2025 GBA Photo Contest Winners

GBA is proud to announce the winners of our 2025 Photo Contest, which showcased the vibrancy, impact, and professionalism that define our field. This year, we received nearly 70 entries from GBA member firm employees, each capturing the dynamic work, meaningful outcomes, and high standards that drive our profession. From striking images of teamwork and technical excellence to creative compositions and compelling video clips, the contest entries reflected the energy and influence of geoprofessionals across North America.

The winning photos and videos not only demonstrate originality and technical merit, but also embody the values and spirit of GBA. We are excited to share these remarkable visuals with our community and celebrate the individuals and teams whose work inspires us all.

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and videos!

Overall Grand Prize Winner

Photographer: Barry Miller, P.E., P.G. | Strata
Location: Rainbow Bridge over the Payette River; Valley County, Idaho
Caption: We were collecting concrete cores and rebar samples in the existing bridge to evaluate the extent of chloride corrosion. The photo shows an individual being lowered in a basket to the core locations. It was a collaborative effort with the bridge design team, Idaho Transportation Department, and STRATA.

 

Overall Runner-up

Photographer: Chamath Senevirathna | D.W. Kozera
Location: New Jersey Wind Port; Salem County, New Jersey
Caption: Night-time pile integrity testing with the sunset.

 

Overall Second Runner-up

Photographer: Noah White | ALLWEST Testing & Engineering
Location: Highway 53; Post Falls, Idaho
Caption: This is a picture I took of Shane Warner. We were performing some late-night asphalt coring. These specimens are obtained to ensure proper thickness and density of the asphalt.

 

Category Winners

Vibrancy in Action

Photographer: Matthew Morris | GFT
Location: California
Caption: Rock slope reconnaissance via rope access for a rock slope stabilization project.

 

Impact in the Field

 

Photographer: Andrew Pilskalns, P.E. | Castle Rock Geotechnical Engineering
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Caption: “Where geotechnical engineering begins, inspire.”

 

Professionalism

Photographer: Adam Marolf, MS, P.E., BCGE | American Geotechnical & Environmental Services
Location: Fairfax County Parkway; Fairfax Station, Virginia
Caption: Careful design is required when excavating adjacent to existing foundations for both the safety of the traveling public and the workers that must enter the excavations for verification of foundation bearing strength. Dynamic cone penetration testing was performed to approve the bearing surface, and the contractor was present to get clear direction from the geotechnical engineer through coordination with both the quality control testing representatives and separate independent quality assurance. These steps provide the owner with measurable data to deliver safe, quality projects for the road users.

 

Creative Composition

Photographer: Derek Bowers | ECS
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Caption: There were multiple spots on the project site that had approximately10-15 feet of compacted old organic material such as cut trees and roots. This material was unsuitable for construction, so it needed to be removed from the site and replaced with more suitable material. I was standing (at a safe distance) on the other side of a pit that was dug to assess how deep this material was. I was impressed by the amount of material that had to be removed. This was my third day on the job, and it was an eye-opening and incredible learning experience.

 

Video

Videographer: Christopher Gardner | Earth Systems

All winners will be featured on the GBA website, on social media, and during upcoming GBA events, including the Fall Leadership Summit in November and the 2026 Annual Conference in April. Many submitters will also see their images showcased alongside announcements of new GBA resources and in other materials throughout the year.