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All Pictures© bobshannon.org & Huckleberry Press

Bob Shannon retired, okay,

but no such thing as "shutter down" for the freelance photographer

Most of this past year, freelance photographer Bob Shannon has provided Huckleberry Press readers with a panoramic diary of beautiful northern Ferry County. Through Shannon’s photographs, one has been able to see what it might be like for Curlew’s rural residents to traverse a mountain road through snow thaw in February, to take in the nobility of a persistent old barn emerging from the cover of heavy winter, or to allow the beauty of a Kettle River valley permeate the spirit. With his photos, Shannon has provided insight to the interesting and unique history of the Curlew/Malo region north of Republic.

This spring, Shannon and wife, Jane, graduated the last of their seven children from high school. Most recently, with their children solidly invested in directions of their own, the self-described "seriously retired" Shannon’s relocated to Cheney.

Despite the Shannon’s "serious retirement," Bob and Jane can’t help but continue to contribute to their community.

Dennis Wuerth, President of the Ferry County Chamber of Commerce recognized Bob Shannon on behalf of the Chamber in a gracious letter to Shannon recently by stating, "You willingly helped us with our projects and publicly supported our efforts to bring the Ferry County business community together. We sincerely thank you for your website and all you have done for the Ferry County community.

"We’ll miss you, Bob Shannon. You’ve provided our community a great service. Although you will be gone, you will always be with us. Thank you for your unselfish attitude and your care and love for our county."

Several weeks ago, Huckleberry Press responded to requests from West Spokane residents to stock the paper closer to Spokane. The Shannons have been instrumental in facilitating the distribution of the Huckleberry Press to Cheney, Medical Lake, and Airway Heights. Many Spokane residents have expressed the value of being able to participate in Huckleberry Country events. The support of small businesses in Huckleberry Country is vital to the rural economy.

Huckleberry Press wanted to switch the spotlight around by shedding a little light on Bob Shannon. We found it’s no wonder Shannon can’t stay away from the camera ... Shannon has had a camera swinging from his neck almost his entire life.

Bob Shannon was given his first camera in 1953 by his father who taught the younger Shannon the art of developing life on film in the darkroom. Bob soon became the neighborhood photographer in his west Cleveland stomping grounds, and had his first photographs published as a teen working for the West Side News and the Cleveland Press.

Shannon worked as a photojournalist while in the US Army at the Walter Reed base newspaper from 1962-64. He went full freelance in 1966 after marrying Jane and was published by several local newspapers and magazines.

In 1971, Shannon began work for the Sun Newspapers Group owned by Senator Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio. Metzenbaum owned 13 newspapers. Shannon worked for all of them and became a member of the National Press Photographers Association.

In 1976 the Shannons relocated to Mendocino, California and continued to have works published in The Mendocino Beacon and The Fort Bragg Advocate.

When The Mendocino Beacon was sold, Shannon parted company and began the majority of his freelance and art gallery work.

In 1988, Shannon relocated his family, along with his art gallery work, to Malo, Washington.

For a short period of time, Shannon produced a newsletter which covered the northern half of Ferry county.

Shannon started his website www.bobshannon.org in 2000. the website covers news as well as local sports. Shannon also became a frequent contributor to newspapers outside of Ferry County.

In 2001, Shannon "went digital," sold the darkroom, and discovered a whole new arena for photojournalism. This new media promoted the growth of www.bobshannon.org. Shannon’s website reports approximately 300 unique hits per day.

The Omak Chronicle and the Huckleberry Press have published many of Shannons photos.

The website, operated by contributions, is updated 3 to 4 times a day. Occasionally, Shannon will receive a request for photos for sale. The Malo Store features an exclusive line of Shannon postcards.

"Perhaps as time goes by I will expand that to include my new home in Cheney," Shannon speculates.

Shannon added, "Without a doubt, I give all of the credit for my talent to God. My hands work through and for Him. That is my testimony!"

Bob Shannon promises to keep Huckleberry Press readers connected with the expanded area of Huckleberry Country by continuing to capture life on digital film wherever he may be. Shannon is a valuable emmisary for all of us in Huckleberry Country. v