Archive for April, 2010

Briarhurst Manor Wedding: Cherie & Jason Pt II

19.04.10 weddings

Part II of Cherie and Jason’s wedding picks up at the ceremony.  The relationship between Cherie and her father is beyond words.  I loved watching them throughout the day.  All they had to do was take one look at each other and they were both in tears.

Instead of doing vows to each other, Cherie and Jason made their vows to their in-laws.

Jason vowing to love, honor, and cherish Cherie.

Jason’s parents getting choked up as Cherie made her vows to them.

One of my favorite moments from the day!  After saying a final prayer, the pastor, without words, gave the sound guys the “hit it” signal.

Love this one!

*sigh* Cherie…you are too pretty!

5 Comments

  1. Erica Garcia said

    I love the pictures!! I really like the over exposed shots!! They picked up just the perect images

  2. Kathy Trujillo said

    Awesome photos especially the colored ones

  3. Pat Garcia said

    I expecially like the photo of all the fellows walking under the bridge; which I believe have a set of train tracks under the bridge.

  4. Kami said

    I love the expression and emotion that you and Jes are so great at capturing!

  5. AshleyE said

    My favorite in this round is the one where the couple is facing different directions, and her veil is billowing out behind her. So classic.



Briarhurst Manor Wedding: Cherie & Jason Pt I

19.04.10 weddings

Cherie and Jason were married on a gorgeous day in January.  A day where the sun shone its bright face all day long and it was okay to go sleeveless.  Yes, I’m a little behind on wedding blogs, but not for long.  Jesie, Michael, and I are working hard to blog weddings within the week they occur.  Trips to Europe and Vegas kinda sorta put me behind on this one.  But enough about me… Cherie and Jason, you two are some of my most favorite people, you know?  Your wedding was absolutely stunning and moved me to tears on several occasions.  Thank you for inviting me to share your day. It was the perfect start to 2010.


Cherie wore her grandmother’s ring that day. I love the combination of gold, silver, and diamonds. It’s the best of all worlds.

While I hung out with the girls, Jesie took off to visit to boys.

Jason, the handsome groom:

The first of many adorable moments of the flower girl.

The stunning bride, Cherie, reading a note from Jason:

Cherie’s mom was playing it so cool all day. I loved a relaxed mother of the bride. :)

Hats off to Jesie for these two:

And these two also.  I love the perfume shot!

All from the United States Army:

Yup.. I lost it.  Just as soon as Cherie lost it upon seeing her father for the first time.  I just love that little somethin’ about fathers and daughters.

Part II coming up in just a bit!  Big week for the blog, so check back everyday!

6 Comments

  1. Kim said

    What wonderful pictures! I like the one of the guys standing at parade rest in their tuxes…and the girls standing around Cherie sitting down. The contrast between their brown and blue dresses against her white dresses is amazing.

  2. Shannon Coker said

    Man, your and Jesie’s creativity is ENDLESS!!! Great colors in this wedding too! Brilliant!

  3. AshleyE said

    Wow! These are really stunning, Rene!

  4. Sarah Norwood said

    Gorgeous, much?!? Gah… can’t wait for round 2! that perfume shot is so creative!

  5. Melissa said

    As I sit here looking at these beautiful pictures, I cried too at the last one. Simply stunning. I can’t wait to see the rest. Beautiful job girls!

  6. Kami said

    Awesome! You don’t know how excited I am to get my OWN René Tate wedding photos! TWELVE DAYS! The ones of the bride and her daddy made me tear up, too… so sweet!



Lens & Learn: Inspiring Kids with Photography

13.04.10 personal, the latest & greatest

If you’ve been following me on Twitter or Facebook, you’ll notice that I’ve been traveling a lot.  Like so much that, as my friend Monty says, all the airplanes and changes in pressure have “broken the mold on me” if ya know what I mean.  And with that said, it’s easy to see that life has been such a whirlwind the last couple of months… It seems that it all spins faster and faster until everything becomes a blur.

But sometimes, there are moments in life that bring you back.  Those “be still” moments…  They bring you back to who you are and remind you of your purpose and what you love.  It’s in those moments, moments like sitting on bench in silence, standing in awe of the Scottish seashore, being wrapped up in his arms, being kissed softly and sweetly on the forehead, that I’m brought back to that calming center at my core.  That center where I can be me.  Where in that moment, I’m not influenced by any external forces.  It’s refreshing.  It’s energizing.  And it’s hopeful.

About three days before I jetted off to Scotland, I had one of those moments. It was in Las Vegas, where I joined 14,000 other photographers at the world’s largest wedding and portrait photography trade show, WPPI. Sounds like a lot of external forces, if you ask me, but wait.  There’s more! ;-) I actually didn’t stay for the entire week of festivities, as my Scotland trip interfered.  But the part that I did attend, was likely one of the most worthwhile and meaningful events.

It was called Lens and Learn: Inspiring Kids Through Photography, a very special day of light lecture and lots of play with a few of the world’s most well known photographers and the children of the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club.  The event was initiated by Jim Collins, CEO of Pictage – my right hand company who handles more of my business than seems fair, and was co-sponsored by Canon USA.  It was a honor to be included in this group and I owe it all to Jim who is one of the best and neatest leaders I’ve encountered.  His heart behind the event was something that hit hard with me.  For an entire day, I got to hang out with a bunch kiddos and play with cameras and do a photo scavenger hunt.  But playing with the kids wasn’t quite the moment I referred to earlier. The moment, that brought me back, was the second I sat down next to Tyler. And Kaydine.  And China.  And Maile.  And Lauren.  And Lexie. And Hector. And Dylan.  And I just got to love on those kids.  To smile at them, hug them, and tell them how important they are.  And what a bright future they have ahead of them.

To see them open up and begin to imagine the possibilities was what it was all about.

It was such an amazing blessing to be there.  I’m so grateful to be a part of the loving community that is Pictage.  Enjoy this video from the awesome Ron Dawson who was there to capture the day and some neat interviews from the photographers’ view points.

A few shots from the day.  To be honest, I didn’t shoot a ton.  The ones without my logo were taken by Tyler. :-)

5 Comments

  1. yoyccvui said

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  2. Nicole Carr said

    I love these Rene!! I was so excited to see them….really inspiring to work with kids :-) I’m glad you got to enjoy the experience!!

  3. Kami said

    Very cool… I love what you do :)

  4. Monty Jessop said

    It’ sure is amazing Rene’, to be reading and viewing your post and how it can bring us back too those incredible heart warming emotions we felt that day. It always seems that when we give a part of ourselves to our fellow human beings. Inspiration is had for all involved. XOXOXO

  5. Melissa said

    Wow Rene! Sounds like a great experience!!! :) I love it! Thanks for sharing with all of us! The pictures are awesome too! :)



The DeClaire Family

06.04.10 portraits

It’s in the simple things in life.

The unique smell of a spring morning.  The warmth of the sun on your face.  The wink of an eye.  It’s in your head upon his chest.  The touch of her skin.  The searching of each others eyes.  It’s in the silent conversations over a cup of tea at the breakfast table.

People always say that less is more.

And for once, I think people are right.

It’s the simple things in life that bring you the greatest joy.  The simple sayings.  The simple recipes.  The simple directions, even.  But above all, the simple, comfortable, vulnerable  love between a family.

Yesterday, I had such a joyful lifestyle shoot with the DeClaire family.  And, don’t get me wrong, in no way is their love on-the-surface-simple.  There love is simple, yet it’s deep.  It’s deep, yet it’s easy to understand.  It is so evident that they don’t let a moment go unappreciated, even the simple ones…

Kim, James, Raleigh… we’re lifers.  Thank you for loving photography the way you do.

With joy,
René

Meet Kim and James.

And their peaceful, precious, baby-girl Raliegh.

She’s nine months old.

And loves jewelry. :-)

It was important to Kim, to not only capture the love shared between their family, but also the love she and James share.

One of my favorites from the day.  Who says you need contrast?  I love how soft James is with Kim… and I think this photo reflects that perfectly.

Kim, you really are so so pretty.  I loved photographing you.  Pretty sure you can’t take a bad picture.

Some fun with silhouettes. :)

Okay, these next ten are my absolute favorites from the session, but primarily the next two.

#1 Fave:

We all agreed that, despite Raleigh’s opinion, this was a cute photo and a pretty good note to end on. :)

113 Comments

  1. Jen said

    WOW! All of the pictures are wonderful! You all look like super models! What a special keepsake! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Christine Fiedler said

    Beautiful photos Declaire family! Raleigh is such a doll!

  3. Heather said

    Super Sweet! Love them all. What a beautiful family.

  4. Mikey said

    Awesome pictures!

  5. Sunny said

    I love the black and white prints you guys look so in love and what a great baby girl

  6. Judy said

    Looks like you had a great time taking these pictures. They are beautiful!

  7. Mike said

    These pictures are so cute. I think the one at the end’s the best.

  8. Barbi Tynan said

    Jack,

    I want one of each! They are a treasure!

    Love,

    Babs

  9. Jack Tynan said

    Truly, truly stunning! Easy subject matter but remarkable photography on top of it!

  10. Patrick Tynan said

    The ONLY adjective that comes to mind is STELLAR! Kimberley, we always say you are gorgeous … now do you believe?

  11. Amber said

    Great pictures guys!! Donna is such a lucky grandma…the baby is so beautiful!

  12. Tasha said

    Absolutely BEAUTIFUL…

  13. Courtney Clark said

    Great Pictures.

  14. Linda said

    WOW! Great photos, how proud you all must be!

  15. Kate said

    What a beautiful family! Wonderful pictures!!

  16. Michelle said

    What a gorgeous family and the photography captures what a true joy the baby has brought into your family!

  17. Michaela said

    You have such a beautiful family! I am truly honored that I had the pleasure of welcoming Raleigh into the world! She is gorgeous!!

  18. James said

    WOW Kim and James, what amazing pictures! Think I know how I’m going to use….
    simply beautiful!

  19. Carrie M. said

    Great pictures of the family Kim!!

  20. Tammi said

    Great pictures, love the candids. It also helps to have such a cute little girl!

  21. Deana said

    What a beautiful family. Loved the photos. Thanks for sharing!

  22. Steffi said

    Beautiful pictures to compliment an equally beautiful family!

  23. Kate said

    What wonderful pictures!! I do especially enjoy the last few!!

  24. Norma Stone said

    These are great family shots. Take it from someone with nearly-grown sons – you will cherish these forever.

  25. Joanie said

    These are beautiful!! Something you will treasure forever.

  26. Summer said

    Amazing pictures!

  27. Jan Huffman said

    Beautiful photos of a beautiful family!

  28. Emily B said

    Kim/James, your happiness and smiles literally leap from the photos and surely, you will treasure these for a lifetime. Thanks for sharing.

  29. Daniele said

    I love the shadow puppets!!!

  30. Oscar said

    most beautiful

  31. Mickey said

    beautiful

  32. Kelly said

    So adorable!!! Great photography too!

  33. christa said

    fantastic photos

  34. Paula said

    Love the picture with the photographer above and the family looking upward

  35. Bridget said

    These picutes are so Beautiful!!!

  36. Michelle Herring said

    These pictures are awesome! They totally capture the essense of you guys. Raliegh is just the most beautiful baby! She has the sweetest face!

  37. Annie said

    Raleigh is so cute!

  38. Annie said

    Love the ones of little Raleigh! Nice work Rene!

  39. Matt said

    Excellent shots. I like the use of depth of field.

  40. Adam K said

    Amazing shots, beautiful color work. Very impressed! Thanks for sharing these.

  41. Allison said

    Rene, your work is amazing!!! Kim and James are very funny and laid back people and you captured that effortlessly! Raleigh is adorable! I love the last picture so much! Poor baby girl!

  42. Lesley La Sota said

    Wow! Beautiful pictures. You captured the fun and love of this wonderful family. The way you caught the natural love with the two of them is incredible and the great shots of the baby. I am so impressed with your work as I look at the amazing pictures of the baby.

  43. Rachael said

    ADORABLE. What great pics!

  44. Tonya said

    The photos are beautiful, the family is beautiful, the moments captured are beautiful. These could pass for commercial print ads for major brands like Gap and Guess. Extraordinary work!

  45. Ya Ya DeClaire said

    I LOVE these pictures, of course I have favorites. They difinitely capture the love and happiness your family shares. Weh can I order?

  46. Emily said

    Love Love Love these pics!!!

  47. Jamie Ownbey said

    I can not express how much I love these pictures…I keep looking at them over and over…they are breath taking!!

  48. cindi thompson said

    Love all of them it would be so hard to pick just one… What a beautiful family you have

  49. Mary Ann and Gary Taylor said

    Kim, James and Raleigh, I just showed these photos to Gary and we both laughed and cried to see your beautiful family in front of the camera with Rene as the photographer. Thanks for sending the love this way! Love, Mary Ann and Gary

  50. Kevin Bechert said

    Very beautiful photos.

  51. Erika Marlowe said

    Love, love, love the pictures. You guys are a beautiful family!

  52. Judi Clough said

    Oh baby girl! Your beautiful! These pictures made me cry, happy cry! Didn’t know a picture could bring out the soul of a family. Rene’, THANK_YOU! Thank-you James for loving my baby girl the way you do. You’ve put a smile on her face that hasn’t been there for a long time!!

  53. Julia Rossi said

    Love love love all of these pictures. I want to buy them all and it isn’t even my family!!! So beautiful! :)

  54. Katie Abram said

    Wow! Beautiful photos! And what a beautiful family! Thanks so much for sharing!

  55. James DeClaire said

    Rene, I must admit I was being the typical guy when Kim said “I want to get our pictures done, and I fell in love with this photographer”. She showed me your web site and was really excited about getting the pictures done. I was happy to do it and was looking forward to some family pics. However, I was shocked when I saw what you had done, simply amazing. I mean I knew we looked good, but you put us on another level. Seriously though thank you. These pictures will be something we will treasure forever.

  56. Bethany said

    beautiful family and great photos!

  57. Bethany said

    beautiful family and great photos!!!!

  58. Laura said

    wow, Kim you are a hotty!

  59. Michelle Thomas said

    I love every single one of these photos. You are such a happy, loving family. Love you! Michelle

  60. Karen Gruber said

    Kim-
    Thanks so much for sharing, you are absolutely radiant. I can’t wait for Raleigh and Jaymie to spend some time together-love to you all! Karen & Jim

  61. Audra said

    Beautiful pictures!! You can really see all the LOVE in every picture!!

  62. Heather Violette said

    This has to be one of the best layouts of photos that really capture the people in the pictures. If you didn’t already know James and Kim and Raleigh these stunning photos share a true glimpse into their beautiful family! Well Done!!!

  63. Amber Brinson said

    These pictures are so amazing and breathtaking. When I get family pictures done eventually, I will contact this photograhper.

  64. Jody King said

    Beautiful photos! They turned out great!!

  65. Marian Landeros said

    Great pictures Kimmie!
    You have a wonderful family.

  66. ginger said

    Beautiful family

  67. Donna W said

    amazing photos!

  68. Michele said

    Love the pictures!!! Beautiful! :)

  69. Jane said

    Beautiful pictures

  70. Monica said

    Love the pictures….they are great:)

  71. Kim Rose said

    The pictures of Kim and her family are just beautiful! I will share these with everyone cuz they are just beautiful.

  72. Kim Rose said

    These are absolutly beautiful, beautiful pictures.

  73. Adam T said

    Great photos. The turned out awesome!

  74. Brianna Brown said

    These are absolutely amazing! So creative and I believe they really capture the feeling of love and family. Thumbs up!

  75. Kim Rose said

    These are absolutly beautiful!

  76. Christy Odum said

    Your pictures turned out beautifully! I love the colors, and how they look so natural and not posed. You have a great looking family!!

  77. Angela Mitchell said

    BEAUTIFUL pictures!! Can’t wait to get copies to frame!!

  78. Jill Carney said

    These are beautiful! The colors and environments bring out the beautiful spirit of their family!

  79. Jenny said

    What a beautiful family and what wonderful photos. I LOVE the action shots… amazing!

  80. Tammy Maestretti said

    Thise pictures are amazing. Truely beautiful!!!!

  81. Tiffany said

    I really enjoyed your pictures the person who took them did a very good job of showing how happy you guys are togather…

  82. Larry DeClaire said

    Rene has done a very artful job on these photographs: composition, lighting, posing. She obviously was able to put you guys at ease — even intense little Raleigh — for natural looking portraits. Let me know how to ordert my favorites. Dad

  83. Jill Brown said

    Absolutely amazing!!! You three are a beautiful family :)

  84. Diane said

    Love them guys! Really beautiful!

  85. Cherie Abbott said

    Your family is beautiful! Love these pictures!

  86. Christy Deaville said

    Oh my gosh….. you guys are the cute family!!!!

  87. Makania said

    Pics are beautiful. Looks like you should be in a magazine.

  88. Joan DeClaire said

    Am I really related to these people? So gorgeous!

  89. M said

    M says that these are some AWESOME pictures! Lots of very original and beautiful shots.

  90. Whitney said

    Oh My. One of the most beautiful families as a whole, and people as individulas I have ever known. I do love these photos and believe it does so capture the essence of J & K DeClaire and sweetest baby too. Beautiful. (and Kim, you really are beautiful. wow)

  91. Erica Stone said

    Wow! Those are absolutely beautiful! I think the last one is my favorite. She is so cute :)

    I love it that you can see your true smiles and laughs coming through the pictures.

  92. Chris Clemens said

    Wow! Amazing photos and what a perfect looking family unit you guys have put together. Thanks for sharing.

  93. Angie said

    The photo’s are amazing. Your family looks beautiful!!! Wish she lived in our area!

  94. Sarah Norwood said

    that baby + Jewelry shot took my breath away, and left my face with a giant smile!

  95. Aubrey Silverman said

    These are ADORABLE, RENE!

  96. Jim DeClaire said

    Great pics. Now I really can’t wait for the reunion. Jim DeClaire I

  97. Sarah Pearl said

    Great pictures Kim…too bad we don’t live close because I would love some pictures like these.

  98. Jackie said

    Amazing pictures!

  99. Joanie said

    Amazing photographs! Such a beautiful little family.

  100. Nancy said

    The pictures are beautiful. Thanks for your share these precious moments.

  101. Louann said

    Beautiful! Great pictures, but of course she had beautiful subjects…

  102. Becky said

    Beautiful! I love them all! :)

  103. Katie said

    You can’t help but smile when looking at these beautiful photos. So lovely!

  104. Larry said

    Beautiful photography, beautiful family! Love the backlit silhouettes. I can just picture you guys doing that. And then Kim laughing uncontrollably! Thanks for sharing. These really are beautiful.

  105. Cindi said

    Kim James and Raleigh. What a perfect beautiful family. I love that Rene captured the true to life and that it shows how special you truly are as a family. That’s why we love you. You celebrate and embrace every moment and I appreciate your outlook on life. These pictures are breath taking. We love you guys very much! the Diecks!!!

  106. Melissa said

    These are simply beautiful! It really is the simple things in life that can bring so much joy in a persons life. And Rene, you have captured that! Beautiful!

  107. Craig said

    Even I was moved by these….

  108. Jennifer Page (Kimball) said

    Wow, gorgeous you guys! Kim you are truly beautiful. James, you aren’t bad yourself. ;-) You are blessed & so lucky to have captured these photos together. love you, Jenn

  109. Kim DeClaire said

    Rene!!!! I want to kiss you! This is far, far beyond anything I could have ever hoped for. You did it. You captured…us! Thank you!

  110. Jen O said

    You’re all so beautiful, what a great family you’ve created!

  111. Jim Collins said

    Yup. When I grow up I want to learn to make people comfortable enough to take pictures like this, especially the last one and the one that I think is your favorite (of Kim and James on the couch).

    Great work Rene with a great looking family.

    JC

  112. Heather LaSota said

    I had such a blast hanging out with everyone at this shoot! These pics are phenomenal and capture the love that I know James and Kim have for each other and Raleigh. So amazing…Rene you are so amazing beyond words!

  113. Kami said

    That little girl has BEAUTIFUL eyes! Props to you for catching the love and personality of this family. LOVE IT! (And thanks for more than just a sneak peek :) I just might love your family photography the best!)