NASA Johnson Photographers Win Top Portrait Awards for Stunning Astronaut Imagery

Breaking: NASA Photographers Win Top Portrait Honors

Three photographers at NASA's Johnson Space Center have been awarded top prizes in the portrait category at the 2025 NASA Imagery Experts Program Annual Awards, celebrated for capturing the human side of space exploration.

David DeHoyos, Josh Valcarcel, and Bill Stafford were recognized during the ceremony on April 20, 2026, in Las Vegas. Their work documents astronauts, engineers, and mission control personnel central to NASA's human spaceflight mission.

First Place: David DeHoyos

David DeHoyos took first place for his portrait of European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot. The image shows Adenot in a quiet, reflective moment during her official NASA portrait session at Johnson Space Center.

“Sophie is so kind and friendly with a beautiful presence. Being around her made everyone feel good, which allowed my creativity to flow,” DeHoyos said.

A Houston native born in 1963, DeHoyos graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in 1981. After a decade in photo labs, he joined Johnson's photography department in 1991.

“This opportunity represented the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition,” DeHoyos said. “Growing up during the fervor of the Apollo era, I always dreamed of contributing to NASA’s mission. I am so honored and blessed to be amongst a team of wonderful people and, more importantly, friends.”

Second Place: Josh Valcarcel

Josh Valcarcel earned second place for his portrait of NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, who is pictured with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit spacesuit.

“Jessica’s quiet presence reflects years of preparation, passion, and responsibility. She understands, more clearly than most of us ever will, the fragility of the body, the precision of systems, and the narrow margins within which exploration unfolds,” Valcarcel said.

Valcarcel has worked as a professional photographer and videographer for over 20 years. He joined Johnson as a scientific photographer in 2017 after stints at WIRED magazine and as a mass communication specialist in the U.S. Navy.

Third Place: Bill Stafford

Bill Stafford also received recognition for his contributions to visual storytelling at NASA, rounding out the trio of honored photographers.

Background

The NASA Imagery Experts Program recognizes photographers who produce outstanding imagery that communicates the agency's mission. The annual awards cover multiple categories, with portrait photography highlighting the people behind space exploration.

Johnson Space Center’s photography team has a long history of documenting human spaceflight, from Apollo to Artemis. Their images appear in news outlets, educational materials, and NASA's public archives.

What This Means

These awards underscore the importance of visual storytelling in space exploration. As NASA prepares for Artemis missions to the Moon and future human expeditions to Mars, compelling imagery helps inspire the public and future generations.

“Congratulations to all three on this impressive achievement and for capturing such breathtaking imagery,” said Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche. “Their work represents the collaboration, precision, and creativity that drive human space exploration forward.”