Back to the 90s and Photo-Industry Events

The year is 1990 at the PMDA annual special event, which took place at the United Nations in the delegate's dining room. Casper Weinberger was the guest speaker and surrounding him are the members of the PMDA Board at the time.

by Skip Cohen

For me, the fun of Throwback Thursday is in the hunt for images. Lately, it's been tough to find anything new, but thanks to an old buddy, here's a shot I haven't shared.

Every year, PMDA (Photographic Manufacturers and Distributors Association) held at least two significant events. The group shot above is from the annual dinner. But that same year, or a year or two after, the shot on the right, was from the PMDA holiday party. It's a grab shot that my pal, Bob Nunn, sent me recently.

Bob was president of the association that year, and Jackie Augustine and I were vice-presidents. In the evening, we held a raffle for door prizes, which explains why I'm holding what appears to be an empty punch bowl. But the best part of the backstory concerns formal attire.

A bunch of us wanted to make the evening truly special. We got rid of the rubber-chicken dinner theme - it was rare to get a good meal for 250 people. We went with passed hors d'oeuvres and black tie. However, a few months before, in the Board meeting, we brought up the black tie idea, and I'll never forget Sam Fisher being furious - "I have a black tie, but I'm not wearing a tux!"  he screamed. He just didn't get the concept. We made it "black-tie optional" and the problem was solved!

If you haven't been on your hunt for throwbacks today, take the time. Old photographs have a way of reminding us of the incredible career path we all chose in imaging. And it doesn't matter what part of the business you're in - what a kick to know our industry helps the world capture memories!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

---