Clean and sober for nearly 27 years, L Cool reclaimed her life and reconnected with her daughters. Now, she recovers broken and blemished furniture. Her daughter, who was born in jail, recently became a Memphis Police officer.
Our Memphis Magazine story link below.
https://memphismagazine.com/features/salvation-in-orange-mound/
You can also see a short video here:
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
Visual Highlights from the 2023 Ameripolitan Music Awards
THE AMERIPOLITAN AWARDS ARE HOSTED BY DALE WATSON AND CELINE LEE
Each year, a mix of quirky and eccentric musical artists come together for a reunion and celebration with like-minded people in Memphis, Tennessee. Performers are honored and supported while having fun and sharing their music at the Ameripolitan Music Awards which are hosted by American Country singer and songwriter Dale Watson and his wife, singer Celine Lee. This year’s awards were held at the Guest House at Graceland Feb. 17-19th, 2023.
The event has been on hold for the past few years due to the pandemic but is once again in full swing.
You can find a list of the winners here.
Lucky for Memphians, the event is held right here in Bluff City and it offers hours of endless fun. Their four-day-long party rotates between Hernando’s Hide-A-Way and the beautiful Guest House at Graceland while celebrating Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Rockabilly, and Outlaw genres of music.
Spiffy dancers in their best attire, swing their way across the floor, inspired by some of the nation’s top artists. Vendors come from around the country selling boots, fringe jackets, belt buckles, and clothes, sometimes gently worn, authentic, top-notch vintage outfits. Sunday evening, after brunch and a few rounds of Chicken Sh*t Bingo at Hernando’s, the crowd moves back to the Guest House for the Awards.
All of this takes place just up the street from the home of Elvis Presley, Graceland.
Memphis has become a popular tourist destination, especially for those with a passion for music. With a rich musical history, Condé Nast Traveler named Memphis one of the 23 Best Places to Go in 2023 list and the 3 Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023 list.
Alex Greene from the Memphis Flyer did a story to preview the event. https://www.memphisflyer.com/full-schedule-for-ameripolitan-music-awards-released
Fans leave flowers and notes outside of Graceland in memory of Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley who Died Jan, 12, 2023 at the age of 54.
Lisa Marie lived at Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee in her early childhood. After Elvis Presley died, she inherited the house. She frequently returned to Graceland to remember her father and to greet fans on his birthday or during Elvis Death Week.
As a photojournalist in Memphis, I have had many opportunities to cover Lisa Marie and her mother Priscilla Presley, and those who loved and were connected to Elvis in his lifetime. I have put together a small photo gallery and video of the spontaneous memorial outside Graceland and some other links to stories about the passing of Lisa Marie.
Each year, during death week in August, fans travel to Memphis from around the world to remember Elvis. A candle is lit at his grave and the flame is transferred to a few fans, who process past the graves along with thousands of other fans who come to participate in the candlelight vigil. The event usually goes into the early hours of the next morning. (One of the photos in this photo gallery is Lisa Marie participating in the vigil, passing that flame to fans.)
Newspapers around the world have been interested in the story of the death of Lisa Marie Presley.
Lisa Marie will be buried at Graceland near her son Benjamin Keough, who died in 2020, and her father Elvis along with other family members in the meditation garden next to the home.
A few highlights from Elvis Week, usually attended by Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley, Below-
The video of the spontaneous memorial for Lisa Marie outside Graceland is below:
Lisa Marie was here this summer for a premiere of the new Elvis movie that came out.
https://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/tag/Lisa+Marie+Presely
It’s a busy time in Memphis! I will try and add to this blog post and photo gallery as I have time.
John Beifuss, my former colleague at the Commercial Appeal who is a longtime Memphis reporter wrote an excellent story about Lisa Marie. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/2023/01/13/lisa-marie-presley-dies-elvis-daughter-graceland/69804300007/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lisa-marie-presley-dies-wealth-net-worth-graceland/
https://youtu.be/1deDe9Ye_LM THIS IS A LINK TO THE LIVE STREAM OF THE CEREMONY
The Tigers defeated Tulane at FedExForum on Wednesday, 80-69.
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