Paris Chong sits down with her good friend, the multi-talented Ray Barbee, to discuss his new book, “The Joy is Capturing the Journey.” Ray, renowned for his legendary career as a professional skateboarder and a gifted photographer, explains how the book's title reflects his passion for documenting his blessed life and the sheer fun he finds in the process, from shooting to printing in the darkroom. The conversation also touches on his enduring career in skateboarding, including his long-standing sponsorships with brands like Vans and Crooked Skateboards, and a look back at his most significant skateboarding injury—a broken scaphoid bone that kept his wrist in a cast for nine months.
Ray shares details about his family and musical roots, noting that his two sons are both skateboarders, with Max recently earning a full-ride football scholarship. He recalls growing up with jazz and soul music in the house, thanks to his parents, but notes that MTV introduced him to rock and roll, sparking his desire to play guitar. He shares a charming story of performing an air-broom guitar solo to AC/DC’s "For Those About to Rock" at a fifth-grade talent show. This early passion for music, combined with a fortuitous gift of an old-school skateboard, laid the foundation for his professional life.
The discussion highlights the beautiful connection between Ray's skateboarding and photography styles, describing both as an improvisational act of "documenting moments" and "being surprised by something and hitting it... in the moment." An accomplished musician as well, Ray discusses how technology allows him to be a "one-man band" using a pedal to turn his guitar into a bass. Wrapping up, he mentions his newly released EP, “Little Postcard,” and his upcoming plans to support both the book and the album with a photo exhibition and performance at the Moments Festival in Spain. Ray attributes his famously cheerful demeanor to his faith, quoting the proverb, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful," and expressing deep gratitude for his journey.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:34 Meet Ray Barbie: Skateboarder and Photographer
00:46 Ray Barbie's New Book
02:33 The Joy of Skateboarding
05:16 Family and Parenting
08:08 Growing Up with Music
18:48 Discovering Skateboarding
24:43 From Skateboarding to Street Photography
25:50 The Parallels Between Music and Photography
26:17 Skateboarding and Rhythm
26:59 Desiree and Photography
27:36 Transitioning to Podcasts
30:37 Faith and Spirituality
38:29 Seeking Truth and Finding Peace
48:44 Upcoming Projects and Travels
51:19 Conclusion and Farewell
Links to Ray Barbee
- Ray Barbee's Instagram
- Ray Barbee's Wikipedia
- Ray's Spotify page
- Skateboarding Hall of Fame - Link
- Ilford Photo Gallery - Link
- Interview in TapeOp Magazine - Link
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios
