Warren Lewis "Fire Barber" Dies

Warren Lewis, the barber made famous by cutting people’s hair with flames, died earlier this month at age 90.

There are people who have made my time in Memphis really fun, Lewis was one of them.

Memphians are often blessed with unusual characters and entrepreneurs that have made our city famous.

Mr. Lewis has been seen on national TV showing off his talent on late-night TV and all over the world.

 He grew up with very little, in a shack in Mississippi. As a child, he was given the chore of burning the small feathers off chickens that the family was going to eat for dinner. That is what gave him the idea to cut hair with fire.

He had his own shop in North Memphis most of his life. It burned down once. He eventually worked out of another shop in his later years.

 “I ain’t set but one man on fire since I’ve been doing hair, one!” he told me giggling.

 He was cutting hair until three weeks before he died.

Mr. Lewis always liked the job security, saying “Hair will steady grow. I love my job with a passion,”  he said, “I’d do it all over again.”

Below is a gallery of some photos I have taken of him over the years. Including one when he came to one of my photo shows and signed autographs for people.

Rest in Peace my friend.

Below is a link to a story I did about him for the Commercial Appeal when I worked there.

https://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/2014/7/30/warren-lewis-and-his-flaming-fro


Below is an old video of did of Lewis cutting hair over a decade ago.

By Karen Pulfer Focht ©2023

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

ELVIS WEEK 2023

Every year pilgrims from around the globe descend on Memphis to honor and remember Elvis Presley on the anniversary of his death. These are some highlights from Elvis Week 2023, many of which show the next generation of Elvis fans. This was the first vigil since Lisa Marie, the daughter of Elvis, died. His granddaughter, Riley Keough, has since taken over the estate. No family members were present this year, including Pricilla Presley who is often on hand.

Visual Highlights from the Elvis Vigil


Thousands Visiting Sister Wilhelmina's Incorrupt Body

Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, founder of the Catholic order of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Read More

Giant Panda Ya Ya Returns to China

From the Memphis Zoo Press Release: On Wednesday, April 26th, giant panda Ya Ya began her journey back to China. Ya Ya is accompanied by Memphis Zoo's senior veterinarian and Chief Zoological Officer – together they possess over 25 years of giant panda experience. Our veterinarian will manage any medical concerns or needs, while our Chief Zoological Officer will manage all husbandry needs while en route. Memphis Zoo's panda loan agreement ended this spring and Ya Ya is returning to China to live out her golden years. After 20 years, Ya Ya has become like family, and she will be sorely missed by the Memphis Zoo staff and the local community. We wish her the best of luck in her new home. ~ The Memphis Zoo

I dug through my archive to rekindle some of the memories from when my colleague, Wayne Risher and I went along to China to document the zoo officials bringing back the Giant Pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le to the Memphis Zoo.

It was a big deal for Memphis!

Below is a photo gallery from China in 2003. See where they lived and how officials prepared the pandas to fly on a FedEx plane to Memphis.

Here is another photo gallery of daily life around Beijing and Shanghai.

Here is a gallery with more current photos of the pandas and also YaYa’s recent going away party at the Memphis Zoo and the panda exhibit.