The mission of the U.S. Naval Institute is to provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak and write in order to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of Sea Services and other issues critical to global security.

Copyright 2025 U.S. Naval Institute

Open to:  All amateur and professional photographers 

Subject:  Any naval or maritime imagery that has not previously been published

Published:  The winning and runner-up photos are featured in Proceedings, and on www.usni.org


2025 U.S. Naval Institute

Naval and Maritime Photo Contest

  • Format:  High-resolution digital photo, a minimum of 300 dpi preferred, tiff or jpg. 
  • Requirements:  Photo(s) have not previously been published except for Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
  • No manipulations except for color enhancement or cropping.

Deadline for Photo Entries:  30 September 2025

Click below to submit your information.

Check your email for instructions where to send your photos.

Photographer grants all rights in perpetuity to the U.S. Naval Institute to reproduce, display, publish, distribute, create derivative works of submissions while crediting the photographer. All external uses for photos outside public domain will require permissions from the photographer.

Submission Guidelines and Details:    Maximum of five (5) photos per person.