René Tate Photography

Archive for January, 2012

Australia: Sydney Sunrise to Sunset – Part II

30.01.12 personal

Good morning!  Happy Monday.  I’ve got a treat for you.

Day three of Australia began with waking up in the heart of Sydney.  I spent my first half-day getting acquainted with the city… going to the zoo and seeing a few sights. On my first full day, I woke up to catch sunrise again.  (Photographers have this thing with sunrises… :-)

I was staying right on the harbor so the Opera House and Bridge were just short walks.

Insider tip: If you want to see the Opera House when it isn’t crowded, sunrise is the way to go.  I had it all to myself.

Enjoy.

Missing Australia,
René

The harbor was just beautiful.  While the sun was out.  I’m afraid it went behind a cloud shortly after this photo was taken at 6am and stayed put behind a cloud for the next several, chilly days.

Serenity.

After exhausting my feet and the morning, I caught a ferry and headed to Manly Beach where I chilled with a good book.  A couple hours before sunset I made my way back to the harbor and grabbed the gorgeous night life.

Up next: Part III – A few excerpts from the personal photo archive.  Stay tuned.

3 Comments

  1. Coele said

    Rene you are amazing! I love that you can take a photo of something as simple as steps, and make it look like a phenomenal piece of artwork. You have such an amazing talent! I really cannot get enough of your pics! :)

  2. Lauren B said

    Love. I want to go! :)

  3. Kami said

    Two thumbs up, lady. I love them!



Australia: Sunrise on Bondi – Part I of III

29.01.12 personal

So last month, I Tweeted something obscure: “I am going to a far, far away land.”

I didn’t say too much about it because it was a personal vacation, and quite honestly, very last minute.  I left on about a week’s notice.  (Believe or not.)

Long story short, I had the opportunity to accompany my sweet boy to Australia and watch him receive his master’s degree.  I headed down there a few days early to explore on my own.  I made a commitment to myself to take a solo-trip every other year.  They’re so good for the soul.  Halfway into the trip I met up with John and we went straight into his graduation and exploring together.

The majority of the first half of the trip it was just me and my Nikon.  We walked miles and miles together and saw some beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

A few pieces of eye candy to follow over the next three posts.  And yes, John is eye candy. haha So is Australia.

Enjoy.

xoxo and G’Day,
René

I arrived in Sydney around 8am on a Saturday morning.  I headed straight to Bondi Beach, checked in to the hostel, and fought jet-lag while reading a novel on the beach.  I may or may not have fallen asleep and received the worst sunburn of my life.

The next morning, I awoke with the mission of catching sunrise and watching busy Bondi Beach wake up. These are the images that unfolded.

Pre-combing.


Post-combing.

Loved this man and his quirky outfit.

Water-combed.

Ran into these mates about 6am – they were just coming from the bars.  It was right about now when they fell off the 10′ ledge onto the beach.

I managed to take a few lovely, out-of-focus self-portraits.  Don’t mind the drunkards in the background.

Walking on Water.  Almost.


Next up: Part II – a day in Sydney from Sunrise to Sunset.  Stay tuned.

7 Comments

  1. Kami said

    Beautiful! I love them all!

  2. Coele said

    These are phenom Rene! It looks gorgeous there. Can’t wait to see part 2!!

  3. Alicia Ready said

    beautiful!! just like you. :)

  4. Lauren said

    Love these, Rene :) Can’t wait for the rest!

  5. Halie said

    Hey Rene, These pictures are beautiful! I am sure you loved it down there. Brian and I loved it there! It is so beautiful!

  6. Kristi said

    Stunning.

  7. CinniMike said

    What an opportunity of a lifetime. Sunrises and sunsets are some of my favorites. These are beautiful from “Down Under”. I wondered about that Tweet myself. Good for you! As always so beautiful and so expressive! Congrats to John as well on his Masters achievement! Thanks for sharing.



Meet: Cindi and Mike

27.01.12 portraits

They live out in the country.  Secluded.  Together.

He calls her “hun” in the sweetest way possible.

She wears his mother’s wedding ring as her own.

He’s protective of her.

Her eyes are goregous.  Filled with joy and sparkling with love.  Like she’s never seen heartache.  But really, she’s conquered it.

His eyes are deep.  Overflowing with wisdom and intensity of all he’s seen in 18 years as a policeman, yet so much compassion pours out.

They live out in the country.

Secluded.

Together…

They’ve been married for 13 years, but you’d think only 13 days by their playfulness and loyalty.

Though they haven’t been blessed with children of their own, they’ve been blessed with five God-children.  They’ve been blessed with the gift of loving them and each other.  And when the going hasn’t been easy and will likely be rough again, and even when it is easy… they hang onto each other.

And it was that bond which intrigued me most.

Their together bond…

As one of Cindi and Mike’s best friends told me, “[They're] not just like typical spouses.  They are an inspiration for any couple.”

And I don’t even know the half of it…

Mike and Cindi, you two truly are an inspiration.  I can only hope my thirteenth wedding anniversary is filled with as much childlike joy and sweet love as yours.  To say I enjoyed our time together is an understatement.  I eagerly await our paths to cross again.

So much love and joy to you.
xoxo,
René

108 Comments

  1. Benito & Kelly said

    No need for words…..the pictures say it all! Each picture you can see, not just the love they have for each other, but the friendship they have! Love you guys!!

  2. tai said

    You both look so beautiful! I don’t know which I like best!!! Amazing photos!

  3. Jess said

    Love these pictures, you both look amazing!

  4. Jess said

    Love, Love, Love these pictures! You both look sooo happy:)

  5. Riann said

    These are beautiful memories you will cherish forever. I love every single 1! ;)

  6. Whitney said

    Your beautiful soul shines through the lens as perfectly as it does in real life. Magnificent.

  7. Nena said

    Beautiful pictures of you two, and yes very much in love! You guys are great people so happy to know you both & have you in our lives, wish we got to see you more!

  8. Tina said

    Beautiful you two!

  9. melody and Jason Walter said

    Beautiful, loving, inspiring couple Rene… You’re right in many ways, especially the fact that you have no idea the extent of their love, its beyond measure. Not just for themselves as husband and wife, but for the love they give others….

  10. Alesha said

    Beautiful pictures of a GORGEOUS couple – inside and out !!

  11. Kenneth G said

    OMG, this is truly their natural habitat. The pictures definitely capture “THEM”.

  12. Kathleen Wyatt Horner said

    I love #34 and #26!! The pictures are great and really capture y’alls playful nature. I miss seeing you guys all the time, time for y’all to come visit in Texas!! Too bad Rene doesn’t have an office in Texas cause I would definitely hire her to take some pictures for us!!

  13. Tim said

    Really cool photos. I like the old barn theme. You guys look great!

  14. Raquel said

    These are amazing! Absolutely beautiful! I love you both so much! Thank you for sharing these with all of us! Xo

  15. CinniMike said

    I haven’t done my comment yet! I can’t believe all the friends and family that have come forward to share such great comments. It’s such a great feeling. Our friend Rene, such a talent sha has. These photos make my heart smile. So many perfect expressions of us. My Michaels sweet face. He has the best smile. He makes me feel exactly how the photos show. I am excited to get our canvas and too have fun with these photos, sharing with the special people in our lives. Thank you sweet Rene for capturing the spirit of who we are!

  16. Stephanie said

    Beautiful pictures of a great couple. Nice photography, very special moments.

  17. Dawn said

    Great photos. A wonderful couple and a very talented photographer! I wish 100 more Happy Anniversaries!

  18. TL said

    Great photos, two hot models who really enjoy expressing who they are!

  19. Becky H said

    I forgot to tell you that my favorite picture was the 26th picture, where Mike looks very handsome (away from the camera) and you are looking directly at the camera – like you have a secret or something. VERY NICE!

  20. Becky H said

    These photos were so GREAT! I loved going through each one of them. Cindi, your eyes are amazing! You two make such a beautiful couple; it looks like it was a lot of fun, too!

  21. John Anderson said

    OUTSTANDING Photo’s. Very well created and characterized. SHARPER IMAGE – NO DOUBT.

  22. Francesca said

    Wow, amazing photos!!! I love the one in the field where Mike is kneeling behind and you’re both looking at the camera…I choose that one!!!

  23. Sherry Aalbu said

    Love the photos!

  24. Audra said

    Wow! Great pictures!!

  25. Steve True said

    Awesome pics!

  26. Kim True said

    Cindi & Mike, your photographer most definitely caught the love shared between you two! I love them!!!!

  27. JIM BRIDGES said

    Wow, Cindi, looks like you guys had a Great time. You are just as beautiful as all the other women in our family! Love ya’ Jim

  28. Ellen Ledbetter said

    Wounderful pictures..beautiful subjects..love you!

  29. Bobbi said

    I love Mike and Cindi! I love that you have captured the love that they have created and maintained for all these years to be a true inspiration to others. I love the fact that there are some down right SEXY shots that are not forced or posed. Yeah you guys for finding a great photographer to capture the essence of being YOU!!! xoxox

  30. Seth Morrissey said

    These are some of the best pictures that I have seen in a long time. You two are amazing!

  31. Tasha said

    Amazing Photos!!

  32. Kevin Rossi said

    Very nice!!

  33. Julia Rossi said

    You two are amazing. These pics capture you as a couple and the passion and connection you share. Brought a smile to my face to look through these and a tear to my eye. Love them. These are amazing–I am obsessed. :D xoxo

  34. Amber Nunez said

    Wow! Great pictures you can really feel the love they have for eachother!

  35. Laura Curnow said

    Beautiful pics, sexy even.

  36. Mariann Stone said

    Love the pictures. Can feel the love!!!

  37. Mike ONeill said

    Great pictures.

  38. Suzie ONeill said

    These pics capture personalities. Beautiful

  39. Sunny McMillan said

    so amazing

  40. CHRISTY said

    VERY NICE

  41. Jeanette said

    You two are gorgeous! Love all the beautiful pictures!! Xo

  42. karina said

    XXX

  43. karina said

    Love Love Love these photos :)

  44. Larry DeClaire said

    Rene’s photo portraits beautifully capture Cindi and Mike’s loving rapport…especially the couple silhouetted through the barn window. Simply beautiful!

  45. Diane Van Blake said

    Great pics!

  46. The Dorman's said

    Beautiful…

  47. The Dorman's said

    Absolutely gorgeous……love the pic

  48. The Verniers said

    Awesome photos! You two are so beautiful!

  49. David Stanley said

    What a great compilation. Rene, we will certainly reach out to you this summer for a session of our own.

    You’ve done a great job capturing who Mike and Cindi are and the love they have for each other.

  50. Holden said

    dear Mike and Cindi,I love the pics! LOVEHHOOLLDDEEENNXOXO

  51. Jennifer Pettus said

    Beautiful photos!

  52. Tina Borst said

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pix and the amazing portrayal of the love these two share!! So wonderful!!!!

  53. Laurie F said

    I love, love, love these pictures. Captures the love Cindi and Mike have been blessed with. Thank you for sharing.

  54. Bett said

    I love her style! So natural and playful. C & M, you two look phenomenal (although some of the pictures are so sweetly intimate I felt like we shouldn’t have been looking :) Some of my favorite shots are the ones with Cindi’s hands in Mike’s pockets- too cute. Great photography!

  55. Bianca Boyle said

    You guys are so in love and truly an inspiration!

  56. Bianca Boyle said

    You guys are so in love and truly an inspiration! Love you both

  57. rita love said

    :)!!!!!!!

  58. rita love said

    i want you to get your canvas,so i will be posting on this website ,have a great day!

  59. Lindsay Barron said

    You guys are the prettiest people ever!

  60. Amie Kirtley said

    These are amazing pictures! I love how she captured the passion you two have. You guys look great together!

  61. Kris said

    The most wonderful couple I know… here’s to finding the happiness you have found together.. your photos brought tears to my eyes, beautiful!! xx love you Diecks, xx Kris

  62. Hilary said

    Absolutely amazing photo’s!! Mike and Cindi, you are such a beautiful couple. You can see all of the love in the world for each other in your eyes. You two are truly blessed to have found each other, and are even more blessed to be able to share your love for one another each and everyday. Cherish one another each day; don’t take each other for granted; and kiss like it’s the first time, everytime.

  63. Stephanie said

    Stunning pictures…the love you share shines through in all the pictures. You are an inspiration to all!

  64. Robin Beigler said

    Cindi and Mike really are an amazing couple. Their inspirational message of love and friendship have helped made me realize that true love comes in all shapes and sizes, and in my case ages. Cindi and Mike, I hope that Jake and I can provide the strong message of love and friendship the way you have for me.

  65. Robin Beigler said

    Cindi and Mike truely have been an inspirational couple. I have been married for a year and a half, and even i would mistake them for newly-weds. They have shown me how to love unconditionally. Their inspirational message of love and friendship have helped me grow to be a strong loving person and wife. Cindi and Mike you two are the best!!

  66. Mike Dieck said

    Rene, thank you for an experience that my wife & I will never forget. Your talent has given us something we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. These photos were beyond what expected. We feel like we gained another friend as well. These photos make me smile & feel proud of what I have. I love my life & I love my wife. Thank You

  67. Teresa Kanning said

    I met you guys 13 years ago in June… I always thought that you guys were great together and made the perfect couple…. I look at these pics today and think, “yep I was right they still have that same chemistry that they had 13 years ago”. Great to see that you guys are doing well…. Gosh I miss those smiles!

    Love ya, Reesie

  68. Grace Reinis said

    Truly beautiful photos and what a special love story they tell. Thank you for sharing!

  69. Carron said

    You are both beautiful and beautiful together. Love the essence captured.

  70. James Love said

    Dad and Mom says that having been there from the beginning we can say that Mike and Cindi were made for each other. We feel so privileged to be around to watch their love only get more intense. We love them so much and are so proud of them. Thanks to Rene for capturing what true love looks like.

  71. James Love said

    Mom and Dad says that having been there from the beginning we can say that Mike & Cindi were truely made for each other. We feel so privileged to be around to watch their love only get more intense. We love them so much and are so proud of them. Thanks to Rene for catching the intensity of their relationship.

  72. Shannon Sweetman said

    Great shots of a gorgeous couple. What the photographer wrote was beautiful, too.

  73. Susan said

    Wow..fantastic pictures!!

  74. Leora B said

    WOW!!!! Beautiful pics of a Beautiful couple.

  75. MELISSA said

    These pictures are beautiful!! It really captures what an amazing relationship and love that the two of you have for each other. Great photographer!!

  76. Kelli H said

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures!!! OMGoodness, and what she wrote brought tears to my eyes. Love you!

  77. Brant Harrold said

    What a beautiful couple! We are so blessed to have you guys in our lives. You two inspire us to greatness! BH

  78. Donna DeClaire said

    I absolutely love these pictures, it has inspired me to maybe get professional pictures of Larry and I, he doesn’t believe in posed pictures, these are magnigicant.

  79. Rita Love Moore said

    Wow Cindi these are great photo’s of you and Mike,which I hope to meet someday!You look amazing!some of them you look like please hold me I’m freezing,and some say,well i think you know what you two were feeling!GREAT EXPRESSIONS OF YOU’RE LOVE TOWARD EACH OTHER!love you Cindi!

  80. Judi Clough said

    Great Pictures!! Great People!! Thanks for sharing.

  81. Buster Stanley said

    WONDERFUL… I LOVE THEM!!!!!
    HIGH FIVE PHOTOGRAPHER!!!

  82. Marian Stanley said

    Rene, these are absolutely the most beautiful photographs I have seen. it could have something to do with the fact that I love Cindi and Mike and they are part of our big extended family. You have captured the essence of who they are, individually and as the couple they are. THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTY.

  83. Judy said

    Fabulous pix!!!

  84. Jonathan said

    I like the Chris Issac beach scene.

  85. Jonathan said

    I would!

  86. Heather LaSota said

    Wow!! These are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! You two are such a beautiful and inspirational couple!! Miss you guys! And Rene…your talent never ceases to amaze me! Gorgeous!!!

  87. jay w said

    The pictures were hot in an icy empire strikes back kinda theme…I kept thinking “use the force Mike” on a lot of them. Seriously, the pictures are awesome and they really capture the magic that you guys have. Kindness, Love, Passion…it’s all there. Congrats to a great photo shoot. Love you guys !

  88. jenniek said

    OMG!! I love my DIECK too!!!!! You guys are so hot, I want to go home to my very own dieck too. Mostly, I love Cindi, but Mike is super sexy too. But, mostly I really love Cindi…

  89. Kiwi said

    So – sober now!!!
    NOTTTTTT!!

    Love yous guys!

    Love the pics – Daivd and I soooo wannna do this! Sorry for the first post! Sooooo overwhelmed!

    We love you guys! Amazing photos sooooooooooooooooooo jealous! You are so photogenic!!! (that;s a Dieck spelling just sya’n) SO LOVE YOU!!

  90. Kiwi said

    I love my DIECK!!!

    So … My Besteeeyee Friend!

    I donna what too say!

    I’ve been drinlin a bit!!! From the NZ

    Still able to capabiltaleze!!!

    I love yous guys so much and are soooo proud of yous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I can’t wait to strike a pose with you!

    Thank you so much for sharing all the pcis with us!

    Amazing! So blowin awayaAAAA! Not to mention proud!

    Take care and XXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    My signature!
    XO
    Ruth

  91. The Dorman's said

    We loved these pics!!!!! Beautiful couple.

  92. Heather Violette said

    Absolutely stunning!!!!!!!

  93. Woodburns said

    So much love! You two are so special. Love these pictures, Love you both!

  94. BK said

    You both have Ninja skills, but in very different ways! Excellent pics!!!

  95. Natalie Hummell said

    so cute! Good photos, and good models!

  96. Allison Potton said

    Such a beautiful wonderful couple!!! I love you both so much!!! I strive to be as much in love after 13 years as you all are!!!

  97. Alicia Ready said

    These are incredible … as always! What special photos that these two will have! Love the texture of the old corrugated metal behind them, love the snow photos … love them all!

  98. Linda Omar said

    WOW!! Absolutely stunning. So much love and passion captured so clearly. I am in awe.

  99. Linda Omar said

    WOW!! Absolutely stunning. So much love, joy and passion.

  100. Melissa Williams said

    OMGosh these photos are AMAZING! I love these 2 and you captured their spirit in a very special way! Seeing them together in these pics lets me see true love does really exist!

  101. James DeClaire said

    Rene, you did a fenominal job! Mike and Cindi are truly our best of friends. Your photos captured what is so attractive and what draws people to Cindimike. They are so much like a highschool couple so madly in love with each other where they can do no wrong by each other. Thank you so much for capturing it and portraying them that way.

  102. Jamie Ownbey said

    I LOVE these people and the pics, they are AMAZING!!!! Just breath taking….beautiful!!!

  103. Sheri Ridenour said

    Love both of them very much. Great photos! My Sister & Mike are beautiful people on the inside so naturally that comes across in the photos.

  104. Rachael W said

    These are such sweet pictures! Could be in a magazine :)

  105. Ashley Dickens said

    These are rally great pictures. I like all of them.

  106. Kim DeClaire said

    I absolutely LOVE these! The images and CinniMike! Rene, you did such a great job capturing who they are! So beautiful!

  107. Shannon Coker said

    Oh man! That was awesome!!!! That last image says it all….spectacular! :)

  108. Leah Love said

    Love these two! These really do seem like engagement photos. You can tell they love each other so much just the way they look at each other.



Nicky Cruz

25.01.12 portraits

 

“Nicky, you can cut me up into a thousand pieces and I will still love you.”

Those are the words that put Nicky Cruz over the edge.  The words that he couldn’t get out of his mind.  Those are the words that turned an ex-New York City-gang-president into one of the greatest evangelists today.  Maybe you’ve seen the movie made about Nicky’s story, The Cross and the Switchblade?  If not, keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming motion picture, A Thousand Pieces.

The life that his man has led has been nothing short of amazing.  God is using him in big, big ways.  ”Remember, Jesus loves you.  Keep things in focus,” he wrote into his autobiography, Run Baby Run.  ”You’re gonna be impacted by this,” he told me through his thick Puerto Rican accent as he slipped the book into my hands.

Later that week, I sat down with my morning coffee and decided to pick up Run Baby Run and read a chapter.

I didn’t move.

I read the entire book in one sitting.

A couple weeks later, I had the privilege of giving this amazing man a few new publicity head shots.  Here are just a couple of my favorites…

Enjoy.

With love,
René

****  Because Jesie and I were so impacted by this man and his story, we just have to share him with you.
Leave a comment in the box below and we will be drawing two winners next week to receive a personalized, autographed copy of Run Baby Run. ****

P.S.  This man travels all over the globe speaking, but this weekend he’s local. Hear Nicky speak in Colorado Springs this Sunday morning at The Springs Church at 9 or 11am.

12 Comments

  1. Becky H said

    I still remember the movie, “The Cross and the Switchblade.” It made a lasting impression on me. These were awesome pictures, really nice to see Nicky Cruz again, that’s for sure!!

  2. Kristin said

    SO amazing… I cry. every single time!! haha it’s getting a little pathetic <3

  3. Katie said

    I used to work with kids in residential facilities and they ALL loved his book. It was one of their favorites because it was someone they could identify with and someone was sharing elements of their life story in a book they were reading. Count me in, I would LOVE to have an autographed copy.

  4. tanya said

    Love the Cross and the Switchblade….What an AMAZING God we serve…

  5. Alicia Ready said

    I read a book called “Blood Covenant” about an ex-mobster that walked out of the mob, and shares his testimony now publicly about God changing his heart and his life. Loved it, and this one sounds great too! Love you girls!!

  6. Lauren Byrd said

    God is good! He uses all who seek Him and want to live life for Him! Thank you for sharing, Rene and Jesie :) Love you two!

  7. Tally K said

    God never ceases to amaze me in how he uses each of us to share the Gospel! Every tear we cry and every laugh we share is for His glory.
    Great photos!

  8. Gina said

    Our Nana was touched by his story when she read Run Baby Run in the 1990s.

  9. Alyssa said

    René & Jesie – I am so happy for you both to have been able to get to know Nicky Cruz better and be so inspired and touched by his story. Sounds like a great book :)

  10. Emily H said

    Count me in!

  11. Emily H said

    Um…count me in, please! :)

  12. Shannon Coker said

    Awesome images and intrigued at what his story is! :)