#Photojournalist in Memphis Karen Pulfer Focht

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Memphis Madness 2019

A photo gallery from Memphis Madness, a sold out event which took place at the Fed Ex Forum on Oct. 3rd, 2019. This event is used as an opportunity to showcase the new talent in the basketball program at the University of Memphis.

This years theme was All The Smoke. Rappers Future, Lil Baby, MoneyBagg Yo, Young Dolph, Key Glock performed during the rally.

Memphis has the number one recruiting class in the country and the number one recruit, James Wiseman.

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The Magic of Christmas

A child delights in a hug from Santa at Wolfchase Galleria . It was the two-year-olds first ever visit with Santa and one she will remember. (Karen Pulfer Focht 2002©)

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

When I am long gone, this is one of the images that I will be remembered by.

Most photographers and artists have a few images like that.

 But here is The Rest of The Story~

 As a photojournalist, I have always loved to photograph Santa and the children each holiday. As a matter of fact, I love photographing children in general, children have always been one of my niches. Over the years, I often shot Santa on a slow day in the days leading up to Christmas.

 To be honest, my enthusiasm was usually met with grumbles from grumpy old newsmen who had little tolerance for “cute.” But I had a special relationship with my readers. They loved my slice of life photographs of children, animals, and the elderly. I regularly fought to get them in the newspaper. I considered my human interest features the spoon full of sugar to help the medicine (harsh news of the day) go down.

 We need to be reminded of goodness, kindness, and the beauty in the world.

 Almost 20 years ago, I was working the early morning shift at the Commercial Appeal which at the time was a major regional daily newspaper owned by Scripps Howard. I listened to the police scanner. I heard a robbery in progress of a Brinks truck, at the Wolf Chase Mall. It was Dec. 23rd.

 I went to the mall to cover the story.  

 I shot the scene. While waiting for the inevitable press conference, I called the newspaper and said I’d like to shoot photos of Santa while I was at the mall. They assured me there was no room for Santa and we had had enough of Santa Claus this year. (Picture the Grinch face here)

 I could not resist. I think as a photographer, especially a photojournalist, we need to continue to shoot the photographs that make us happy, even if they will not be used in the newspaper or ever seen by a client. Sometimes we lose that desire to shoot for ourselves. It becomes all about work.

 So, while I waited, I went over to shoot Santa, for myself.

 The thought of missing all the magnificent fleeting moments that are all around us every day haunts me. It always has. The kind of photography I do is authentic and real. I often wait hours in anticipation that a special moment may unfold. Sometimes I position for months. There is a lot that goes into great photography. It takes patience, planning, anticipation, and intuition.

 So, I waited, watched, and had fun shooting the children with Santa that day.

 When I realized that I had captured a magnificent fleeting moment of this little child with Santa, I was so happy. I hoped they would make room for this special image.

 Once they saw the image, the discussion began. Can we make room for Santa? Where should it go? Should it be on page one or inside?

 The way I best remember it, our Managing Editor Otis Sanford loved this image and helped fight to get it in. He made a point of telling me how much he liked it and my work that day. He saw the specialness of this photo.

 This is a typical newsroom story.

 There have been times in my career that photos have made readers cry, photos that inspired them to action, photos that touched them in intangible ways. I have always strived to take those kinds of photographs. At a certain point, it becomes about the relationship I have with my readers, my community, my city, and my calling as a photojournalist.

 Often, they are photographs that are difficult to get into the paper for one reason or another. They may even touch people in a way that makes them uncomfortable. That is when I know I have hit a home run. Do people feel something when they look at my images? Do the images make them think? Does my photo garner some kind of response?

 When this photograph ran, I got calls and letters for days. People loved it, an elderly man told me it made him cry, many people said I captured the spirit of Christmas, it brought them joy.

 I always appreciated hearing from readers.

 For almost 20 years, people have told me they kept the clip and bring it out each Christmas, they post it, I post it. We share it repeatedly.

 I don’t take all the credit. I was listening to my heart, but some pictures I take are bigger than me. I am just the instrument. Something special came through me that day. A much-needed gift for our community.

By Karen Pulfer Focht ©2021

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Dominican Sisters Sing For Advent in Memphis

 Lumen Civitatis invited a choir of Dominican Sisters from the St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville to sing at St. Peter Catholic Church in downtown Memphis on Saturday December 5th, 2017. Lumen Civitatis, “Light of the City”, was founded to support and promote Catholic culture, education, and leadership in Memphis. Photos by Karen Pulfer Focht ©

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Winter Gives Way To Spring- Thousands of Tulips at Dixon

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Our story on PRI.ORG - Returning to Mexico

See the story and pictures here. Pictures by Karen Pulfer Focht and Story by Daniel Connolly.

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-01-18/more-mexicans-are-crossing-border-leave-us-here-s-one-family-s-story

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Bobby Rush wins Grammy at age 83

Congratulations to Mississippi Bluesman Bobby Rush who won a Grammy Sunday night. Rush, pictured above showing off his "lover's underwear" during a Memphis performance, keeps his audience in stitches while he sings them the blues. Rush, at age 83, has been entertaining almost his entire life and is one of the last great entertainers from his generation.

I have been at a few funerals with Bobby as some of the great Mississippi Bluesmen were being put to rest. Bobby played harmonica and led the guests in a procession outside as people left the funeral of piano bluesman Pinetop Perkins.

He also entertained the crowd before the funeral of B.B. King in Memphis.

Bobby told me one time, as he choked up, that he is "thankful to still be present." He frequently shows up at his gigs in his van which is loaded full of his wardrobe and records to sell.

He has come a long way from the days when he played the "Chitlin Circuit" for hamburgers. He tells the story that in those days he played from behind a curtain. The all white audiences didn't want to seetheir faces,  he told me of days long ago.

©Karen Pulfer Focht Pictures not for use without written permission

"Everything has changed but remains the same" he said.

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See more photos and videos of this amazing creature. 

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Billboard Names Rhodes College a Top Music Business Program

Congratulations to Rhodes College for being named a top music program. I am proud to be a part of this. I got an insiders look in the fall of 2018 when I documented their program over a few months.

Rhodes College students have an opportunity to use Memphis’ rich musical heritage as a learning playground.

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/billboard-names-rhodes-college-top-music-business-program

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9365285/billboard-top-music-business-schools-2020-list

https://insidememphisbusiness.com/editors-picks/movingtheneedle/

I made a prior post on this topic, Follow along on their journey as they visit legendary recording studios and create their own music as they learn. http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/audio-engineering-rhodes-college

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MEMPHIS TIGERS BEAT OLE MISS - 87-86

PHOTO GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MEMPHIS TIGERS BEAT OLE MISS MENS BASKETBALL GAME - 87-86 Saturday November 23rd, 2019.

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James Wiseman has been declared "likely ineligible" by the NCAA

James Wiseman, a star center on the University of Memphis men's basketball team, has been declared "likely ineligible" by the NCAA.

That news came out shortly before the game started Friday evening against UIC.

Wiseman played anyway, awaiting his day in court.

The story has been picked up all over the country. I was shooting the game for the Associated Press. Here is what they all are saying along with a photo gallery from the game. (Photos ©Karen Pulfer Focht/Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/9f0a07b772214dc1946281b5f9b1df66

https://dailymemphian.com/section/sports/article/8747/james-wiseman-ineligible-according-to-attorney

https://dailymemphian.com/section/sports/article/8764/calkins-memphis-declares-war-on-the-ncaa

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/08/sports/basketball/james-wiseman-memphis.html

https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/11/08/sports/ncaabasketball/bc-bkc-t25-illinois-chicago-memphis.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/11/08/court-allows-memphis-star-james-wiseman-play-shortly-after-ncaa-rules-him-ineligible/

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28036639/for-3-making-sense-james-wiseman-eligibility-issue-cole-anthony-shines-again

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Memphis Tigers/ James Wiseman Debut

THE MEMPHIS TIGERS IN PICTURES

The Memphis Tigers Mens Basketball Team beat South Carolina State 97-64 at the Fed Ex Forum on Tuesday night, Nov. 6, 2019.

Memphis Tiger fans finally got to see James Wiseman play. It was the season debut for James Wiseman. Fans were not disappointed.

Photo gallery above.

So great to see the coaches supporting each other, although who wouldn’t want to watch the Tigers play? The crowd rose to their feet and gave Memphis Tigers Football Coach Mike Norvell an extended standing ovation. (below)

Not really a Memphis Tiger fan yet? Talented sports writer Geoff Calkins can fill you in. He says James Wiseman was even better than imagined.

https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/sports/article/8659/calkins-james-wiseman-is-back-and-even-better-than

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RIP MARILYN, MY FAVORITE GIRAFFE AT THE MEMPHIS ZOO

RIP MARILYN:

On Oct. 30th, 2019 Memphis Zoo officials have announced the sad news that its oldest giraffe has died at the age of 26. Marilyn was a favorite of zoo visitors; she gave birth to six calves.

Zoo officials said in the post that the giraffe's "strong maternal instincts and experience made her a regular 'auntie' and 'midwife'" for other new mothers and young giraffes in the herd.

I’d like to celebrate her life! So, I built a photo gallery here of some of my pictures of Marilyn, her babies and some of the other giraffes. As a photojournalist in Memphis, I photographed Marilyn often and also many of her babies at one time or another over the years. Watching and photographing giraffes is one of my favorite pastimes.

Reticulated giraffes are endangered, but Marilyn did her share to reproduce this beautiful creature. The Memphis Zoo’s breeding program has been very successful. For several years here in Memphis, we’ve enjoyed baby giraffes each spring. The gestational period of a giraffe is over a year and their babies are usually born at about six feet in height.

Reticulated giraffes are native to Somalia but they are also found in Northern Kenya. It is estimated that there are less than 9,000 Reticulated Giraffes left in the wild.

The first video below is of Marilyn and her baby. I made other short videos of the giraffe’s at the Memphis zoo and I will share them here too because giraffes, especially baby giraffes, are such a joy to watch.

Thanks for the memories.

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CENTRAL STATION HOTEL OPENS!

Memphis Developer Henry Turley and Kemmons Wilson Companies have developed a 105 year old property in the South Main neighborhood of Memphis. Together they renovated and reopened The Central Station, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, this week.

Turley, who is known for developing “livable neighborhoods” said he wanted people who travel into Memphis by train to have a nice place to stay.

The hotel, which will showcase Memphis music, has a Listening Lounge/Bar— Eight and Sand, which contains an expansive collection of curated vinyl records spun by a local DJ.

The location is in the artsy South Main neighborhood of Memphis which hosts a Trolley Night once a month. The Arcade Restaurant and Earnestine and Hazels, a famous dive bar, and many other bars and eateries are within walking distance of the hotel. Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market next door spring to fall.

Within a mile guests can visit the National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street, a movie theater, The Orpheum Theater, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, The Blues Hall of Fame, Old Dominick Distillery and many other Memphis attractions.

http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/central-station-memphis

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ELVIS WEEK, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee 2019

Thousands of fans gather for the Candlelight Vigil in remembrance of the death of ELVIS PRESLEY at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley passed away on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. In the years since his death, fans from around the world gather each year at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee in the days surrounding the anniversary of his death for the annual event known as Elvis Week. (Photos by Karen Pulfer Focht ©)

FOR SOME OF THE PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THE KING BY MEMPHIS PHOTOJOURNALIST KAREN PULFER FOCHT SEE LINKS BELOW-

http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/elvisweek2018

http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/tag/Pricilla+Presley

http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/2015/1/10/elvis-turns-80

https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/elvis-presley-candlelight-vigil-at-graceland-in-pictures-1.620177

https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/presleys-1st-record-my-happiness-auctions-s401000

https://en.tempo.co/photo/54473/elvis-fans-mark-40th-anniversary-of-his-death#foto-6

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John Michael Talbot in Memphis

John Michael Talbot sings Healer of My Soul at St. Louis Catholic Church in Memphis, Tennessee. The event was sponsored by Lumen Civitatis. John Michael Talbot is an American Roman Catholic singer, songwriter, guitarist, author, television presenter and founder of a monastic community known as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.

He is a multi-platinum selling, Grammy / Dove award winning Contemporary Christian Music pioneer. He is recognized as one of Catholic music's most popular artists with compositions published in hymnals throughout the world.

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Hollywood Beach Private Pullman Car

Keith White purchased and restored the Hollywood Beach Private Pullman rail car, which is one of only three that existed. He houses the train car in St. Louis and offers a few short affordable trips per year for rail fans to enjoy.

 The Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad that existed from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967

 All Photos © Karen Pulfer Focht

Below is an original advertising picture of the Hollywood Beach put out by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad.

Nostalgia Rides the Rails-

Written by John L. Focht ©

FUNK'S GROVE, Ill.--As Amtrak's "Lincoln Service" train speeds along the Illinois prarie at 67 mph, it shows off a special car coupled to the rear---the Hollywood Beach, a restored private railcar, which is taking a group of 15 guests southbound to St. Louis.

It is a restored classic railcar originally used by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad to carry passengers on their "Silver Meteor" New York-to-Florida trains in the 1950s and 1960s.  It's an  unusual combination of half lounge and half Pullman sleeping car, one of only three such cars, built in 1957. 

The car is a labor of love for its owner, Keith White, 68,  of Naperville. Ill.  White is a retired Illinois Central/Canadian National rail traffic controller who started his career in Memphis, Tenn., then went on to Chicago. 

"I really need to have this," White said the first time he saw the car.  "So, it took a little bit of retirement savings, a little bit of an inheritance, and a little bit of foolishness," he laughs. 

It takes a lot of time and money to restore such a car, White says.  He bought the car in 2016 for an amount he doesn't specify.  He has spent about $500,000 to upgrade and renovate it.  And now there are storage fees, insurance costs, annual inspections, Amtrak's charges to pull the car. ($3.67 per mile).  

"It's definitely not for the faint of pocket book!" White says.

White has completely refurbished the Hollywood Beach, essentially bringing it back to its original look and feel.  The large solarium lounge, with its large windows all around and on top, gives riders a full panaoramic view as we cross the Mississippi River on the MacArthur Bridge.

The car has five complete private bedrooms, with individual bathrooms, for overnight guests. It sleeps 10.  The Pullman-style rooms provide a comfortable couch during the day and have beds that pull down from the wall for sleeping. Everything has been immaculately and expensively restored--- even the little "boxes" where first-class bedroom guests in the 50s could put their shoes before going to bed, to have them returned and shined by morning.

White has added a full kitchen and even a shower to the Hollywood Beach.

He runs trips on the car about four times a year, making arrangements to hook onto Amtrak on their routes.  The Hollywood Beach just completed roundtrips from Chicago to St. Louis and Chicago to Carbondale.  White and  several couples spent the night in the bedrooms while the car was parked at Chicago Union Station.

Guest fares pay the expenses and make White a little money, but the Hollywood Beach isn't about making money.  It's more about White sharing the experience. Likewise,  it's not all about getting to a destination--it's about enjoying the journey.

The affable White and his wife Maggie serve as the crew.  It has a homespun flavor. "It's like visiting Keith's cottage," said one of the guests, while sipping a beer.  Keith cooks bacon and eggs for breakfast and serves all the meals.  They put out bowls of Goldfish crackers and Tootsie Rolls.  He is a conductor, cook, waiter, maid and attendant all in one.

At the end of this trip, the car returns to St. Louis and is switched into its home,  the tracks next to St. Louis Union Station.

White, sweating, wearing an Illinois Central hardhat and yellow vest, says, "It's a lot of work. It's taxing. But I love it."