The Susan Parish Collection of Photography

JEFFERS ART STUDIO

Part 1 - Joseph C. Jeffers

This family business operated as a commercial, portrait and fine art, photographic studio and was in continuous operation in Olympia, Washington from 1903 to 1973 under the original Jeffers Family.

The Jeffers' building, built by one of Washington's esteemed historic architects, joseph Wohleb, in 1911 it as the first in the northwest with north-facing skylights - perfect for a photo studio.

For 70 years, Jeffers’ Photographic Art Studio was the 'studio of choice' for anyone visiting or living in the southern Puget sound. And. because of their talent Their photographs are located in hundreds of permanent displays and are included in numerous museum, corporate and private collections around the world. Many can be seen in south sound commercial interiors, decorating restaurants, banks and more. On Washington state Capitol Campus, from the Governor’s Office to the Supreme Court they tell the story of Washington.

JOSEPH JEFFERS

FOUNDER OF JEFFERS ART STUDIO

1884 - 1924

After apprenticing with local photographer A. D. Rogers, Joe Jeffers traveled the Southern Puget Sound capturing the early development of the ...An avid sportsman and adventurer, he died tragically in 1924 while on a photographic expedition documenting the glaciers on Mt. Olympus for the university of Washington. His body never recovered, Jeffers Glacier on the south side of Mt. Olympus in the Olympic National Park is named in his honor. *my published story about his story is available.

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 1930's. His Gallery is here...

Photographic Subject matter is extensive with the hundreds of images of the State Capitol, its' events, and people, including the construction of the Capitol Campus buildings, Governor's legislators, Supreme Court, etc., are an important and invaluable part of this Collection.