Joe Gigli, photographer of The Beacon for 25 years, has been nominated as a 2026 Catholic Media Association Photographer of the Year award finalist for his work the previous year. The nomination recognizes Gigli as a visual storyteller with the heart and skill to capture “the profound vulnerability, joy, and spiritual intimacy” of people’s rich and varied faith lives in the Paterson Diocese, N.J.
The 2026 Photographer of the Year nomination is the first such nod for Gigli, who started working at The Beacon in 2001. A valued contributor to the diocesan communications department, he also provides video content for diocesan social media and other digital platforms.
Gigli has been a consistent CMA-winning photographer, including many first-place awards. He is vying for Photographer of the Year with four other nominees.
The winner will be announced at CMA’s 2026 Catholic Media Conference in Atlantic City, from Wednesday, June 16, to Friday, June 19. The rest of the communications team is also contending for prestigious Catholic press awards in multiple categories this year.
When asked for his reaction to the nomination, Gigli, 60, exclaimed, “I’m speechless!”
“I feel blessed and honored to be recognized,” said Gigli, a married father of two. “Photography is my way of evangelizing. When I capture a child at First Holy Communion, I hope they’ll look back at the picture years later and remember it fondly. I want them to feel connected to the Church,” he said.
Gigli added, “There are so many wonderful people I’ve worked with in the diocese and the communications team.”
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This year, Jai Agnish, diocesan communications director, and Marc Stumbo, Beacon editorial production manager, selected 10 photos they felt best represented his talents.
“You know a Joe Gigli photo when you see one,” Agnish said. “He creates outstanding photographs at a consistent clip that rivals any of the greatest news and feature photographers of the day. Marc also did a fantastic job of narrowing thousands of photos down to 45 of the best for me to choose from. Believe me, it wasn’t easy choosing the best 10 photographs from there.”
These photos show Gigli capturing a diversity of emotions. For example, a joyful religious sister, hair flying, plays basketball at an outing for young religious. In another, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney comforts the family of Father Rafael Ciro, a diocesan priest, at his funeral. In one shot, a Carmelite nun is deep in prayer.
Agnish, also editor of BeaconNJ.org and co-host of the Beyond the Beacon podcast, recommended Gigli for Photographer of the Year. In his recommendation, Agnish said Gigli “demonstrated in 2025 that exemplary photojournalism is as much about the heart behind the lens as the technical skill within it.”
Agnish continued, “In a fast-paced media world, Joe takes a slow and intentional approach, building lasting relationships with people across our diocese. Because Joe is a known and trusted presence in our parishes, schools, and throughout the diocese, his subjects do not “pose” for him—they exist authentically with him. This allows Joe to capture moments of profound vulnerability, joy, and spiritual intimacy.”
The other four finalists for Photographer of the Year are: Juan Guajardo, photographer for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, Tex.; Daniel Ibáñez, photojournalist for EWTN Global Catholic Network; Bob Roller, photo editor for OSV News; and Scott Warden, editor in chief of Today’s Catholic for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind.
For almost 25 years, freelance photographer Gigli has crisscrossed the diocese to cover its events, ministries, and people. He has served under three Paterson bishops: the late Bishop Frank J. Rodimer, Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, and now Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
Gigli’s father, Rich Gigli, a retired photographer and photo editor, inspired him to pursue the profession. Rich has also shot photos for The Beacon.
“This has been an amazing trip,” Joe Gigli said of his time at The Beacon. “Photographing the diocese strengthened my faith. I’ve learned more than I did in CCD and made friends with bishops and priests who taught me so much. I’ve found myself through others,” he said.
Paterson’s parishes, schools, ministries, and individuals are invited to attend the CMA convention. Click here for event details or promotion.
Note: Artificial intelligence was used in the creation of the recommendation letter referenced and quoted in this article.
