Remembering Kevin W. Raber

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Kevin Raber's passing.

Kevin, the founder of PhotoPXL and former CEO of Luminous Landscape, suffered a series of strokes on Sunday night into early Monday morning. Despite medical intervention, his condition was irreversible as the strokes had affected his brain stem.

Kevin was more than just a figure in our photography community—he was a friend and mentor to many of us, myself included. His passion for photography, his generous spirit, and his willingness to share his knowledge have left an indelible mark on our community and the broader world of photography.

Just last week, he and I were scheming about how best to approach a TWIP episode on how he used an iPhone 13 to shoot and produce stunning large prints. The plan was to riff on one of his previous posts.

Those who knew Kevin will remember his enthusiasm, his technical expertise, and his ability to build connections among photographers of all levels. He had a remarkable way of making complex concepts accessible and inspiring others to push their creative boundaries.

He leaves his wife Debra, sister Christine and sons Kevin, Bobby & Scott, his step-son and -daughter Maxwell & Claire and granddaughters Mia, Ellie & Frances – and so many friends & colleagues. Lastly his beloved dog Maggie and the cats Ansel, Jupiter & Nova.

Here are a few quotes pulled from what would be our final conversation:

“It’s not enough to love photography—you’ve got to fight for it. Fight for its place in the world, fight for its history, and fight for its future.”

“A photograph isn’t finished until it’s printed.”

“AI is going to change everything. We’re already seeing it with tools like Gigapixel AI—imagine what’s coming next.”

“If I can print a 44×60 from an iPhone with AI, imagine what’s next.”

“Graham Nash gets it—printing is where photography comes to life. It’s not just about pixels, it’s about permanence.”

When asked for advice on running a successful photography community, he said:

“Just find the people who care — the rest will sort itself out.”

In the coming days, I encourage you to share your memories of Kevin and how he, or his projects, influenced your photographic journey. His legacy lives on through his family, the work he inspired, and the community he helped build.

With respect and gratitude,
Frederick