About Shadow Catchers and The Susan Parish Collection


Dedicated to preserving historic and modern era photographs for future generations.

Our Products are Individually Handcrafted & Made in the USA ~ since 1992 Our Photographs have been Made in the USA ~ since 1867 Most photographs we distribute are licensed from The Susan Parish Collection of Photography ~ a private photographic archives ~ established in 1982 Proceeds of Sales and Programs support the Preservation of Photograph Archives

HISTORY OF OUR NAME ~ MISSION STATEMENT 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.
We invite you to Experience all our Images as Art and History. Enjoy their Beauty ~ but also let them tell you Their Stories. Edward S. Curtis ~the most famous of the Shadow Catchers is from our region of the Pacific Northwest and we offer a limited number of his images.
established 1982 Susan Parish, owner of Shadow Catchers and The Susan Parish Collection of Photography, has been a professional photographer since 1978 and a photo-collector since the 1950's. Parish is a Freelance Photographer and Writer whose professional career has spanned most aspects of the genre ~ news, documentary, editorial, architectural, environmental, model portfolios, weddings and events. She has been a Newspaper Columnist, Editor, Arts Program Designer and Director, Visitor Services Director, a professional Exhibit Creator & Curator at the Washington State Capitol where her work in historical research and preservation helped create several historic preservation laws and in establishing Washington State's Photo Archives. For most of her career she specialized in Black & White Photography, however Parish's newer Digital Color Photographs are a favorite with interior decorators and collectors. Photographs she has made, and those she has printed from negatives by other photographers in her private archives ~ are published in over 100 publications, videos and installed in over 3,000 locations and are in public, commercial and private collections internationally. LINK TO MORE INFORMATION
*A Passion for Photography, the Pacific Northwest & Visual History*
As a communicator and artist I couldn't be happier living in the 21st Century with the incredible technology now available. And, although I do occasionally miss my darkroom, I can now restore historic images that haven't been viewed since the photographer made them decades ago. Details emerge from the depths and layers of time. Processes to enhance the art that I could never achieve in my darkroom. Color tinting not possible in the past and beautiful papers previously reserved for only painters and the graphic arts. It's artistically very exciting! At Shadow Catchers we combine the newest in professional photography processes and the newest art framing processes with our own extensive experience (LOL ~since we are all 60+) ~ to offer our customers unique, high quality art in a variety of formats and photo based products for decor & licensing ~ and, at very competitive pricing. As Shadow Catchers' Owner & Photo Editor, I call upon my own generational Pacific Northwest Heritage and a 30+ year career as professional photographer, photo-journalist, photo editor and publisher to select the best in iconic photo images for our art publishing. Thank you for your visit. Please consider purchasing our products and services. ~ Susan Parish
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED IMAGES AND TEXT COPYRIGHTS (C)2011 SUSAN PARISH & SHADOW CATCHERS

HISTORY OF OUR NAME ~ MISSION STATEMENT

LINK TO MORE INFORMATION