Published
Published regularly in many national and international publications, including Associated Press, Reuters, European Pressphoto Agency, Newsweek, Time, Rolling Stone, People, Sports Illustrated, BBC, Global Times, Financial Times, Paris Match, Deutsche Welle, Aljazeera, The Atlantic, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Globe, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, PBS, NPR, ABC, MSN, CNN, CBS, NBA, America Magazine, The Guardian, Animal Planet, Entertainment Tonight, US Weekly, Living Blues, Memphis Magazine, Delta Magazine, Faith Magazine, Time Magazine and many more.
Karen is represented by ZUMA PRESS AGENCY
Bio-
Karen Pulfer Focht (pronounced FOLK)- is a freelance photojournalist who has won numerous awards in her career, many for in-depth documentary-style projects about children and families in Memphis, Tennessee. Her work is regularly published in newspapers and magazines around the world.
Prior to working for herself, she was a staff photographer for the preeminent newspaper in the Mid-South, The Commercial Appeal, renowned for its outstanding photojournalism while owned by Scripps Howard.
As an independent editorial photographer and folklorist, she continues to tell the stories of the people in her community and throughout the American South, where she brings her authentic documentary style to whatever assignment she is on. She has a diverse client list; she specializes in projects and editorial photography for the Associated Press, assorted magazines, wire services, custom publishing companies, and publications worldwide.
Karen has received innumerable awards during her career. Both Magnum and LensCulture recognized her as one of the world’s top contemporary photographers in 2017. Most notably, she was presented with the Society of Professional Journalists' Medallion for Distinguished Service to the American People for her documentary series on infant mortality in Memphis, "Born to Die." For this project, she also was awarded the Casey Foundation Medal For Meritorious Journalism.
In 2021 Karen was honored with a first-place national award for the heartfelt project she both wrote and photographed on the closing of the Poor Clare Monastery in Memphis. Faith Magazine dedicated an entire issue to tell the compelling story in a special edition after the Vatican ordered the closing of some shrinking monasteries worldwide.
Karen got her start at the newspapers near her hometown of Chicago, where she also studied photography at Columbia College. From there, she went to the Post-Tribune in Northwest Indiana, where she was named Indiana Photographer of the Year as a rookie. While at The Commercial Appeal her photo assignments took her to the White House, New Zealand, Peru, China, and France. She was chosen as a photographer for the book project America 24/7. The America 24/7 team of top photojournalists took extraordinary pictures of an ordinary week in America.
ADDITIONAL:
Karen produced a video column Faith in Memphis while at the Commercial Appeal. She continues to do limited video, producing occasional documentary and multimedia projects.
Karen has documented much of the historic and legendary Memphis music scene; she has done over two dozen album covers.
Her photography is spread throughout the pages of many books.
Professional affiliations- The American Society of Media Photographers, the premier trade association for the world’s most respected photographers; National Press Photographers Association; Women Photograph
Honored with Distinguished Alumnus Award - Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, Illinois 2018.
OUTSIDE OF WORK:
She is a ukulele and harmonica player, member of the Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob, travel blogger, pet lover, gardener, and humanitarian. Karen loves people & she loves to laugh.
“Karen Pulfer Focht has the eye of a journalist and the soul of a poet. It's not just her artistry at work here, it's her empathy. She sees with her heart, and when we look at her photographs, so do we.” Columnist David Waters
Recommendations-
“Karen's work stands out because of its strong content and story-telling qualities. What stands out about Karen is her passion about what she does and her deep desire to communicate. All the assignments she's taken for The Associated Press have been handled with commitment and enthusiasm.” Mark Humphrey Associated Press
"No one can capture a face, a mood, a scene – the human spirit – quite like Karen. She's the best.'' Marc Perrusquia Director, Institute for Public Service Reporting
"Karen is creative, sensitive and flexible. She displays empathy and quickly connects with subjects. Because she is so open and has such a good heart, she is easy to trust and she’s able to get intimate access to situations where other photographers would be shut out. " John Sale – Former Assistant Managing Editor for Visuals- The Commercial Appeal-Memphis
“Whether it's a portrait for a profile story or an atmospheric shot of Memphis, Karen is a go-to photographer at Contemporary Media. She's versatile, reliable, and easy to work with.” Anna Traverse Fogle-CEO, Contemporary Media, Inc.
“She is absolutely one of the most caring and prolific storytellers in photojournalism.” Jack Gruber- USA Today Staff Photographer -Washington
“She’s connected to the heartbeat of humanity” Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist John H. White - Chicago