HISTORY OF OUR NAME ~ MISSION STATEMENT

SHADOW CATCHERS  by Susan Parish, Owner

Shadow Catchers is the name American Indians reportedly called photographers in the 1840's. Believing their 'shadows' (life essence or spirit) would be captured within the large black boxes wielded by these cameramen and women ~ many refused to be photographed. Not as well known is that this belief was not endemic, ethnic, nor a superstitious response to having your portrait made. It was a common response. At the dawn of photography, in the 1840's, most people were afraid at first to look for any length of time at daguerreotypes, a very early type of photographic capture, as they were embarrassed and shocked by the clarity. Similar to the reactions in our time to the current High Definition photography/videography. And, many believed that the tiny faces in the mirrored glass ~ were gazing back at them. Easy to understand when you view an Ambrotype which looks very similar to a holograph.

At Shadow Catchers we know that these spirits ~ of places and events ~ and, people that once lived and breathed and walked the earth as we now do ~ unlike paintings rendered from an 'artist's interpretation' of a reality ~ were not only solid in front of the camera's eye at that instant in time but in the case of documentary photography as most of the early work was ~ were captured without interpretation or manipulation ~ and can be experienced on many levels.

We look upon these images and can, with only slight access to our imaginations experience ~ Time Travel ~ by using them as our guide. This is only one of the reasons why I am dedicated to preserving these visual remnants of time for this and future generations. Photography is Visual Communication that crosses all language, age and political boundaries and barriers. Experience them as Art ~ Experience them as History ~ but also let them tell you their Stories. If Eyes are Windows to the Soul ~ Photographs are Windows in Time.

Look into eyes that once held life ~ see a world that once was ~ and hear without ears

Come in and Explore the Visual Language of Photography