 1974 and its members range from across the photographic and imaging industry worldwide. Liem joined Fujifilm in 2006, after working for AGFA Gevaert for 22 years. He has been in the role of division president at Fujifilm for the past 3 years, moving into that role from various leadership roles across Fujifilm.
Open positions
Featured listing: Irving Simon Photographers is looking for a Photography Operations Manager
Adobe is looking for a Principal Product Manager, Photoshop
Captura is looking for a marketing strategist.
Capsule has numerous positions open here.
Dakis Decision Systems Inc. is looking for numerous roles here.
Imaging Solutions is looking for a marketing support person.
Lomography has numerous open positions here.
Mixbook is hiring here.
PhotoRoom is looking for executives.
Taylor OnDemand has numerous open positions across the United States.
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About the Dead Pixels Society
The Dead Pixels Society continues to grow! Our email list of photo industry leaders and imaging influencers continues to grow with 1,355 subscribers worldwide. Last week's open rate: 41%
Last week's top stories
Tariff policies creating uncertainty, including among camera suppliers
BleepingComputer: PowerSchool hacker pleads guilty to student data extortion scheme
ISO Photography group seeking input on international photobook standards
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