“I’ve done photography since I was 8 years old. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. My mother used to say, 'Karen, you can't just go up to anyone and talk to them!' but I’ve always been curious about people and their stories, and I've made a living doing that. I grew up in Chicago, which is where I started as a photographer. I was visiting there just last week, saw a homeless family, and felt compelled to take their photo (see b & w below). What strikes me most about this image is the resilience the youngest child shows. Her sister is hiding, her brother and mother look despondent, and then there’s this little girl smiling away at me, seemingly oblivious to their dire situation. I haven't stopped thinking about them since; the image is so powerful to me. It’s interesting too that this photo was taken just steps from where I took another photo when I was still a high school student. That image was of a woman sitting on a concrete bench in Grant Park. She looked up at me with such a haunting expression on her face. Everyone who saw that picture later seemed to connect with her.
“My favorite kind of photography captures those fleeting moments that are honest, real, heartfelt and soulful. That’s what street photography is about. I’ve shot fashion, album covers, portraits, and news, but there’s something about the integrity of street photography: the rawness, the honesty, and sometimes even the anonymity, that I love. I’ve been drawn to street photography my whole life. I love sharing images that touch me deeply, that resonate with other people, and that say something about our common humanity. I would describe myself as a storyteller who happens to use a camera.
“My current photography exhibit (reception on Sunday) is two-fold. A portion of it showcases my classic photojournalism portfolio, with the news and feature images from my 25 years with the Commercial Appeal. The other portion of the show is more artistic and is my attempt to put beauty out into the world.”
“My favorite kind of photography captures those fleeting moments that are honest, real, heartfelt and soulful. That’s what street photography is about. I’ve shot fashion, album covers, portraits, and news, but there’s something about the integrity of street photography: the rawness, the honesty, and sometimes even the anonymity, that I love. I’ve been drawn to street photography my whole life. I love sharing images that touch me deeply, that resonate with other people, and that say something about our common humanity. I would describe myself as a storyteller who happens to use a camera.
“My current photography exhibit (reception on Sunday) is two-fold. A portion of it showcases my classic photojournalism portfolio, with the news and feature images from my 25 years with the Commercial Appeal. The other portion of the show is more artistic and is my attempt to put beauty out into the world.”
From Karen's FB page (with permission):
So for those of you who have said you don't know what to expect at a photo exhibit: First of all, it is more about you (the community) than me. It's about Memphis, the people who live here, and the moments that tell our stories of joy, pain, and history. I am also introducing some new work that is there just because it is pretty. Come, be social, and have a glass of wine, cheese & crackers, or some Honey Rosemary cookies from Muddy's Bake Shop. For photobuffs, I am happy to talk about the photos and answer questions. My mastery is not in equipment nor Photoshop; my talent is in how I see and how I poise to capture an image that will make you care.
So for those of you who have said you don't know what to expect at a photo exhibit: First of all, it is more about you (the community) than me. It's about Memphis, the people who live here, and the moments that tell our stories of joy, pain, and history. I am also introducing some new work that is there just because it is pretty. Come, be social, and have a glass of wine, cheese & crackers, or some Honey Rosemary cookies from Muddy's Bake Shop. For photobuffs, I am happy to talk about the photos and answer questions. My mastery is not in equipment nor Photoshop; my talent is in how I see and how I poise to capture an image that will make you care.
Karen Pulfer Focht, Photojournalist
- Website: www.karenpulferfocht.com
- FB: http://www.facebook.com/KarenPulferFochtPhotojournalist
- Instagram: @karenpulferfocht
- Twitter: @karenfocht
- Email: [email protected]
- Listen HERE to Karen's Interview with Kacky Walton, WKNO-FM
- Bio from Karen's website: Karen Pulfer Focht has received innumerable awards during her career. Most notably, she was presented with the Society of Professional Journalists' Medallion for Distinguished Service to the American People for her series on infant mortality in Memphis, "Born to Die." For this project, she also was awarded the Casey Foundation Medal For Meritorious Journalism. Karen got her start at the newspapers near her hometown of Chicago. From there, she went to the Post-Tribune in Northwest Indiana, where she was named Indiana Photographer of the Year in 1987 as a rookie. With The Commercial Appeal (1988-2014), her photo assignments took her to the White House, New Zealand, Peru, China, and France. Karen was chosen as a photographer for the book project America 24/7. The America 24/7 team of top international photojournalists took extraordinary pictures of an ordinary week in America. She's been published in many national and international publications, including Newsweek, Rolling Stone, People, Sports Illustrated and a cover on Time Magazine for Kids.
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