Established in 1982, my collection is a privately held photographic archive featuring historical, modern, and contemporary images of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Spanning from the 1860s to the present, the collection documents pivotal moments, everyday life, and evolving artistic styles across generations. It includes original negatives and materials from over 78 photographers, as well as significant photographers such as the Joe and Vibert Jeffers of the Jeffers Art Studio Collection and works by amateur photographer, Mary Rowland Mires.
THE LONG STORY....
Viewing historic film negatives in large format within the Jeffers Studio archive - after many years of working with 35mm film in my professional communications career, news coverage and personal work - I fell in awe and in love. It changed my career and life. The wonder of historic films showed me the history of my hometown and was eye-opening to a woman who was a news and current events photographer. But it was the talent of Vibert's brilliant artist's eye that stunned me. As no one of my generation knew of this local talent and photographers of the past here in the 'remote' PNW they weren't considered as artists - rather just working photographers.
The photographs also showed me what I could gain as an artist from this treasure trove. Later, after researching local and regional photo collections available, I realized the danger of what was in danger of being lost. So I created a business with the Mission to Preserve & Celebrate the Photographers and Photohistory of the Salish Sea and Pacific Northwest Regions of North America. And to Celebrate my Home Region that means so much to me.
SMYTH LANDING PHOTO-HISTORY WALLS
As I receive no grant funding and operate as a private stock photography business funding my preservation and restoration of historical photographs solely by the Sales and Licensing of these photographs - I thank you for your interest and also your Sales! Learning very early the importance of By creating “Museums Without Walls,” for the past 40+ years I have brought historical photographs into everyday spaces, inviting all who view and particularly community members to connect with their shared past.
This is my way of recognizing the importance of remembering and honoring the past and our ancestors but the creators of these photos, especially during times when connection and understanding are most needed.
Susan using Jeffers Field Camera, Gull Harbor, 1984. Photo by Carl Cook.
I came to photography as it was my dad's hobby and I escaped its watchful eye by getting behind the lens. My first photo was grade school friends and go-cart racing using dad's camera then capturing my own images in 1957 after acquiring my first camera, a plastic box with one setting, by sending in breakfast cereal box tops
After college Business, Humanities and Communications degrees I became a professional public information officer concentrating on photography creating visual stories on film and in traveling displays for companies and for state government. In 1982, while on a Humanities Grant on Women Political Pioneers in our Washington State Government I discovered the chaos of photo studio archives private and public and assisted in founding local and state government photo archives and getting legislative interest backing. After which I formally established The Susan Parish Collection of Photography and purchased The Jeffers Art Studio Collection. And, founded Shadow Catchers in 1989 as the distributor and production arm for my photographic-based products, utilizing images licensed from my collections. Link to View my own Art Here
Born and raised in the Southern Puget Sound region by an adventurous motor-head father on a ranch in when we weren't working on the ranch or racing motorized vehicles, we were exploring the Salish Seas and the Olympic Mountains. My soul is tied to deep forests and wild shorelines. Cognizant and sensitive to its history and too rapid changes affecting this region.
JOURNALS OF A SHADOW CATCHER - Is Currently Off Line