Austen Hunter Named 2024 Navy Civilian Photographer of the Year
- Austen Hunter
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
I’m proud to share that I’ve been named the 2024 Navy Civilian Photographer of the Year—an honor awarded through the DVIDS Visual Information Awards Program, which recognizes the top visual communicators across all military branches.
This award reflects my work as a Navy Public Affairs Specialist, where I was selected as the top civilian photographer in the service based on imagery submitted from operations in Pensacola and San Diego last year. Much of that work supported Naval Education and Training Command’s “Street to Fleet” campaign, which highlights how the Navy shapes civilians into capable, disciplined warfighters. The portraits I captured focused on the people at the heart of that transformation—recruits, instructors, and leaders in moments of pride and progress. Several of those images were published on Defense.gov and across national military channels, a sign that the work resonated beyond our command and contributed meaningfully to the Navy’s visual storytelling.
Though this recognition comes from my role within the Navy, it reinforces what I believe in every day at Austen Hunter Photography: that a great portrait does more than look sharp—it honors the story behind the uniform. It’s about capturing leadership, legacy, and the quiet confidence of those who serve.
Here are some of my favorite images I captured in service to the Navy in 2024:
Thank you to the commands and service members who trusted me to do that well. And to my civilian and veteran clients—this is the same standard I bring to every session with you.
If you're approaching a milestone or want to preserve your own story of service, I offer military portrait sessions with the same attention to detail and respect that earned this award. Book a session today.
Disclaimer: The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
