Carmen Mandato is a staff sports photographer for Getty Images based in Aventura, Florida. Prior to joining Getty, she worked as a freelance photographer across several cities, including Cleveland, Chicago, St. Petersburg, Atlanta and Houston.
Coming from a strong blue-collar background, Carmen has always been drawn to the dignity of work, the complexity of people, and the stories found in the spaces between the defining moments. Her photography is rooted in curiosity and human connection, with a deep belief in storytelling as both a documentary and restorative medium.
Her career has taken her across the United States and around the world covering major professional and international sporting events, but she remains equally interested in the quieter moments that reveal something about the people behind the competition.
Through DPPF’s editorial storytelling and Substack, Carmen works to bridge the distance between philanthropy as an idea and the places where it is actually lived. She tells the stories behind the foundation’s work, focusing on the relationships, mentorship, opportunities and moments of connection that reveal what support can mean in the life and career of a photographer. Guided by the belief to “be the person you needed,” she cares deeply about helping others find support, opportunity and encouragement in an industry where those things can make all the difference.
