On Assignment for the Archdiocese of Mobile

When I started blogging in 2013, I didn’t really have a plan. In fact, that’s pretty much how my business started as well. Something (I like to think it was the Holy Spirit), gave me a shove in the direction of photography and blogging. I followed…not really knowing where it would take me, or where I wanted to go. But I have always loved to write and so blogging made sense.

I often focus my blogging on weddings and engagements because I love telling proposal and wedding day stories. However, there is so much that I photograph that I don’t share. There are many stories untold and I need to do a better job of sharing some of those non-wedding and non-engagement stories when I have the opportunity. One year ago today, I had the honor of photographing the Installation Mass for the current Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mobile, Mark S. Rivituso. The day was JOYFUL from beginning to end. Looking back on it all, I knew I needed to share it on the blog so that I won’t forget all the details as time goes on. I put this on my to-do list for the entire last year, but never got around to finishing the story and hitting the “publish” button. Today, is finally the day.

A New Archbishop for Mobile

On July 1, 2025, I woke up to my phone buzzing at 6:30 a.m., which is not typical. I didn’t have my glasses on when I looked at the text, but I could clearly read the words, “We have a new Archbishop!” I then noticed another text had come in at 5:40 a.m. from Rob Herbst, Editor of The Catholic Week for the Archdiocese of Mobile, asking if I could photograph a press conference that very day. I could hardly type fast enough to answer. Thankfully, my schedule was clear of other shoots and my camera batteries were charged and ready to go. I practically jumped out of bed and started getting ready as fast as possible.

Rob asked me to arrive downtown at 10 a.m., but of course I went as soon as possible. I arrived at 9:15 a.m., just as our new Archbishop was speaking to all the staff and the Principals of the Archdiocese. Msgr. Skoneki met me outside and ushered me to the doorway of a large room that was packed with staff. After a few minutes, Archbishop-Elect Mark Rivituso finished his talk and began greeting everyone in a receiving line. How was I even lucky enough to be here at such an important moment for our Archdiocese?

Everything was moving so fast, but it suddenly occurred to me to ask if we needed a portrait of Archbishop-Elect Rivituso. I snapped a quick portrait in the foyer of the chancery, never thinking it would be the photo used to promote all the Installation Mass events.

Called to Love

I was just starting to dip my toe into event photography in 2014 when I volunteered to take photographs at the first Catholic Women’s Conference that was held in the Archdiocese of Mobile. That was my first time to photograph an Archbishop and probably my first time to meet Archbishop Emeritus Rodi. I learned from that experience that I loved photographing events. I also learned that I could showcase the beauty of things going on in our Catholic community in Mobile through my photography. The girl that was super nervous to take photos for a Catholic Women’s Conference NEVER imagined photographing the Installation Mass for our new Archbishiop 11 years later.

The Installation

A lot of events surround the installation of a new archbishop. I absolutely loved working with the team at The Catholic Week the day of the press conference. Who would photograph the Installation Mass? This was the question I was asked over the next two days. I decided to text Rob to tell him I’d love to help if he needed someone. I didn’t know how these things worked, but if there was a chance to be involved, I wanted to help document this historic moment. Not only did I end up getting to photograph the Installation Mass and Prayer Service…to my surprise I was asked to take Archbishop Rivituso’s official portrait!

The Prayer Service & Installation Mass

The night before the Installation Mass, I arrived at the Cathedral early to coordinate with my fellow photographers. My role was to capture things from the inside of the Cathedral. We were all inside waiting for “the knock” on the door from the new Archbishop. The excitement of the moment filled the Cathedral. All I could think to myself was “don’t miss the shot once he comes inside!”

The morning of the Installation Mass, I arrived at the Cathedral knowing this was going to be an experience like no other. I had prepared as much as I could. As I took my seat at the front of the Cathedral, I offered prayers of thanksgiving to God for the gift of this photography journey I’ve been on since 2005. Between the incense, the music, and all the moments unfolding in front of my eyes, I was on sensory overload!

Words cannot express how amazing it was to be part of the Installation in all these different ways. It was an honor to work alongside seasoned Catholic media photographers from the dioceses of Birmingham and St. Louis. Mary Dillard from the Diocese of Birmingham was so gracious in sharing her prior Installation Mass photography experience with me prior to the big day. Jacob Wiegand from the St. Louis Review worked along side both of us and my long-time second photographer, Regina. Additionally, my friend Michael O’Sullivan, owner of Motivation Media, Inc., documented all the events of the Installation. Between all of us we were able to capture all angles and all elements of this amazing celebration.

The Celebratory Parade

The parade that followed the Installation Mass will forever be one of my favorite memories. From the moment we exited the church, all I could hear were the bells ringing, music playing, and people cheering from the square. On the portico of the Cathedral, the priests, bishops, deacons, seminarians, and altar servers gathered around Archbishop Rivituso, applauding. It was such a joyful moment!

Archbishop Rivituso quickly made his way to the area set up for him to speak to the media. While he was giving interviews, I stepped outside the Cathedral gates and made my way to the sidewalk where students from all our Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile were waiting to greet Archbishop Rivituso. The energy from the crowd was absolutely electric. I saw smiles everywhere I looked. It was quite an experience to share in such a celebratory feeling with so many!

My Favorite Photos

A photographer always has their favorite photos, sometimes they are the ones selected for publication and sometimes they’re not. That’s how it goes in the editorial world. The Catholic Week published many of my favorite images from this day, but there are many more favorites that have not been shared until now. Narrowing down a few to share here was not easy. If you skipped all of the above just to look at the photographs, I don’t blame you. I realize it’s a book of a post, but I felt this experience was so unique and such a blessing that I couldn’t leave anything out.

Special thanks to Rob Herbst and Claudia Delmas from The Catholic Week for being so amazing to work with throughout this experience. Thank you to Regina for photographing this special day with me. It was incredible from beginning to end!