Freelance Photographer

Coal Miner's Daughter by Justin Merriman

Sara Vance, 33, a third-generation coal miner, holds her 11-month-old daughter, Alexis, at her home on October 12, 2020, in Tridelphia, W.Va. Vance voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and will do so again on Election Day. “I look at my job as patriotic. What I do powers office buildings and homes, the grocery stores where people get their food, as well as schools and churches and companies that build things that build our country. We help keep the lights on and keep people warm as well,” she says

Food Distribution by Justin Merriman

Barbara Peden, 56, of Clairton, Pa., sits in her car as she waits for a weekly food distribution on October 29, 2020 at the Clairton Family Center in Clairton, Pa. Peden arrived hours before the distribution began to secure her place in line. 'In recent weeks it has become increasingly difficult to get something. Sometimes the parking lot is just full," she says. Often there is not enough food for everyone waiting.

Peden, who lives on disability and relies on the food to survive says, “I live in poverty. Without this food I would be hungry.” She is voting for Joe Biden in the upcoming election. "Trump has made our lives unbearable. He's destroying America. The residents of Pennsylvania won't forget that when they vote,” she says.

Tree of Life Shooting by Justin Merriman

More images at American Reportage.

Juju Smith-Shuster by Justin Merriman

Pittsburgh Steeler Juju Smith-Schuster livestreams Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 as he plays with video game streamer Tyler Johnson, 21, of Uniontown, Pa., on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. To read more visit the Washington Post.

Preserving the Navajo Language by Justin Merriman

Educators and students at the San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah worked with Duolingo, the language-learning app, to build their newest course in the Navajo language. Duolingo launched the course on Oct. 8, Indigenous Peoples Day, as part of an effort to preserve endangered indigenous languages. You can read more about this in Time, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ABC News, and the New York Post.

Turahn Jenkins Announcement by Justin Merriman

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Men listen to Turahn Jenkins announcing his candidacy for District Attorney at Freedom Corner in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. on July 2, 2018.

iPhone Photography by Justin Merriman

A few iPhone images from the last few months. 

We Will Not Be Banned! by Justin Merriman

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Yarizeo Morales, 4, right, and her sister, Yulissa, 7, join in the ‘We Will Not Be Banned!’ protest as it marched through Downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. on Sunday, July 1, 2018. The rally was in response to the Supreme Court decision announced this week to uphold the Muslim Ban, as well as protesting the separation of children on the border with Mexico and the recent police shooting of Antwon Rose II in East Pittsburgh, Pa.

Faith Rally by Justin Merriman

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People gather for the 'Faith Rally for Justice 4 Antwon’ on Sunday, July 1, 2018 in East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. The region has seen days of protests since the June 19 shooting death of Antwon Rose II by East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld who opened fire when the 17-year-old fled a traffic stop. Rosfeld is facing a criminal homicide charge.