What Does It Take To Be A Photojournalist?

I was recently asked about what it takes to become a photojournalist by Side Hustles.

While I don’t think of photojournalism as a “side hustle,” it certainly could be one, especially with the shrinking newspaper industry. Many pictures that were taken by one-time staff photographers are now taken by freelancers.

People often think of freelancers as someone waiting for a full-time job. But that is often not the case. Many freelancers thrive and the good ones, who know how to hustle, make more than people with staff positions.

But there are some secrets to success and much-needed skills.

Here is the link to the interview that www.sidehustles.com recently did with me about what it takes to be a photojournalist. https://sidehustles.com/how-to-become-a-photojournalist/ 

This is me as a young photojournalist and mother.

To see my full portfolio and bio go to www.karenpulferfocht.com

'Was it worth it?' A fallen Marine and a wars' crushing end

As the American military pulled out of Afghanistan last week reporter Claire Galofaro, Videographer Allen Breed and I set out to tell this family’s incredible story for the Associated Press. Please follow the link below for the story in its entirety.

SUMMARY: Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood's 19-year-old son Alec was killed in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban in 2010. She and her husband are creating a healing retreat space, Darkhorse Lodge, for veterans. She could no longer care for her son, she said, but she to our reporter that she could care for those who made it home. She and her husband moved to the woods in Tennessee and got to work on the Darkhorse Lodge.

https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-4e345f63b70ccd5cecacfd42d7916848

Photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht Wins First-Place National Award

  Karen Wins First Place in Catholic Press Awards 2021

Memphis Photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht has won a first-place national award for the heartfelt story she both wrote and photographed on the closing of the Poor Clare Monastery in Frayser. Faith Magazine, published by the Catholic Diocese of West Tennessee, dedicated an entire issue to tell the compelling story in a special edition after the Vatican ordered the closing of some shrinking monasteries worldwide. Focht has covered the Poor Clare sisters throughout her career in Memphis.

Judges Comments: The article and photographs complement each other completely and provide a depth of coverage neither alone could produce. An excellent compilation that draws the reader along on the journey.

Best Story and Photo Package

First Place

Faith Magazine, Karen Pulfer Focht, Saying Goodbye To A House of Prayer

She also won:

Best Photo Story - Feature

Second Place

Faith Magazine, Karen Pulfer Focht, Saying Goodbye To A House of Prayer

Judges comments: The article's photographs paint a picture of the impactful history of the monastery and display the bittersweet emotions of love and loss.

https://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/poor-clares-leave-memphis

Raising Funds For Boyd Station

I was honored to be one of the photojournalists asked to participate in a New York art gallery show where we raised money to help the next generation of photojournalists.

The Ki Smith Gallery held an auction this spring as a way to raise funds for Boyd Station in Kentucky. The exhibition "Witness: Beauty in Truth" amassed 70 images from some of today's more prominent photojournalists, many of the images rarely are for sale.

Boyd Station is a place for creatives, writers and visual story tellers to come away from it all, get away from distractions and focus on their craft without the distraction of the every day world. Boyd Station is especially set up to provide inspiration and assistance to aspiring local photojournalists.

This is becoming especially important in this day and time where many of todays struggling newspapers seem to be losing the art of long form visual story telling or are, sadly enough, often happy enough with iphoneography.

Great photojournalism is at risk. Great photojournalism is important. Great photojournalism changes hearts, minds and communities.

Boyd Station is positioned to teach the next generation about great photojournalism. This was the idea of longtime photojournalist Jack Gruber, who set up the nonprofit which aims to "cultivate the arts in the bluegrass of Kentucky" while documenting the community at the same time.

One of my most popular images, a signed copy of the late blues musician Mose Vinson’s hands on a piano, was auctioned off in the fundraiser. I shot it on film and it was shot for his album cover. We shot the photo on Beale Street in Memphis, where he used to play. The auction was hosted by the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City in March. The event showcased 40 of today’s most acclaimed and awarded photojournalist's.

Thank you Ki Smith Gallery for a successful auction and fundraiser.

Ki Smith Gallery
712 W 125th Street
New York, NY 10027

We were lucky to get a mention in Newsweek. Alexander Cavaluzzo did a write up about the exhibit. https://www.newsweek.com/big-apple-plants-bluegrass-roots-grow-future-art-1356914

A successful online auction of our photos was held a few months later through Paddle8, where proceeds once again befitted Boyd Station. Paddle8 is an online auction house based in New York City that sells fine art.

https://www.boydsstation.org/ to learn more about Boyd Station.