THE SHADOW CATCHERS

Early Native Americans called photographers “Shadow Catchers” 

believing their spirits or shadows were caught for all time…We also believe.

Most of the images that Shadow Catchers publishes and distributes come from The Susan Parish Collection of Photography.  And, most of the photographers represented in Ms. Parish's Collection have passed on ~ leaving only their imagery and the shadow's of times and things past to remember them by.  Many of these photographers were very respected professionals sought after for their artistry as well as successful operators of small businesses supporting families and active members in their communities. They are often referred to as the 'working photographers' ~ who shot photos for hire for commercial purposes.  All were collected for their craft and their excellence in their chosen field of photography.

A few were amateurs that took photos for the simple love of making a photo.  And,. then their were the documentarians; like Mary Mires, who made photos as visual documents of a time or way of life ~ knowing full well what they were doing and why.  All photographers use photography to express themselves and as a communication tool.

And, only a very few, such as Edward Curtis, made their photographs with the intention of 'fine art' photographs to hang in museums or on gallery walls, although many of their images are now very important contributions to museum and art collections and purchased by photography collectors of all ages worldwide.

The Susan Parish Collection contains images by over 100 separate photographers and the ones listed below constitute the largest number of negatives and images.

JEFFERS STUDIO a.k.a. JEFFERS ART STUDIO ( 1903 - 1970 )

Olympia, Washington, USA

JOSEPH JEFFERS (1882-1924)

OPAL PRIGMORE JEFFERS (1854-1972)

VIBERT JEFFERS  (1905-1975)

For 70 years, Jeffers’ Photographic Art Studio was the studio of choice for anyone visiting or living in Washington's State Capitol City, Olympia.  Today their photographs are in hundreds of permanent displays on the Capitol Campus; from the Governor’s Office to the Supreme Court; in Corporate Collections such as Weyerhaeuser, Simpson, IBM, Miller Brewing Company, and Boeing; and are included in numerous museum collections and valued in the Special Collections at the Universities of Washington, Central and Eastern.

This family business operated as a commercial, portrait and fine art, photographic studio and was in continuous operation from 1903 to 1973.  Joe Jeffers traveled the Puget Sound photographing the early development of the new frontier. 

An avid sportsman and adventurer, he died tragically in 1924 while on a photographic expedition for the new in the Olympic Mts.   Jeffers Glacier on the south side of Mt. Olympus is named in his honor.  His wife, Opal Prigmore Jeffers took up the cameras and carried on the business until handing it over to their son, Vibert in 1930.  When "Vibe" retired in 1973 the Jeffers family had left behind a legacy of approximately 60,000 negatives, including original prints.  Much of Vibe's unique style grew out of his studies in Hollywood, CA during the early thirties.  Subject matter is extensive. The hundreds of images of the State Capitol, its' events and people, including the construction of the Capitol Campus buildings, are an important part of this valuable Collection.

Jeffers Studio Story         Joe Jeffers' Catalog 

Vibert Jeffers Story        Vibert Jeffers' Catalog

MARY ROLAND MIRES (1862-1940) ~ Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Mary and family were pioneers in the Ellensburg area of Kittitas County, WA in the 1860’s.  Although not a professional photographer, Mary was a serious, very talented artist.  Her interests as a housewife and mother are reflected in her photographs that include her surroundings: family outings and recreational pleasures, intriguing portraits, landscapes, streetscapes, and community events such as the famous Ellensburg Rodeo.  Especially important are her portraits of local Native Americans ~ most from the Yakama tribe.  Her images are timeless, romantic, whimsical and occasionally experimental.

Mires Biography        Mires Photo Catalog

MERLE JUNK  (1899-1981) ~ Olympia, Washington, USA

dba  Silvertone Photo Co., Olympia, WA

Mr. Junk, also based in Olympia, WA, photographed the Puget Sound area for over 35 years - from the late 1920’s into the 1960's.  Much of his work is in the photojournalism or documentary style.  Mr. Junk’s approximately 10,000 commercial negatives contain local and state subject matter including many aerials of Thurston County.  There are also many images of statewide interest because of the location of his business in the Capitol City of Olympia brought many contracts with state government entities including the construction of Interstate 5 for the Dept. of Transportation and the Dept. of Commerce commissions for Washington State tourism promotion.

Merle Junk's Catalog

RON ALLEN ~ ( Collection 1960 - 1995 )

Mr. Allen began working with and then purchased Merle Junk's photographic business in the early 1960's. Although much of his work was in portraiture, he was a photographer with the Washington State Legislature, the WA State Patrol and staff photographer for the Southwest Washington / Puyallup Fair for many years. His body of work is still being cataloged and more information will be available later as to subject matter.