Photo Contest

The Naval Submarine League sponsors an annual Undersea Photo Contest. The top four winners receive cash awards ($500, $250, $200, $50) and, with permission, the photos are published on the NSL website.


See Previous Photo Contest Winners

USS TEXAS (SSN 775) inport, Groton, CT.
2025 1st Place: EMNC(SS) Adam Glover
A steel beach while serving aboard the USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735) (BLUE) in late 2016.
2025 2nd Place: ITS1(SS/IW) Ryan DeNardo
2025 3rd Place: LCDR Thomas Sousa USN (Ret)
2025 3rd Place: LCDR Thomas Sousa USN (Ret)
The USS INDIANA (SSN 789) at Ice Camp Whale, Beaufort Sea. The sail is seen breaking through the ice, with an American flag flying on the left.
2024 1st Place: LCDR Dan DeToma, USN
A burial at sea, taken aboard USS GUDGEON (SS 567) out of San Diego. Four uniformed men are seen saluting on the bridge of a submarine. One holds a rifle with a folded American flag.
2024 2nd Place: LCDR Thomas Sousa, USN (Ret)
Photo of a surface submarine, on the water at sunset. Taken in the bridge of the USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN 757).
2024 3rd Place: EMNC(SS) Adam Glover, USN
USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785) conducting a BSP during a EUCOM Deployment.
2024 Honorable Mention: LT Sarah Reilly, USN
This photo was taken one night in January before a USS San Juan deployment out of Groton.
2023 1st Place: MMA2(SS) Jay Matzek, USN
The USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) conducting trials in Alaska in 2023. The boat just got out of the shipyard last year and has been a very active boat in the pacific fleet. Hooyah Mississippi!
2023 2nd Place: STS2(SS) Spencer Ocampo, USN
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) transiting the Mediterranean Sea during a special operations forces exercise.
2023 3rd Place: MC1 (EXW/PJ) R. Ryne Rhodes, USN
The USS Providence returning from Deployment with the families awaiting. The USS Providence returning from Deployment with the families awaiting.
2023 Honorable Mention: Mr. Philip Medbery
2022 1st Place: LT Andrea Howard, USN
2022 2nd Place: CAPT Dixon Hicks, USN (Ret)
2021 1st Place: LCDR Firas Khoury
2021 2nd Place: LCDR Robert Johnson, USN
2021 3rd Place: STS1 Rafael Guzman
2021 Honorable Mention: ITS2 Bryan Carlson
2021 Honorable Mention: ETVC Evan Quidachay-Swan
2019 1st Place: Philip Medbery
2019 2nd Place: Victoria Guillerault
2016 1st Place: SCPO (SS) Greg Foerster, USN
2016 2nd Place: Mr. Mark Turney
2016 3rd Place: P02 (SS) Rigo Baca, USN
2015 1st Place: ETC(SS) Michael A. Dlabaj, USN
2015 2nd Place: John Narewski
2015 3rd Place: John Whalen
2015 Honorary Mention: CAPT Mike Bernacchi, USN
2006 1st Place: Wendy Hallmark
2006 2nd Place: Wendy Hallmark
2006 3rd Place: Edward Willis
2006 Honorary Mention: Cheryl Hunt
2005 1st Place: PH1 David Levy
2005 2nd Place: Michelle Crum
2005 3rd Place: PHC Kurt Lengfield
2005 Honorary Mention: PH3 Danielle Sosa
2004 1st Place: STSMC (SS/DV) Jeff Rowe
2004 3rd Place: Marion J. Snipes
2004 Honorary Mention: Marion J. Snipes
2003 1st Place: Ethan Macnow
2003 2nd Place: Ethan Macnow
2003 3rd Place: Bill Kenny
2003 Honorary Mention: TM2 (SS) Frank K. Carnegie, USN
2002 1st Place: JOC Tom Jones
2002 2nd Place: EM1(SS) Richard Perkins
2003 3rd Place: Atalie F. Baker
2002 Honorary Mention: PH1(AW/SW) Cindy A. Harris
2001 1st Place: LTJG Roger Koopman
2001 2nd Place: CMDMC(SS/SW) William R. Stoller
2001 3rd Place: Atalie F. Baker
2001 Honorary Mention: PH3 Jennifer Y. Bell

Submit to the Undersea Photo Contest!

Deadline: 1 October 2025

The Naval Submarine League selects four submarine-related photos each year with cash awards ($500, $250, $200, and $50). Winning entries may be displayed on NSL programs or The Submarine Review, and awardees are honored at the Annual Symposium and Industry Update.

Cash Awards for the Undersea Photo Contest:

1st Place $500
2nd Place $250
3rd Place $200
Honorarable Mention $50

Judging Criteria

  • Photos should relate to some aspect of the undersea warfare community
  • Limit five submissions per photographer
  • Digital submissions must be at least 300 dpi.
  • Photos must be previously unpublished.
  • Photos must be taken by the person submitting the photo.
  • Enhancements are discouraged, and the use of AI is prohibited.

Submissions should include the photographer's name and rank/rating (if available). Send image file to support@navalsubleague.org.