SkipCohenUniversity
  • Home
  • SCU Blog
  • Our Podcasts
  • About Us

the SCU Blog

The Loss of an Industry Icon...

3/7/2015

7 Comments

 
Picture
Most of you never had the privilege of meeting Ray DeMoulin, but he's responsible, in part, for the success of so many photographers in our industry. He passed away this week and even though I haven't seen him in a few years, we still kept in touch. I know it sounds a little bizarre, but I can feel the hole in the fabric of photography already.

I first met Ray when I joined Hasseblad as president in the late 80's. Kodak Professional was in its glory then, due much in part to Ray's direction. He had an amazing staff, surrounding himself with some remarkably approachable people.

In an earlier post about Ray, after he left Kodak, I told this story...

"Ray was considering Rudy Guttosch for a position at Foveon, but Rudy worked for us at Hasselblad.  Ray called me to tell me he wanted to hire Rudy. I remember him saying that if I had a problem with it, he wouldn't make him an offer. As much as we hated to lose him, it was the right decision. With his incredible background he just wasn't being utilized. To this day, Ray calling me first, before making Rudy an offer, really set a standard for professionalism...and friendship."

...and that's how Ray operated. It was business on a handshake and always focused on his relationships. Twenty-five years before Scott Stratten wrote the book, "UnMarketing," focusing on the importance of relationship building, Ray was already walking the talk. Ray was all about friendships and working to establish a win-win on everything he worked on.  

Picture
Last fall I wrote a post about Ray. He was trying to track down the artist who did this image, portraying him as the Patron Saint of Film. It was a gift presented to him by one of the associations back in the 80's, but we never found the creator. However, it's another prime example of what made Ray so special. He had enjoyed the painting for years and just wanted to track down the artist to say, "Thanks".

So, to Barbara, Ray's wife and the rest of his family, I can only express my sadness, prayers and appreciation for all of you sharing Ray with an industry that so badly always needed his guidance and inspiration. 

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. 
Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts.
And we are never ever the same."*
And to my good buddy, Ray...you are already so missed. You clearly left a "footprint" on so many hearts. I know you're going to continue to watch over all of us, along with Dean Collins and so many great friends who have gone before you. I honestly have no words to express my appreciation for your amazing friendship. I cherish the memories.  Thanks for your friendship and inspiration for so many years.

* Author unknown
7 Comments
Jb Sallee link
3/7/2015 06:11:17 am

Ray will be missed!

Reply
terry deglau link
3/7/2015 06:46:50 am

you hit it right on the target, Skip. I had the good fortune to work 10 years for and with Ray. He knew the subject like he invented the word------relationship management. Ray will be missed by many, And his ideas will lost to the new photographers, but God willing may our proud industry remember his vision.

Reply
Eddie Richardson link
3/7/2015 07:47:07 am

I met Ray and he convinced me with his very grandfatherly demeanor, that digital was the future of photography. With proper training, it would usher me into the 21st century ahead of my competition.
I was so taken by his soft spoken enthusiasm that I purchased the first camera sold by Foveon on August 13, 1999 and used it every working day for nine years.
Not too many people are true industry icons and the pleasure of meeting and working with him was a highlight of my professional career.

Reply
Ken Whitmire link
3/7/2015 08:24:46 am

Wonderful post, Skip. Ray served for a while on the board of directors of The Photography Hall of Fame, Photographic Art and Science Foundation. It was an honor working with him, as it was with Terry Deglau, another Eastman Kodak person, who helped guide the Institution.

Reply
Tom Cuffari
3/7/2015 04:02:16 pm

So sad to lose this wonderful man. He was a competitor but was always fair and gentlemanly. My condolences and prayers go out to his family.

Reply
Drew Webb
3/8/2015 01:07:07 pm

right on the mark, Skip.

Reply
Paul skipworth
3/8/2015 03:11:07 pm

Well said skip. Barbara work for me
When I owned Gittings after they were married I got
To know ray on professional and personal
Level was an inspiration He was a genuine nice nice person he will be missed
Paul

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Your walk is just a click away
    Picture
    Picture

      Sign Up for Our Newsletter!

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter

    Our Partners

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    "Why?"

    Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 130 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.

    Categories

    All
    Alzheimer's
    Beyond Technique
    Business
    Business Breakthroughs
    Clean Up Series
    Customer Service
    EDU10
    Excire
    F64 Lunch Bunch
    Faculty
    Fast Food Friday
    Guest Post
    Humor And Sarcasm
    Hump Day
    In The News
    Lessons Learned
    Lighting
    Luminar
    Lumix
    Marketing
    Mark's Corner
    Mind Your Own Business
    Miscellaneous
    Motivational
    One Step At A Time
    Photodex
    PhotoShelter
    PhotoTexting
    Platypod
    Podcasts
    Profoto
    Sales
    Search
    Skylum
    Social Media
    Sunday Morning Reflections
    Tamron
    Tamron Recipes
    Technique
    Throwback Thursday
    Wedding Photography
    Westcott
    Why?

Categories​

Business
Marketing
Technique
Sales
Fast Food Fridays
​

Podcasts

Tamron Recipes 
Beyond Technique
Why?
Mind Your Own Business
Pro Photographer Journey

 Partners

Tamron
Photofocus

​Lumix

Marathon Press
​Platypod
©  2019 Skip Cohen University
  • Home
  • SCU Blog
  • Our Podcasts
  • About Us