Looking Back

30.11.11 our two cents

I’m a woman of few words.

I like to just cut to the chase.  More often than not, my blog posts are short and sweet.

But sometimes, things hit me and I just have to share.  Or, if you’re my boyfriend, then I’m just sharing all the time. ;-) hah Sorry, sweetie.

Well, with that being said, I want to tell you about my friend Tj.

Tj…

She wasn’t always my friend.  I met her when I was just a wee lass at the University of Colorado, just getting my feet wet in the photography world.  I remember it like it was yesterday: Principles of Marketing with Professor Knock.  And I’m pretty sure I had to do a project on a local business… and I’m pretty sure I convinced Professor Knock that it was a good idea to use my own business. :-) Free advertising, right?

Well, my presentation came and went… my presentation on René Tate Graphic Design & Photography.

… cause clearly I understood the power of specialization. ;-)

Like I said, my presentation came and went, and it wasn’t long before I received an email from a classmate: Tj, who was in need of some family portraits.

Well.  I did her family portraits.  Then the following year, I did her daughter’s senior portraits.  Then I did her family portraits again, then her son’s football portraits, then her boudoir portraits, then a portrait session of just her and her son, then another set of boudoirs, and then another set of football portraits, and then just last week: another boudoir.

And I tell you all this, not to brag, but reiterate.

Yes, reiterate.

To reiterate an old piece of advice that is tried and true.

You see, I got to looking through some of those first family portraits the other day and was reminded how far we’ve come…

We, as in Tj and myself.

Over the course of her nine portrait sessions, both Tj and I have gone through an enormous transformation.  I have grown leaps and bounds in photography.  And Tj, well, Tj has shed over 110 pounds.

So that reiterating-old-advice-part I was talking about…

Sometimes you have to look at where you’ve been to appreciate where you are and where you’re going.

 

So here’s to growth.  And change.  And transformation.  And not posing people through tree branches.  And to avoiding ugly shadows on peoples’ faces.  :-)  And to extreme weightloss.

And, especially, to those old tried and true sayings…

 Rome wasn’t building a day.  Things don’t happen over night.  Patience is a virtue.  

To anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut, this post is for you.

Much love,
René (and Tj too)

Washington, D.C.: Jenny & James

29.11.11 destination engagements

They say that opposites attract.

That finding a mate who is your opposite is like touching two electrical wires together: sparks fly and things really heat up.  He zigs, you zag. I think James was the first to say it, “She’s the yin to my yang.  We just balance each other.”

And I paraphrase…

     Like how I never pull the shower curtain closed after a shower.  She always does.

     Well, he’s more of a journalist and factual writer, where as I write poetry.

     She’s quiet and I, well, I tend to dominate the conversation.

Because that’s really want makes life work, right?  Balance.  What a better way to do life than with someone who fills in yours gaps.

:-)

Jenny, James, and I met up over the Veterans Day weekend in Washington, D.C. These two are getting married in Colorado, but wanted engagement portraits that represented their current life in D.C.  I jumped at the chance to go out there and capture life as they know it.

J&J, I can’t wait for your big day in June!  It’s going to be fabulous.  I just hope the wedding cake’s good. ;-)

So much love and joy to you,
René

We started off the day with a bite to eat at one of their favorite cafés near Eastern Market.

I totally felt like a private investigator following these two around the market.

Love!

You are so beautiful, Jenny!

After Eastern Market, we made our way to the National Mall where the colors were to die for!

So handsome, James!

Definitely one of the more insane things I’ve ever done in my lifetime: engagement pictures on the Lincoln Memorial on the Saturday of Veterans Day Weekend.  Ay yi yi – it was a zoo of people!

Love these!

We chased the light to Dupont Circle where these two got engaged.

Featured: ModishWed

26.11.11 press

We are so pleased to share with you a new resource for the Southern Colorado bride.  ModishWed is a resource of inspiration for the Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado Bride. They promote and showcase local, emerging wedding vendors that have a flair for the modern and trendy.

I guess that’s us. :-)

When Amber and Amanda from ModishWed wrote to see if we were interested in supporting them, we were absolutely honored!  Colorado Springs needs these two lovely ladies. We’re excited to help out such ambitious ladies – we know a thing or two about ambitious ladies. ;-)   We were even more excited when we got the emailing saying Ashton and Mike’s engagement session was featured on the front page of the ModishWed blog!

Check it out!

Aubrey & Matt Christmas Portraits

26.11.11 portraits

‘Tis the season!  Aubrey and Matt, who are approaching their three-year wedding anniversary, decided it was time to have some Christmas card portraits taken.  We met up for a quick shoot this week and this is what we got!

Interested in a mini, holiday portrait session?  E-mail us!

Love you so much, Aubrey and Matt.  I am blessed by your friendship!

With joy,
René

Love!

What a gorgeous smile!! ;-)

Loved having my “assistant” in town this week!