Johnson Photographers Honored for Award-Successful Portraits 

Three photographers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center who encourage the world by visible storytelling earned high honors within the portrait class on the 2025 NASA Imagery Experts Program Annual Awards. 

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

David DeHoyos, Josh Valcarcel, and Bill Stafford had been acknowledged in the course of the award ceremony held April 20, 2026, in Las Vegas. 

From engineering checks to astronaut coaching to mission management operations, these photographers doc the individuals and work central to NASA’s human spaceflight mission. 

David Dehoyos

NASA Photographer

A Houston native, born in 1963, David DeHoyos’ life has been deeply formed by town’s twin legacy of arts and aerospace.  

DeHoyos graduated from Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in 1981 with a specialization in images. After spending a decade refining his technical craft in photograph labs, he joined Johnson’s images division in 1991. 

“This opportunity represented the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition,” mentioned DeHoyos. “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.” 

Josh Valcarcel

NASA Photographer

Josh Valcarcel has labored as an expert photographer and videographer for over 20 years and has been a scientific photographer at Johnson since 2017. He beforehand served as a workers photographer and photograph editor at WIRED journal and as a mass communication specialist within the U.S. Navy, capturing tales from flight deck operations to distant island nations throughout the Pacific. 

“As a NASA photographer, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing impossible dreams become reality every day,” mentioned Valcarcel. “That experience has shown me that with the right vision, culture, and trust, what once seemed impossible can become part of everyday life.” 

Bill Stafford

NASA Photographer

A Texas native and 1999 graduate of East Texas A&M University, Bill Stafford has served as a photographer and videographer for NASA since commencement, documenting over twenty years of the nation’s area exploration milestones.  

In addition to his work with NASA, Stafford teaches images on the Gilruth Center. He is keen about sharing his experience and serving to others develop their expertise behind the lens.  

“Photography is how I find meaning in the moments around me, and working at NASA has given me a front-row seat to some of the most remarkable stories of our time,” mentioned Stafford. “My job is to slow things down long enough to find the moment inside the moment: the small details that tell the bigger story.”