Archive for May, 2010
Elizabeth and Ryan
28.05.10 
engagements
Gooood morning blog world! And happy Friday! Crazy how time flies, I was in Atlanta this time last week. Wow. But this week has been wonderful with some realllly good engagement shoots! Starting with this one.
I met up with Elizabeth and Ryan this week to shoot their engagement portraits. We started at Elizabeth’s favorite spot on the planet – an old bucket swing at her friends’ ranch in Black Forest. This is the spot where Ryan planned on proposing, but sometimes us girls just get in the way and have our own plans. ;-) These two were such a blasty blast to photograph. Beyond words. We had so much fun. Often times there is a “warm up” stage at the beginning of a photo shoot where the couple feels slightly awkward, and rightfully so never having been photographed. But with these two, they just FELL INTO my camera! I have never seen a couple just love each other so effortlessly. Just look…
We love this picture frame.
Simply stunning.
LOVE these! Elizabeth you work that camera, girl!
Ahhh! Buttery light? Yes, please!
#1 fave from the whole shoot.
Ryan, you’ve got it goin’ on.
I just couldn’t let all the light go to waste as we were driving home, so we just pulled over and shot right by this bent over sign. :)
You can make a great portrait anywhere with the right light.
Elizabeth and Ryan, we’re lifer. I love you guys! Thank you for being so chill, so relaxed, so open to anything, and so EFFORTLESS! You make me look good. ;-)
27 Comments
Memorial Day
27.05.10 the latest & greatest
Hot dogs? Check.
Bratwurst? Check.
Hamburgers? Check.
Full tank of gas? Check.
Smores Fixings? Check.
As you run down your Memorial Weekend checklist, don’t forget to acknowledge a real American idol — thank a member of our incredible military and take a minute to remember those who gave their tomorrows so we could have ours.
Taken this week in Kansas City, Missouri during Tonya and JP’s engagement session.
9 Comments
- paul luke said
ooh la la
- paul luke said
OOh la la…
- Teresa Mayes said
These pictures are amazing!!!! Can’t wait to see wedding pics!
- John Hill said
These were some of the best pictures I have ever seen of Tonya and JP. I love Tonyas full smile and JP’s sly look.
Just two people in love… - doug said
JP picked good!
Tonya should be in movies - Mark D. said
All wonderful pics. I think the baseball pictures are the best!
- Randy Nelson said
Great couple. The pics are wonderful. Good photographer.
- Kathy Barba said
These are great pics!!!! You two should go into modeling. Do I see Calvin Klein ads in your future?
- Shannon Coker said
Happy Memorial Day to you Ms. Tate!
Stanford, CA Engagement: Linda & Mike
26.05.10 engagements
Sometimes it’s about the shared history — where you’ve been, what you’ve done, and who has experienced it with you. Because after all, don’t they say it’s our past that often defines us? Yes, sometimes it may be about the shared history.
Linda and Mike, whose history is rooted back east at the University of Virginia, met their freshman year of college and began dating their sophomore year. With more than eight semesters and a plethora of final exams under their belts, both are on to higher education at Standford University. Linda is pursuing a PhD in biomedical informatics (yeah, don’t worry, she didn’t even know what it meant when I asked!) and Mike is in the midst of his law degree. And they’re still together. Working together, studying together, and dreaming together. Dreaming of the future.
Because, they way I see it, it’s not necessarily their pasts which define them, but their future. No, not their shared history, which indeed has established their love, but their shared vision and shared love, validated by memories of the past.
Linda and Mike, you have some outstanding paths ahead of you and I’m so excited to see where you are led together. It was a breath of fresh air to shoot with you around Stanford University. Thank you opening up to me and allowing me to capture the joyful, playful souls that you are.
Love you guys!
R
The light was just perfect!
One of their favorite places on campus.
Yeah, Linda is a bombshell!
The band of Linda’s ring is so petite and dainty! It’s a perfect match for her.
Perfection.
Love this shot when Linda candidly looked back at me.
It was really important to Mike and Linda that we capture not only them, but also focus on their environmental surroundings a bit too.
Mike, you are such a stud! This is where he was pulling out all his GQ moves.
My faves:
The next few shots are the courtyard on campus where Mike proposed.
109 Comments
- Gail Richards Dunn said
Wonderful pictures of 2 sweet, spirit-filled people–best wishes and congratulations!
- Meta said
Linda, you’re pictures are beautiful! Congratulations on your engagement and all of the success you have enjoyed so far on your journey!
- Reams said
Lookin’ good guys. Congrats. Hope you’re both doing well.
- Jenna said
The architecture complements the two models so well. Congrats Linda Mike!
- Daniel Li said
Congratulations!
- Tiffany Liu said
You both look amazing! Congratulations again :)
- Kira said
i love stanford and u guys in it
- Laura said
These photos are stunning! Not surprising, given how beautiful and in love you two are, but the shots do an amazing job of capturing that and the Stanford scenery. Beautiful!
- Lee said
Sticks, my favorite pictures are the ones where you can see Linda and you’re all blurry in the background. Congrats again!
- Grant Scavello said
Congratulations Mike and Linda! I am so excited for both of you, and think your pictures look great! Stanford is lucky to have you!
- Chang said
Love these pictures, especially the one under the arches.
- Michelle said
Congrats Linda! These pictures are stunning.
- Jonathan Armstrong said
Looking good!
- Kristina Richards said
Simply wonderful! These are so creative and you both look beautiful!
- AnneBa said
Gorgeous! Congrats again :)
- Katie said
The pics look great! Congrats to you both!!
- Pablo SC said
Both look so very happy =D Congratulations!
- Sara Morgan said
Congrats Linda and Mike! These pictures are gorgeous!
-Sara
- Jenna Sheldon-Sherman said
I love these of you two–you both look fantastic, and more importantly, so happy :) Congrats again!!
- Gayle Denman said
These are gorgeous!!!
- Steven Syverud said
I like these a lot – they came out really well.
- Mimi said
Linda, you are absolutely GORGEOUS in these photos!!! I also love the one where you candidly looked back. Hoping whenever I have a photo session, my pictures are such as stunning. Congratulations!!
- Toby said
Congrats guys! Great pictures!
- Melissa said
These are beautiful! (When have I seen an ugly photo!? NEVER!) Such a wonderful location – very romantic. Wonderful job!
- Allison Barnes said
Beautiful Pictures! Very professional!!
- Suzy said
Linda you look beautiful in these pictures! Congratulations to you both, I hope you’re well!
- Helna said
awww these pics of you guys are adorable :D You guys make such a cute couple
- Amanda S. said
Linda you look beautiful in these pictures! Congratulations on the engagement!
- Nicole Marie said
This photography is amazing!
- Andrew said
I love the picture of you guys walking toward the church with Linda looking back. Congrats!
- Nicole said
Congrats Linda and Mike! You’re so beautiful and the pictures turned out so well!
- Yi L said
classy photos fit for a beautiful couple
- Kent said
congrats
- Kent said
These pictures look great – Congrats!
- Kent said
These pictures look great. Congrats!
- Frances said
Congrats Linda and Mike! Beautiful pictures!
- April said
Looking good! Congratulations!
- Kyle said
These photos are beautiful! Congratulations you two!
- Kyle said
These photos are beautiful! Congratulations, Mike and Linda!
- Dongshan said
Congratulations! These photos are amazing.
- howie said
beautiful pictures, and congratulations. hope school is going well!
- Ben Yobp said
These are absolutely stunning photos! So professional! Best of luck Linda & Mike, hopefully we’ll all meet up again in Va some time.
- Jon M said
These photos are adorable! Congrats to both of you. Great ambiance!
- Jenisa Nazzaro said
These photos are great!!!!!! I love all the smiles!
- Jenisa Nazzaro said
I love these photos!!! the Sepia tones are wonderful. Just an overall adorable couple!!!
- Sheetal said
These pictures look great! Congrats to the both of you!
- Sheetal said
I’m so happy for you both. The pics look wonderful. Congrats!
- Oana said
Lovely! :)
- Sipian said
This is adorable Linda! All the best wishes to you and your fiance!! <3
- Jessica said
Congrats Linda! The pictures are beautiful and really capture your personality! Yay, love them!
- Kenton said
Congrats Sticks and Linda! Stanford is almost as beautiful as UVA!
- Justin said
Congrats Linda!
- Alexa Hahn said
Love the pictures! Now that I’m engaged too, I stalk EVERYONE’s wedding-related photos! Congrats!
- TiffanyHom said
You look fantastic! What great photos! Best of luck!
- TiffanyHom said
Beautiful photos! You look lovely, Linda! Best of luck!
- Alex M said
I don’t know, Rob & Rob have some hot pictures too. Do they owe Rene a copyright on the pose?
- Linh Ly said
These pictures are adorable! You look so beautiful Linda.
- Rob said
these amazing photos make me reconsider my decision to remain a bachelor! hahaha
- Susan Champion said
You guys are beautiful!!!!
- Susan Champion said
You guys bring out the gorgeous in each other. You look so happy it makes me cry!!! :)
- EY said
Beauuuutiful!
- Laura said
Lovely! The light by the church is just beautiful :)
- Laura said
LOVELY! Congratulations to you guys!!!
- Tiffany said
You all look wonderful! :D
- Virginia Lu said
Love the pictures! Congrats on your engagement!
- Chang Liu said
Super sweet pictures!!!!! Also love you wearing the top from the San Fran shopping tour last time! Wish you all the best.
- weech said
These are amazing pics!
- Meg said
Great pictures!! We are so happy for you guys.
- Leah said
Mike and Linda! The pictures look great, I especially love the sepia ones!!!!!!
- Gabe Martinez said
Linda, you look beautiful! Congrats on your engagement :)
- Collin said
These pics are great! You guys look super cute!
- Collin said
You two are so cute!
- Stacy said
Congrats! Great photos of you two!
- Nikesh Kotecha said
Great pics! Congratulations!
- Dana Carson said
Congratulations, Linda, these are gorgeous!
- Grace Tang said
Congratulations! You two look so happy and natural together. The photos are amazing!
- Ling said
What a beautiful set of photos! I love them all. Congratulations!
- Bingjie said
congratulations! you two are so beautiful =)
- Matt Miller said
Dennis, SWEET COMMENT! These are great pictures and congratulations to Linda and Michael!
- Whitney Minnick said
I love them all. Linda you look beautiful! You two are such a great couple and look terrific together. :)
- Judy said
Beautiful pictures!
- Sarah Norwood said
Can you say Bombshell shoot! I can!
- Nancy Miller said
These are fabulous photos of a wonderful couple in a beautiful California setting. Congratulations to Linda and Michael!
- Sarah said
Stunning photographs; the location is captured as beautifully as the loving couple. Wonderful!
- James Liu said
Congratulations Mike and Linda! We love you very much! The beautiful pictures also show your beautiful minds!
- Karen Sachs said
Gorgeous!!
- Karen Sachs said
OMG these are gorgeous!! You look soooooo beautiful Linda!
- Lenora said
You two look wonderful! Great shots! Linda, you are gorgeous!
- Dennis Miller said
IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THESE PICTURES THAT LINDA AND MICHAEL HAVE INCREDIBLE LOVE AND DEVOTION TO EACH OTHER. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF CAPTURING THE MAGICAL FEELING BETWEEN THESE INDIVIDUALS.
- Jaffer said
Remarkably light and joyful photos. I’d like to wish the couple a happy engagement and a even happier married life.
- Kat & Rob Martin said
We are so excited for the both of you! These pictures are gorgeous and you both look so happy! :)
- Nicole Carr said
This is my favorite engagement shoot to date!! I LOVE where you guys shot and how you photographed them….not to mention, they are a very photogenic couple!!! Tell Linda she needs to become a personal shopper….I’d hire her in a heartbeat!!
Amazing work Rene :-) I seriously am in love with this shoot!!
- Michael S. Miller said
Beautiful, beautiful photos. As Mike’s father, I’m a bit biased I guess, but Linda and our son sure are a wonderful couple, and the photographs capture them superbly. Breathtaking.
- Caroline said
Linda and Mike- These photos are amazing…
Linda- you look strikingly beautiful! - Caroline said
Linda and Mike, These are amazing photos!
Linda, you just look so striking and beautiful!!!!Rene- These photos are gorgeous…Nice work!
- Kevin said
Beautiful photos of a beautiful couple!
- Kevin said
Great photoes!
- Zinnia said
Gorgeous! You two are lovely.
The photos angled from below are cool!!
- Savitri said
Lovely! Congratulations Linda and Mike.
- Callie said
You both look so happy and the pictures are beautiful =) Congratulations!
- weech said
Wonderful pics! You two look great together!
- Tina said
WOW! I really like these photos! They are so beautiful. I love you Mike and Linda.
- Courtney Haswell said
Wow Linda! You look so beautiful!!! Congratulations on your engagement!
- Natasha Solomon said
Linda. You look so happy. I am thrilled for you.
- Marian Y. said
So many lovely shots, you beautiful couple!! May the Lord’s love always be with you!!
- rachelle Orozco said
My favorites are the one where Linda is on Mike’s back. Really good-looking couple and really beautiful scenery!
- Babita said
These pictures are AMAZING! You look gorgeous, Linda :)
- Rachelle Orozco said
These are great photos! Really good-looking couple and really great scenery!
My favorites are the ones where Linda is on Mike’s back.
I love them!
- Ashley said
These photos are GORGEOUS!! I love the picture third from the top. So beautiful.
The Tourist
24.05.10 personal
Hey! Happy Monday everyone! Jes and I just returned from Matt and Aubrey’s incredible Atlanta wedding! Preview to come on that! Until then, I wanted to share one last and final post with you from my Sweden/Scotland trip. Thus far you’ve seen, The Abstracts, The Landscapes, The People, and you’ve heard some highlights. This post, entitled The Tourist, is just a few of yours truly.
Because I was traveling alone, I didn’t get too many images of myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t get hardly any in Sweden. The ones I did get came out blurry… Swede after Swede couldn’t get my camera to work correctly. I finally gave up and quit fighting the language barrier.
Just outside the Vasa Museum, a really neat viking ship, in Stockholm, Sweden.
At my first hostel ever with Kim and Vivian from France.
With Cebrael (pronounced Gabriel), manager of the hostel. We were good buddies during my stay. We shared a lot of laughs and a lot of music. He was by far my saving grace who eased me into the solo journey that was ahead. Very fond memories of him and my time at the Nordic Hostel.
At the Central Station in Stockholm with a group of Scottish folks, well mostly Scottish, who just happened to be staying at my hostel and headed home to Scotland on the same flight as me!
We all flew into Edinburgh and had dinner before they caught a train to Dundee. From left: Andy (who I nicknamed Softy, because of his soft Irish accent), Stuart, me, Phil, Courtney, and Cameron. They were so awesome at taking care of me and giving me advice that I actually met up with them again towards the end of my trip for some cider and a Scotland/Ireland rugby match. Proud to say my Scottish boys won. ;-)
My first day in Edinburgh at the top of its famous castle.
First day picking up my rental car.. making my way to Oban, which is the gateway to the western isles, including the Isle of Iona.
My oh-so-sweet Subaru Legacy. :-) I cannot tell you how much fun I had driving all over the country of Scotland. It was SO scary at first, yet I couldn’t help but just giggle at the situation. Driving on the other side of the road is quite exhilarating.
Oh yeah… Even had radio controls on the steering wheel, just like home. :-) I had the PERFECT mixes already prepared… full of great driving music. Thanks to Jesie and my friend Roger.
Remember that long story that I posted a while back about running in Iona? The following two photos were taken that evening. I had a special request from a very special boy at home to get a shot of me next to the Scottish seashore. This was my attempt at a self portrait:
And you can bet your bottom dollar that scarf was made in Scotland. ;-)
One last shot the next morning at my Iona bed and breakfast. And no, I didn’t plan these colors. :-)
And that’s it, friends! Thanks for allowing me to make kind of big deal of all this on my blog. This experience was a huge deal in my life and I just couldn’t resist sharing some of these experiences with you.
Onward!
6 Comments
- Melissa said
Oh my goodness R – so beautiful! I am very jealous. Way to follow your dreams girl! <3
- Emily said
These are all great, Stanford was a perfect setting! You guys looks awesome too, I especially like this one, so simple but captures both of you really well: http://renetatephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/192.jpg
- Nicole Carr said
You’re just too adorable!! That last shot is just totally you.
- Kami said
BEAUTIFUL!
- Kim DeClaire said
What great shots of yourself! I especially love the last one…Your sweater is perfect!
- Jessi said
Rene, that really sounds like an amazing adventure. You are so brave for driving across Scotland all by yourself! Oh, and also, I love that white and blue striped sweater you are wearing in the Sweden photos :)
You both look so wonderful and so playful!
Soooo cute, and lovely, and beautiful. The joy captured in these photos is overwhelming — love it!
I can’t imagine a more beautiful couple! These pictures are so… “you guys”!!! I will definitely be bookmarking this page to look at over, and over, and over again!!! :-) Love you!
I LOVE these!Very Elizabeth/Ryan-esque=) I can’t wait for a month from today!
Some of the most creative compositions I’ve ever seen. Very “happy” pictures. Elizabeth could have picked a somewhat more photogenic partner, but hey, for the given subject matter, the photos are outstanding! VERY outstanding!
Elizabeth! These are LOVELY!! I’m glad Duster the Cat didn’t sneak into any of them… I like how Rene used the tire swing, the drive, and even the bent-over sign. You, my dear, are beautiful!
Elizabeth you look gorgeous in every single picture!! I’m so excited for your guys’ wedding.
Amazing pictures. Amazing couple. How fun!!!
Great pics! And no old hat on Ryan! Amzaing!
These are beautiful pictures, you both look like you are having so much fun!
This looks serious! Are you really getting married? :-) Great pics. When did my little girl turn into a beautiful bride to be?
GORGEOUS! Rene- you’ve managed to capture these two perfectly! love you ryan and elizabeth! Can’t wait to witness your wedding!
Looks like you all had a great time!
Talk about naturals in front of the camera. I love it! <3
Rene, these are fabulous and so are you!
Those pictures are amazing, I’m so happy for you!
Wow these are amazing! Cant wait to see the wedding pics
Elizabeth and Ryan,
Ya’ll look AMAZING! I love the pics! Can’t wait for your big day! Love you guys!
Congrats, awesome pictures!
wow. love the pics :) My fav is defiantly the only with the sign in the backround
Beautifully done! Very natural and not corny! :) I think one of my favs is the last, with the two on “balancing” on the road off into the sunset. Tough to choose tho! Thanks for sharing with your far-off-rels! :)
These are stunning! The pictures scream out how much you two love one another. I am so excited for you two!
Beautiful! My favorite is the one above Rene’s comment that talks about Buttery light. You two look so happy! Congrats again and again!
And – I’m glad to see the orange hat did not make an appearance. ;^)
These are stunning!
Wait. They kiss?!
just kidding…Beautiful!
Fabulous and perfect. You two are adorable.
WOW Rene these are amazing and so perfect. That was such a fun day! Elizabeth and I had dinner afterwards and the whole experience was like a date for us!