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  Oliver Photography Receives 2016 Best Businesses of Louisville Award Louisville, September 23, 2016 — Oliver Photography has been selected for the 2016 Best Businesses of Louisville Award in the Photographers category by the Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program. This is the fourth time since 2014 that Oliver Photography has been selected for this award. Each year, the Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Louisville area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2016 Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program and data provided by third parties. About the Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program The Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Louisville area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. The Best Businesses of Louisville Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy....

If you knew that you had a 95% chance of failing at a business would you proceed? Here are some headlines that could make you think twice; “95% of Photography Businesses Fail”, “Sorry, Photography Students, but it’s Time to Find Something Else to do”. Good thing I didn’t know anything about these statistics and headlines 20 years ago when I launched Oliver Photography! I can’t take full credit for my success and there are many people to thank. My wife, Sally, would be right up there at the top of the list for standing by me, supporting me and taking the risk with me to make it work. Wayne Dozier was a wonderful mentor and friend that gave direction, critiques and advice. Then there are the amazing clients who entrusted me with their memories of those special times in their lives. The city of Louisville and the Chamber of Commerce are on the thank you list for supporting small businesses. Oliver Photography is a rare commodity these days in regards to a full functioning photography business. While society has fully embraced the digital photographic evolution and enjoys the benefits of amazing technology, I still see the need and demand for professional portraits on a daily basis. Having a printed photographic record of your children and family is part of your historical legacy and having these images is priceless. While this generation of children and families are the most photographed in human history, the physical photographic images are never printed. That’s a scary thought when you look back at how fast technology had changed in just the past 5 years. Digital images aren’t as safe as some would like to believe. Whether you do your own photography or visit me, make sure to have actual photographs done. This is the heritage you will be leaving your children and...

Whether we realize it or not, who we are, what we say, the way we react all have an influence on those around us. In some cases those around us become better people because of our influence. Unfortunately, at other times our influence can have negative effects as well. My grandfather had a profound and positive influence in my life. I learned the value of hard work, the need to earn and save, to respect a person’s time, how to apologize and how to treat my wife. Some of the lessons were spoken others were taught by example. When I was just a kid my grandfather gave me a camera. I still remember the model. It was a Kodak Instamatic 44. How much of an influence did that first camera have in me choosing the profession of photography 25 years later? I don’t exactly know, but I’m sure it played a part. Who we are influences. That influence will be lived out in someone’s life 25 years from now. Lets hope that they can look back on our influence as fondly as I look back on my...

I don’t watch a lot of TV but every once in a while I’ll get hooked on a series. The last of my favorites was Breaking Bad. If you are a fan you may remember the episode where Walt goes to buy an untraceable gun. As he eyes the gun in the shady hotel room he asks, “How many bullets does it hold?” The arms dealer replies, “Six. If you can’t do it in six you’re just spraying and praying. “Spraying and praying” doesn’t just happen with guns it also happens with cameras. Some of my photographer friends take pride in the fact that they take 3000+ pictures at weddings. It’s time to do some math. Let’s say average photography coverage for a wedding is six hours. And if a photographer takes 3000 pictures during those six hours that averages out to 500 pictures an hour or one picture every seven seconds. Might I suggest to all of us who enjoy taking pictures to take a breath, think about what we are doing and shoot with purpose. More doesn’t necessarily mean...

  Is this one of the greatest places to live or what? I love taking a morning bike ride. It’s a great time to think through the opportunities (that’s code for problems) that are weighing on me. And when I get back I may not have solved my opportunities but I feel better nonetheless....