This organization is Favarh, The Arc of the Farmington Valley. Favarh helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live as independently as possible, experience continual growth and live the lives they want to lead.

Back in September of 2022, I worked with Favarh to do some event photography for a fund raiser they did called, “Motown Magic Under The Stars”. They had a Motown band there that the attendees just loved, great food and all at a great location in Simsbury, CT.

I had such a great time working with the entire dedicated Favarh staff and volunteers. Everyone worked hard to make it a success. I look forward to working with them in the future.

Here’s what they had to say . . . .

. . . . “Dave knew just what to do with the event. He had a vision from the moment we talked about the project and he executed it flawlessly. We absolutely love the results of his work. His photography captured the memories perfectly.”

- Penny Phillips, Favarh Director of Marketing and Communications

Favarh

#Favarh-The Arc of the Farmington Valley, Inc. #headshotphotographer #portraitphotographer#eventphotographer #davidjoliverphotography

"Fiery Sunset"

For a while now I have been working on a new addition to my “David J. Oliver Photography” website.  I’ve had an idea whereby I take some of my photographic images and turn them into a beautiful upscale, “Photographic Art Paintings”.  These images look exactly like an oil painting on canvas.  Some can even be done on actual canvas as a “Canvas Wrap”.  These pieces will add so much to a room’s décor.

The “Collection” will feature subjects from my travels throughout the U.S. and beyond.  Most will be from right here in Connecticut.  I’ve been on many day trips collecting images that feed my passion for photography and my love of art and nature.  These pieces originate in the pit of my sole and I now have found a way to release my inner feelings in an art form I call my “Photographic Art Paintings”.  Each piece is a part of me, my expression, my view of life.

I will be adding more and more to this collection as time goes on.  The piece you see at the top of this Blog entry is the first of many.  They are all available for purchase.  Just contact me with the Title of the piece your interested in and I will be happy to fulfill your order.  They can come framed, framed and matted or actual canvas wraps (no frame).  Each piece will look lovely on your wall.

Make sure you return often to see what else I have uploaded to this “Collection”.  All you have to do is click here and then bookmark the page when you get there.

If you need to contact me just shoot me an email at [email protected].

Enjoy!

"An Evening With Ray Kanter" - Back in the mid 80's I worked for a Printing Company here in the Hartford, Connecticut area.  During that time Ray came to work at the same company.  That was the days when there were no computers used in the printing industry to do any of the photo and text layout.  It was all done by very talented "offset strippers".  Now I know what your thinking, but offset strippers in the printing trade were people who's task it was to place text or page layout and photo or "halftone" placement in books, ads or whatever the client's project was.  We did a lot of trick things with film to create what I call masterpieces for clients.  Ray and I were two of those people that had the talent to do all this by hand.  Now, computers do all that in a blink of an eye.

During those days Ray would come to my home and he would bring his guitar and he and my entire immediate family would sing and have a good old time.  Ray was a very talented musician.  He sang real well also.  This guy was just jam packed with all sorts of talent.  I believed that his true passion lay in his music.  You could just tell by the way he played and sang.  He loved it!  It came from within his soul.

Fast forward to the present  -  I was in the West Farms Mall a month or so ago.  Yes I was in the Apple Store!  As I am getting ready to leave the store I walked past a guy that, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I knew.  Low and behold it was Ray Kanter.  I hadn't seen him since 1986 or 1987.  In all these years he hadn't changed much at all.  He was engrossed in conversation with one of the Apple Store associates.  I was very polite and waited, and waited and waited to the point that I couldn't wait any longer.  I had to leave.  I felt empty while walking away.  Here I was passing up a chance to connect with a good friend that I hadn't seen in a long, long time.

A few weeks had past and I just couldn't stop thinking about Ray and that chance meeting.  So what did I do?  Yes, I Googled him.  I found out that he was playing piano at the Griswold Inn in Essex, Connecticut.  On March 22, 2013 I surprised Ray with a visit to the Inn.  I got there early because I wanted be there when he walked in.  I waited for him to start setting up for his evening of entertaining the guests and visitors at the Inn that night.  I should explain something before I go on.  You see, back in the days of working for that printing company, Ray and I did this, what I call "Stick".  We had this way of talking to one another that words cannot describe.  You just had to hear and witness us.  It was a sort of New York, Jewish accent.  It was very funny how we would banter back and forth using the same accent.  If you should ever meet me or if any of my friends reading this just has to ask me to do the "Stick" and I will be glad to do it for you.

Back to the story.  As I walked up to Ray who was still setting up, he smiled as I approached.  I knew he had no idea who I was because I now look soooo different from what I looked like in those day.  When I got to just the other side of the piano I said, in the NYC accented voice that we used to do,  "Ahhh Ray deah".  Well, his face went from smiling to a puzzled, perplexed look.  And then he said, "Dave Oliver"?  Well needless to say I stayed to enjoy his music.  During his break we sat and did some catching up.  We had a great time.  It kind of made my weekend.  We plan to stay in touch and get together from time to time.

The photos I have posted here in this blog post were from that evening with my very, very talented friend Ray Kanter.   If you want to enjoy a night out, at the very beautiful Griswold Inn, in a very lovely setting, in a quant little area of Connecticut, you can check Ray Kanter out on Fridays, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Griswold Inn, in Essex Connecticut.  You won't regret it I promise you!

Fire At The Somersville Mill in Somers CT

On Sat, June 2^nd the Somersville Mill in Somers CT was destroyed by fire. I believe the mill used to be a textile mill. It was built in the mid 1830's, but had been empty for quite some time. Investigators feel that it might be the work of an arson. There is a reward posted on the fence that now surrounds the property.

I visited the mill on Sunday, June 3^rd with the intent of shooting some pictures of one of my grandson's there. It had always been a great place to use as a backdrop for photos. I did not know that the mill had burned down the day before, but of course, when I arrived there it became obvious that this is the mill that burned down. The building was still smoldering in spots. I have posted some photos that I took while I was there. It's a shame to see the devastation of a great landmark in the town of Somers.

Directly across the street is some beautiful landscape and pond with more historic buildings that border the pond. I feel bad for the residents of the town. A piece of their history is now gone. The only thing that still exists are the photos that people have taken throughout the years.

Photography plays a big part in my life and after seeing what happened here it makes you realize what a big part of other peoples lives photography plays.

What's The Difference Between Professional Photographers And Chain Studios & Non-Professionals

Professional photographers have and still take the time to learn about lighting. Controlling the light is critical in high end, professional photography. Correct light modification will make a nicely composed shot, great! Non-professional and chain studios will not and do not take the time to set up different lighting scenarios to suit the story being told. They all have cookie-cutter lighting setups and only shoot with those setups.

Another difference is the time a non-pro and chain studio take to tell their clients story. Remember, you, as a client, go to have your photos taken to capture specific moments to be cherished for a very long time. A professional photographer takes a lot of time preparing for a shoot. From the first phone call to the pre-shoot consultation to the actual photo session, time is needed to accomplish a great end product. We, as professionals take the time to get to know our clients. We want to know who they are and what they will be trying to accomplish with there photo sessions. Non- pros and chain studio do not take that time, but that time is a must. Most photo sessions I do take 1 to 2 hours or even more if that's what is needed. Wardrobe changes and scene and/or location changes take time.

In my studio I want to satisfy my clients needs, but I also want them to experience a level of service that they have never had prior to choosing me as their photographer. I want them to have fun during the entire time they are with me.

So please, take your time and think about who you really want taking the photographs that are going to mean so much to as time passes. I'm sure you want them to last a long time. Choose a professional photographer who will suit your needs.

You can view my work, my passion by going to www.davidjoliverphotography.com Enjoy!