Samantha Laurey (b.1996) works currently as a photojournalist covering breaking news, features, and anything South Dakota-related for the Argus Leader. She formerly worked as a freelance photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also volunteers as the current Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee with the National Press Photographer's Association.   Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Standard, Bay City News Wire Service, and many hyper-local newspapers in the Bay Area like Bay Area Reporter, East Bay Express, and Pleasanton Weekly. She received a bachelor's degree in photojournalism from San Francisco State University in 2021, where she also served as The National Press Photographers Association chapter president. Before transferring to San Francisco State University, she received her associate's degree in journalism from Diablo Valley College in 2019.   Her work has been awarded by the California News Publisher's Association, Hearst Journalism Awards, College Photographer of the Year, College Media Association, and Journalism Association of Community Colleges.