Author

Karen Pulfer Focht

Karen Pulfer Focht

Karen Pulfer Focht is a freelance photojournalist in Memphis, Tennessee who has won numerous awards in her career, many for in-depth projects about children and families. Her work is regularly published in newspapers and magazines around the world.

Signs at the 2023 Memphis Juneteenth Festival Celebration in Health Science Park in Memphis, Tennessee June 17, 2023. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Juneteenth in Tennessee

By: , and - June 18, 2023

Tennesseans didn’t wait until Monday to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved Texans learned they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. In May, Gov. Bill Lee signed a law recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday, two years after President Joe Biden declared it a federal holiday. Cities […]

Sen. Charlane Oliver and Tequila Johnson, co-founders of The Equity Alliance. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The new civil rights leaders

By: , and - May 12, 2023

In March 2021, the Tennessee Lookout published a photo essay on Nashvillians who participated in the Freedom Rides of the early 1960s — a series of protests against segregation on private bus lines — coupled with narratives taken from interviews with area Freedom Riders. So in early 2022, photojournalist John Partipilo began working on his […]

Gov. Bill Lee at the Factory in Franklin, Tenn., the night before the 2022 election on Nov. 7, 2022. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Election 2022 in photos

By: and - November 12, 2022

Throughout the 2022 election cycle in Tennessee, photojournalists John Partipilo and Karen Pulfer Focht documented candidates — and incumbents — debating, speaking at rallies and working polls, culminating on the Nov. 8 Election Day. The pair, with an Election Day assist from Nick Fantasia, captured the stress, excitement and tension of campaigning.    

Retail space is stocked with local merchandise in preparation for the grand opening. The $245 million project at the Memphis International Airport is complete. The modernized and newly renovated B Concourse will officially open on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Departing flights will begin operations at the new concourse on Wednesday, February 16. In addition to updated retail, and food/beverage operations the redesign includes the addition of wider corridors, moving walkways, larger boarding areas, higher ceilings and increased natural lighting with “smart windows” that tint according to the level of light coming into the space. The space is beautified with 61 different artworks representing 62 artists, all of which are from or connected to Memphis. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Memphis completes airport renovations

By: - February 15, 2022

The $245 million multi-year project at the Memphis International Airport is complete. The modernized and newly renovated B Concourse will officially open the evening Tuesday at 5 p.m.  In addition to updated retail, and food/beverage operations the redesign includes the addition of wider corridors, moving walkways, larger boarding areas, higher ceilings and increased natural lighting […]

COMMENTARY
Two Amish men continue their routine of delivering milk, while an American flag flies at half staff. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The year in photos: Part Two

By: , and - December 30, 2021

In our second gallery of photographs that defined 2020, we share works by photojournalists John Partipilo and Karen Pulfer Focht on topics including the environment, families with special needs children and immigration issues. While 2021 wasn’t characterized by the same type of demonstrations that marked 2020, the year nonetheless had its share of demonstrations by […]

COMMENTARY
Gov. Bill Lee at a plant dedication Humboldt, Tennessee in March, pictured with plant workers. (Photo: John Partipilo)

2021: The year in photos

By: , and - December 28, 2021

Great writing and excellent photojournalism go together like peas and carrots, and the Tennessee Lookout has the good fortune to work with excellent writers and photographers. 2021 was a lesser sibling to 2020, our launch year. If the latter gave us the opportunity to cover Black Lives Matter protests, COVID test sites and bombings, the […]

Tidings of Joy: West Tennessee gets lit

By: and - December 24, 2020

The December holiday season of Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, is typically anticipated with joy. This year has been epically hard, filled with pandemic, recession, calls for racial justice and election strife. The holiday parties we look forward to? Gone this year. Big church celebrations? Not recommended. But holiday light displays are always accessible. Mask-clad Tennesseans are […]

Rhodes College, Sept. 22, 2020- in Memphis Tennessee. Amy Coney Barrett, who is one of the top choices to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court attended Rhodes College in the early 90's. As a member of the Rhodes College Class of 1994, Coney Barrett graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in English. While at Rhodes, she was elected to the Honor Council and to the Student Hall of Fame. She has gone on to a career of professional distinction and achievement. Alumnus Abe Fortas Õ30 became a Supreme Court justice. (Photo: © Karen Pulfer Focht)

From the 901: Potential Supreme Court Justice is Rhodes College grad

By: and - September 23, 2020

The news that Rhodes College graduate Amy Coney Barrett is one of the top choices – and possibly the favorite –  of President Donald Trump to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court came with pride tinged with sadness at her alma mater. As the debate rages nationally over whether the […]