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Vice President Mike Pence stands with Republican Congressional candidate Troy Balderson during a rally at the Skylight Banquet Facility on Monday, July 30, 2018 in Newark, Ohio.
A supporter of Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson waits for returns in Ohio's special election for the 12th Congressional District at Balderson's election night party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2018 in Newark, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
Bruno Leone, 18, of Alliance, Ohio, a supporter of Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson, looks at early returns in Ohio's special election for the 12th Congressional District at Balderson's election night party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2018 in Newark, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
Caleb Hall, 15, of Newark, Ohio, a supporter of Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson, watches returns in Ohio's special election for the 12th Congressional District at Balderson's election night party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2018 in Newark, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
Supporters of Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson react as returns come in for Ohio's special election for the 12th Congressional District at Balderson's election night party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2018 in Newark, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson gives his victory speech at his election night party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2018 in Newark, Ohio. Balderson defeated Democrat Danny OConnor in a widely watched race that is considered a bellwether for November's elections. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson celebrates after giving his victory speech at his election night party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2018 in Newark, Ohio. Balderson defeated Democrat Danny OConnor in a widely watched race that is considered a bellwether for November's elections. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
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Justin Merriman is a freelance photojournalist, commercial photographer, licensed drone pilot, and filmmaker based in Pittsburgh. His career began in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he worked as a newspaper photographer dedicated to community storytelling and politics. Since then, his work has been recognized with regional, national, and international awards and has appeared in publications around the world.
After covering the crash of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, Merriman committed to documenting the U.S. military’s War on Terror, reporting from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and across the United States. His international assignments have also included life in Fidel Castro’s Cuba, India’s campaign to eradicate polio, the aftermath of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba in 2012, the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis in Rome, the second anniversary of Egypt’s revolution, Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, and the uncertain future of Guantanamo Bay in 2015. That same year, he traveled the full U.S.–Mexico border to document immigration issues.
In addition to photography, Merriman works as a director and filmmaker, creating recent films on refugees in Turkey, Jordan, India, and South Africa.
Closer to home, he frequently covers stories across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, focusing on the intersections of economic, environmental, and political life. Most recently, he reported on the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and its impact on the community.
Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Merriman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a B.A. in English Writing. In 2009, the university awarded him its prestigious Alumnus of Distinction award. He is a founding member of Argo Collective, a group of photographers sharing diverse visions of America. He lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife, Stephanie Strasburg, a photojournalist with PublicSource.