Sarahbeth Maney
I am a photojournalist documenting the impact of social issues on individuals and communities, supported by the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation.
Have a Tip for a Story?
I’m interested in hearing from residents impacted by the Eaton wildfire in Altadena, California, and individuals involved in local reparations programs and DEI initiatives throughout the U.S.
What I Cover
I cover a range of stories that reflect the impact of social issues on individuals and communities.
My Background
As an investigative photojournalist, I document in-depth stories through photography that help contextualize visual evidence and humanize complex historical and policy-driven narratives. Based in Southern California, I explore photo-driven projects locally and throughout the United States.
Before joining ProPublica, I was a staff photojournalist at the Detroit Free Press. I concentrated on topics like housing insecurity, disability and social justice issues affecting Black and brown communities. I also worked as a photography fellow for The New York Times’ Washington, D.C., bureau, where I captured a poignant moment from the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson that garnered worldwide attention.
My work has received several notable awards, including the General News Award of Excellence from Pictures of the Year International and Time’s Top 10 Photos of the Year. The Library of Congress acquired a series of my photos in 2020. In 2022, I became the first-ever photojournalist honored by the National Association of Black Journalists as Emerging Journalist of the Year.
Even When a Cop Is Killed With an Illegally Purchased Weapon, the Gun Store’s Name Is Kept Secret
A 2003 law pushed by the gun industry limits the information shared by federal agents and shields gun shops from public scrutiny, but ProPublica was able to identify the store that sold the gun used in the shooting of a Chicago police officer.
Inside the Historic Suit That the Gun Industry and Republicans Are on the Verge of Killing
For 25 years, gunmakers have repeatedly tried to end one city’s lawsuit over illegal gun sales. Meanwhile, illicit purchases of firearms continued at an unrelenting and hazardous pace.
Utah Bills Itself as “Family-Friendly” Even as Lawmakers Have Long Neglected Child Care
Federal relief had improved access to child care. But when funding expired, the state rejected proposals to replace it. Some advocates say the historical influence of the LDS church has added to the resistance.
Why is Michigan Failing to Compensate the Wrongly Convicted?
The state can provide $50,000 for each year of incarceration, but the law’s narrow criteria and confusion over eligibility leave former prisoners facing another system that seems stacked against them.