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THE SHADOW CATCHERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE SUSAN PARISH COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHY

& BIOGRAPHIES ~ A PARTIAL LISTING

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 The Susan Parish Collection have passed on ~ leaving only their images to remember them by. Most of these talented people were very respected professionals in the photography field. Sought after for their artistry as well as successful operators of small businesses with families to support and active in their communities. They are often referred to as the 'working photographers' who shot photos for hire for commercial purposes. Only a few were amateurs that took photos for the simple love of making a piece of art or capturing a memory.

And, a few photographers, like Mary Mires, also realized that they were making time capsules. Documenting a time or way of life ~ all too quickly passing ~ knowing full well what they were doing...and, why. And, though they did not normally intend to make 'art' photographs to hang in museums, many of their images are now an important part of museum and art collections and enjoyed by all ages internationally.

Although the SPC has images by over 100 different Photographers, the ones listed below constitute the major Collections and constitute the largest number of negatives by individual photographers.

To find out more about the Susan Parish Collection - Click Here.

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

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 Olympia, Washington . Today their photographs are in many permanent displays on the Capitol Campus, from the Governor’s Office to the Supreme Court; in corporate collections such as Weyerhaeuser, IBM, Miller Brewing Company, and Boeing; and are included in numerous museum and private collections. 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.

Link to Jeffers Studio Bio

Link to Joe Jeffers Photo Gallery

Link to Vibert Jeffers Bio

Link to Vibert Jeffers Photo Gallery

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.

Link: Mires Biography

Link: Mires Photo Gallery

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

dba Silvertone Photo Co.

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.

RON ALLEN ~ ( Collection 1960 - 1995 ) Olympia, WA

dba Ron Allen Photography

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 or Puyallup Fair for many years. His body of work is still being cataloged and more information will be available later as to subject matter.

~ SHADOW CATCHERS ~