1. A computer-implemented method for identifying optimal virtual machine (VM) images in a networked computing environment, comprising: receiving a set of system requirements from a requester of a VM image; accessing a profile associated with the requester, the profile comprising a set of preferences of the requester; determining a performance state of the networked computing environment; and identifying a set of VM images having a set of software programs capable of accommodating the set of system requirements, the set of preferences, and the performance state of the networked computing environment.