Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
"What's up with René?"
Have you ever heard the story of the little girl that wanted a new computer?
Ever since the Apple rep came to her 5th grade class, she was intrigued. A real computer? For kids? Not one of those vTech computers? Not knowing exactly the laptop's capabilities she daydreamed: "I could type so fast! And play games! 'Office' would be so much more fun with a laptop." Everyday she'd go to Pioneer Peak Elementary School and Joseph and Christina would pull out their teal colored Apple laptops. Everyone ooed and awed at how fancy they were.
At the end of the day, on the bus ride home, she'd conjure up the most persuasive way to ask her dad for a computer and the advantages it'd give his 10-year-old daughter. Everyday she'd go home and ask. Everyday he'd say "no." "But ppppppplease???" she'd whine in her nasally little-kid voice. "No," her dad answered. She never understood why. Maybe they were too expensive? Maybe he'd be more willing if I asked for a vTech laptop from Wal-Mart? Despite the compromise, "no" was all she received. Weeks and weeks past, her anger and disappointment grew and she finally gave up hope. "I'm never going to be cool," she sighed. "Maybe one day when I'm in high school or college I'll have my own computer."
Hope was lost... until one day, when she least expected it, she walked home from the bus stop to find her dad at the front porch with a grin on his face and a hop in his step. "Go down stairs, your mother has something to show you." Perplexed, the little girl threw down her backpack and marched down the stairs. As she winded down the staircase she heard the music of her favorite artist, LeAnn Rimes. "Blue" was the song. It was playing so loudly. But how? "There's no CD player downstairs," she thought. As she rounded the corner the first thing she laid her eyes upon was the source of the her favorite music: a brand new, shiny and sleek, better than she ever could have imagined, Gateway 2000 desktop computer. Her father, following right behind her said, "You really think I was going to get you one of those junk vTech computers? Or one of those cheap Apple laptops? You can do so much more on this, Bink! This is the best machine out there, top of the line, and you... you deserve the best."
The best. That's what my father wanted to give me - the little girl who dreamed of playing "office" with an Apple laptop. I never should have doubted my father. He knew what was best for me.
And the best is what you deserve too. You. The person reading this. The person looking to fulfill a little guilty pleasure. The person interested in a little eye candy. You deserve the best photography, the best presentation of it, and the best darn blog money can buy! And that's exactly what you're going to get.
So in answer to all your questions...
"What's up with René?"
"Yeah, I have been checkin' the blog a lot, she hasn't posted anything?!"
"Is René in the hospital or something?"
"I've been keeping up with you on Facebook and have seen all the amazing places y'all have been going, where are the pictures?!"
I'm not in the hospital, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, it's not because I'm extremely busy; I haven't posted any big shoots or weddings in the last few months because I'm just waiting for the completion of a very pretty, very interactive, brand spankin' new, custom blog. I'm not wasting all these awesome photos and commentary on a Blogger blog (no offense blogger users! It's been good to me for the last 99 posts!) when a bigger, better, much shiner, Gateway 2000, if you will, blog is being created as we speak! Expected launch date? Friday!
Friends, thanks for your patience while I bring you the best.
Ever since the Apple rep came to her 5th grade class, she was intrigued. A real computer? For kids? Not one of those vTech computers? Not knowing exactly the laptop's capabilities she daydreamed: "I could type so fast! And play games! 'Office' would be so much more fun with a laptop." Everyday she'd go to Pioneer Peak Elementary School and Joseph and Christina would pull out their teal colored Apple laptops. Everyone ooed and awed at how fancy they were.
At the end of the day, on the bus ride home, she'd conjure up the most persuasive way to ask her dad for a computer and the advantages it'd give his 10-year-old daughter. Everyday she'd go home and ask. Everyday he'd say "no." "But ppppppplease???" she'd whine in her nasally little-kid voice. "No," her dad answered. She never understood why. Maybe they were too expensive? Maybe he'd be more willing if I asked for a vTech laptop from Wal-Mart? Despite the compromise, "no" was all she received. Weeks and weeks past, her anger and disappointment grew and she finally gave up hope. "I'm never going to be cool," she sighed. "Maybe one day when I'm in high school or college I'll have my own computer."
Hope was lost... until one day, when she least expected it, she walked home from the bus stop to find her dad at the front porch with a grin on his face and a hop in his step. "Go down stairs, your mother has something to show you." Perplexed, the little girl threw down her backpack and marched down the stairs. As she winded down the staircase she heard the music of her favorite artist, LeAnn Rimes. "Blue" was the song. It was playing so loudly. But how? "There's no CD player downstairs," she thought. As she rounded the corner the first thing she laid her eyes upon was the source of the her favorite music: a brand new, shiny and sleek, better than she ever could have imagined, Gateway 2000 desktop computer. Her father, following right behind her said, "You really think I was going to get you one of those junk vTech computers? Or one of those cheap Apple laptops? You can do so much more on this, Bink! This is the best machine out there, top of the line, and you... you deserve the best."
The best. That's what my father wanted to give me - the little girl who dreamed of playing "office" with an Apple laptop. I never should have doubted my father. He knew what was best for me.
And the best is what you deserve too. You. The person reading this. The person looking to fulfill a little guilty pleasure. The person interested in a little eye candy. You deserve the best photography, the best presentation of it, and the best darn blog money can buy! And that's exactly what you're going to get.
So in answer to all your questions...
"What's up with René?"
"Yeah, I have been checkin' the blog a lot, she hasn't posted anything?!"
"Is René in the hospital or something?"
"I've been keeping up with you on Facebook and have seen all the amazing places y'all have been going, where are the pictures?!"
I'm not in the hospital, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, it's not because I'm extremely busy; I haven't posted any big shoots or weddings in the last few months because I'm just waiting for the completion of a very pretty, very interactive, brand spankin' new, custom blog. I'm not wasting all these awesome photos and commentary on a Blogger blog (no offense blogger users! It's been good to me for the last 99 posts!) when a bigger, better, much shiner, Gateway 2000, if you will, blog is being created as we speak! Expected launch date? Friday!
Friends, thanks for your patience while I bring you the best.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tracy Lawrence, Continued
Hey all you faithful fans!
If you’d like to view more images from the concert and purchase unwatermarked prints of Tracy singing or you and Tracy together, please visit the following link:
You’ll need to create a username and password. But don’t worry, we won’t send you information to anyone. :) If you order prints within the next 29 days, you’ll receive double the print order for free, courtesy of René Tate Photography!
All profits will go to CHOA, the Childhood Hematology Oncology Associates.
If you’d like to view more images from the concert and purchase unwatermarked prints of Tracy singing or you and Tracy together, please visit the following link:
You’ll need to create a username and password. But don’t worry, we won’t send you information to anyone. :) If you order prints within the next 29 days, you’ll receive double the print order for free, courtesy of René Tate Photography!
All profits will go to CHOA, the Childhood Hematology Oncology Associates.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
A Newport Beach Shoot
Jesie and I arrived in Orange County yesterday morning in preparation for Mike and Ashley's Cherry Valley wedding. We're so pumped to be here. We feel like a part of Mike and Ashley's family! We know several of the guests from a previous wedding so it's really easy to blend right in.
We had some time to kill yesterday, so with Jesie never before visiting California (I know, right?) I thought I'd take her to one of my favorite places in America: Newport Beach! We had a fun mock photoshoot.. although beware, we were both working on three hours of sleep and had been traveling for most of the morning. Yuck! Then we grabbed some of the best sushi ever on Balboa Island. Jesie was so jazzed to be having California Rolls in California... :)
Time to get ready for the big day. Ciao!
We had some time to kill yesterday, so with Jesie never before visiting California (I know, right?) I thought I'd take her to one of my favorite places in America: Newport Beach! We had a fun mock photoshoot.. although beware, we were both working on three hours of sleep and had been traveling for most of the morning. Yuck! Then we grabbed some of the best sushi ever on Balboa Island. Jesie was so jazzed to be having California Rolls in California... :)
Time to get ready for the big day. Ciao!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tracy Lawrence Concert
I hate my job. It's awful. Going back stage at concerts, hanging out on the tour buses of celebrities... it's terrible. haha KIDDING! My job r o c k s! I'm so happy to support Colorado Springs' favorite radio station: Cat Country 95.1. As I'm watching Tracy Lawrence interact with these super duper cute kids on his tour bus, I thought to myself, "Wow, I am so blessed!"
Today, Cat Country 95.1 held a fundraiser for a local Colorado Springs cancer center for kids: Childhood Hematology Oncology Associates (CHOA).
Tracy did a special meet and greet on his tour bus with one lucky family whose son is in remission of leukemia. As the station's official photographer, I was there to catch all the fun. Just a couple of favorites are below.
If you were lucky enough to attend this show or even meet Tracy, check back TOMORROW for a link to view your images and order prints from the show. All proceeds go to CHOA. And also, don't forget to email me with your number for a complimentary digital copy of your meet and greet photo.
Some of the crazy Cat staff! They're the best. :)
Today, Cat Country 95.1 held a fundraiser for a local Colorado Springs cancer center for kids: Childhood Hematology Oncology Associates (CHOA).
Tracy did a special meet and greet on his tour bus with one lucky family whose son is in remission of leukemia. As the station's official photographer, I was there to catch all the fun. Just a couple of favorites are below.
If you were lucky enough to attend this show or even meet Tracy, check back TOMORROW for a link to view your images and order prints from the show. All proceeds go to CHOA. And also, don't forget to email me with your number for a complimentary digital copy of your meet and greet photo.
Some of the crazy Cat staff! They're the best. :) 
Monday, June 15, 2009
BIG Things Coming Up!
Hey Friends!
Just wanted to give you an quick update. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on renetate.com/renetateblog.com this week. Some exciting things up my sleeve for you!
Until then, watch this and s m i l e. This man is my hero.
Just wanted to give you an quick update. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on renetate.com/renetateblog.com this week. Some exciting things up my sleeve for you!
Until then, watch this and s m i l e. This man is my hero.
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Pink Limo
Doesn't your mind go straight to Pepto Bismal? Mine does. Love that stuff. Never leave home without it. ;)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Britni and Ryan - She said yes!
It all began on I-15, Interstate 15, that is. I was trucking along on a road trip from Vegas to Malibu, most likely singing my best rendition of Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time when I got the call — Britni's call. 24 Hour Fitness, personal trainer Britni. She heard about me from another bride, LeAnne, and asked if I'd be interested in shooting her and Ryan's Cheyenne Mountain Resort wedding.
Both Ryan and Britni are personal trainers and have some of the most beautiful bodies I've ever seen. Not a soft spot on 'em! Though, I couldn't ignore the irony of how and with what Ryan proposed: ice cream. Yup, after the holiday season, it was their last hooray on sweet food before they started to "eat right." And as you may have guessed, Ryan hid the engagement ring in Britni's ice cream. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan:
haha I'm kidding! I couldn't resist, Ryan. :) Actually, everything went perfectly! But if you are curious about that X-Ray, it's a real story! Click here. Britni and Ryan were a hoot to photograph. Kind of slow to warm up, but as soon as I said, "Britni, make Ryan laugh," and she started dancing (see photo 4) it was easy from there. He was CRACKING UP at his cute fiancée. :) Anywho, without further ado... Britni and Ryan:
Both Ryan and Britni are personal trainers and have some of the most beautiful bodies I've ever seen. Not a soft spot on 'em! Though, I couldn't ignore the irony of how and with what Ryan proposed: ice cream. Yup, after the holiday season, it was their last hooray on sweet food before they started to "eat right." And as you may have guessed, Ryan hid the engagement ring in Britni's ice cream. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan:
haha I'm kidding! I couldn't resist, Ryan. :) Actually, everything went perfectly! But if you are curious about that X-Ray, it's a real story! Click here. Britni and Ryan were a hoot to photograph. Kind of slow to warm up, but as soon as I said, "Britni, make Ryan laugh," and she started dancing (see photo 4) it was easy from there. He was CRACKING UP at his cute fiancée. :) Anywho, without further ado... Britni and Ryan:
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I get it.
Every bride is the prettiest bride I've ever seen. Every first dance is accompanied by the best song I've ever heard. At every reception I think, "It doesn't get any more fun than this!" And with every bride and groom I meet I think, "There is no one more perfect for one another than these two are for each other."I know I'm in the right business.
I know I'm in the right business because I never get sick of Canon in D, nor do I ever resist the Electric Slide. I know I'm in the right business because I truly feel like I'm doing something worthwhile. I'm making a difference in the lives of others. I know I'm in the right business when every weekend I'm fighting back tears of overwhelming happiness. Whether it's Ali and Chris at the alter bowing their foreheads together in prayer, James' sister singing an Irish prayer to him and Alicia, or Meghan and Jason wildly jumping up and down, dancing and singing "I Want You to Want Me," and laughing hysterically — I cry. Every time I cry.
I can't even begin to describe the undeniable joy that comes over me. And at the end of the night, after twelve grueling hours of crouching into unimaginable positions to get the perfect shot, I hug the parents of the bride and groom, who've adopted me as one of their own for the day, and say my thank yous; I load up my gear, drive home, and no matter how exhausted I am, I'm still unable to wipe the grin off my face and that's when I think, "I can't imagine doing anything else during this season of my life."I get it.
I completely get it. I live for these moments. I live to capture these emotions and show people the light they exude.
Thank you to all of my brides, grooms, and parents for blessing me — blessing me with your trust, honesty, and candidness. Thank you for giving me the best "job" on the planet.
— With love,
René
René
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Introducing: Meghan and Jason!
If I remember one thing about my first interaction with this couple, it is the way Jason looked at his bride. From our very first video iChat, I remember the way he looked over at her as she talked about their wedding and plastered on his face was the biggest grin I'd ever seen on a man. When Meghan first called to inquire about our services, I asked her to tell me a little bit more about themselves and with a giggle, she answered, "Well, we smile a lot," and she wasn't kidding! The joy they create together is contagious.
Greetings from Illinois! Jesie and I arrived this afternoon to the Chicago area for Meghan and Jason's stunning Jewish wedding. We've been in touch with these two for nearly a year and a half and their date is finally here! Never before have we met, with the exception of several video conferences. Today, was our first meeting, but it felt like our 50th! Approaching each other with joyful smiles and open arms we hugged like we'd hugged many times before.
We started off the day with a VERY well planned rehearsal and then headed off to downtown Normal, IL for a quick "get-to-know-you" shoot. With the wedding date less than 24 hours away we wanted to make sure to really get a handle on the personalities of these two incredible people. We only had 15 minutes to shoot before they jetted off to the rehearsal dinner, but it was quite possibly the EASIEST shoot we've ever had. Meghan and Jason are some of the most joyful people on this planet. They just LAUGH! And SMILE! Here's just a glimpse into the way they love each another...
Greetings from Illinois! Jesie and I arrived this afternoon to the Chicago area for Meghan and Jason's stunning Jewish wedding. We've been in touch with these two for nearly a year and a half and their date is finally here! Never before have we met, with the exception of several video conferences. Today, was our first meeting, but it felt like our 50th! Approaching each other with joyful smiles and open arms we hugged like we'd hugged many times before.
We started off the day with a VERY well planned rehearsal and then headed off to downtown Normal, IL for a quick "get-to-know-you" shoot. With the wedding date less than 24 hours away we wanted to make sure to really get a handle on the personalities of these two incredible people. We only had 15 minutes to shoot before they jetted off to the rehearsal dinner, but it was quite possibly the EASIEST shoot we've ever had. Meghan and Jason are some of the most joyful people on this planet. They just LAUGH! And SMILE! Here's just a glimpse into the way they love each another...
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