engagements, weddings 
Hey hey! Happy weekend! Hope your Saturday is off to a great start. We have our maternity and family shootout today, but I wanted to take a minute and share the second half of Pearlly and Huson’s engagement session with you!
These two are absolutely wonderful people. I am so blessed to have had the chance to work with them. They smile more than anyone I know and are up for adventure. As my boyfriend is just beginning a deployment, Pearlly has been extra thoughtful in checking in on me. How lucky am I to have support from near and far? And that’s Pearlly and Huson: thoughtful. Their shoots came out perfect because they were so prepared!
I hope you enjoy viewing this as much as I enjoyed shooting them! :-D
Pearlly and Huson, what a fun weekend. Love you guys. We’re lifers!
With joy,
René
We began the day at Huson’s host family’s house where he called “home” while attended the Academy.
Later that afternoon we hit up the Air Force Academy for these incredible shots.
You two looked absolutely exquisite!
engagements, weddings 
There are two things I’ve learned to accept as a photographer.
Number one: I will always have a fear of the unknown — which is probably a blog post for later.
And number two: expect the unexpected.
You never know what kind of cards you’ll be dealt. You’ll never know the stories you’ll get to capture. Or the places you’ll go. I feel so incredibly blessed to have this career. I praise God everyday for such a fulfilling and unique career. For each and everyone of our couples who bring life to our images. I am so often in awe of the unexpected people, places, and stories I encounter.
One day I got an unexpected, unique request for a session from the sweetest, most cheerful girl. As cheerful as one could be through email, anyway. Pearlly emailed me a couple months ago, soon after her February engagement to Huson, and told me her desire to have engagement pictures taken in the snow and also at the Air Force Academy.
Pearlly and Huson have been dating for nearly six years and what a story they have. They both call Singapore home and met there when Huson was home on leave from his international exchange experience at the United State Air Force Academy. He attended the Academy for four years, met Pearlly two years into it, graduated in 2008, and since then has been all over the globe training with the Republic Singapore Air Force. After graduation, his career as an F-16 pilot took him to Australia, Canada, and now to Arizona. Over the last several years, they’ve managed to have a thriving and fulfilling relationship while Pearlly remained in Singapore. Only recently did she join Huson in his journeys in Arizona and this past February, he popped the question.
They are planning a New Years Eve wedding in Singapore and in the meantime, their first step was to get some engagement portraits done in Colorado where Huson spent so much of his time and Pearlly often visited. But these aren’t your typical engagement session. First, we broke up our time together into two days and three different sessions. And second, in the Singaporean culture, it is custom to get casual and formal portraits done to have on display at the wedding banquet — very similar to what we know as bridal portraits, but with the groom too.
We started our time together in Keystone, Colorado where these two hit the slopes (and Pearlly once broke her wrist!). After a few casual portraits at the basin, Pearlly and Huson changed into some beautiful formal wear for an adventure on top of the slopes.
Stay tuned for part II’s Air Force Academy session and more about who this couple is and why I love them so much. :-)
With joy,
René
Our gondola ride was picture perfect!

The views at the top were even better.

And because these two love snowboarding, I knew I had to recruit a boarder to help me get this shot for them.

Ugh, I love this shot! Pearlly, you are so gorgeous. Period.

Just wait until you see part II!
I honestly teared up at their beautiful mountaintop photos… Match made in heaven!
Sigh… is there anything more CO than these shots??? Love it!
SO gorgeous, girl!! And Pearlly, YOU ARE STUNNING … every single shot of you two is amazing! :) Truly beautiful couple. Can’t wait to see the other images!
OMG I know I smsed you, emailed you, and commented on your Facebook album, but I love these pictures so much! =)
LOVE.
weddings 
Good morning and happy Thursday! Today we pick up with the second half of Tory and Tom’s beautiful USAFA Chapel/Broadmoor wedding. We start with an amazing shot by Jesie of the wedding party and then head straight into the ceremony. :-)
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
René
sigh … I wish I knew these people. This was a lovely wedding, with absolutely extraordinary images! You girls …
Gah! Beautiful, beautiful! You two rocked this OUUUUT! My favorite is the shot of the dance that shows the bottom of the dress. Gorgeous! So proud of you! xo M:)
Gorgeous and elegant balance! :)
More beautiful pictures! Love it.
SOOO beautiful!! Such a classy, tasteful wedding, love it :)
wow Rene, you guys are the best :)
weddings 
Tory and Tom kicked off our first wedding of the year for Jesie and I as a team. These two are both Air Force Academy grads and currently reside in California. Both are pilots (how awesome is that?) — Tory with the Air Force and Tom with the Navy. Neither are from Colorado so it was a very special event where nearly every guest traveled to witness their commit to each other.
Though Tory planned this wedding from a distance, what an incredible job she did. It was a super beautiful day, we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Start with the most beautiful jewelry and furs I’ve ever seen, add in the most gorgeous wedding party you can imagine, the stunning Academy Chapel, and two people wildly in love and you have a day of pure joy that makes reality a distant dream.
Tory and Tom, I admire you two so much. You’re strong and passionate about what you do and who you are. Keep loving each other the way you do and thank you for serving our country.
xoxo,
René + Jesie
Ceremony: United States Air Force Academy Chapel
Reception: The Broadmoor
Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Blooms: Ambience Florals
Beauty: Marissa of Genesis Salon
Hair: Amber and Aaron of Genesis Salon
Coordination: Classic Designs
Photography: René Tate Photography
Tory’s Verragio ring was to die for. She also wore her beautiful grandmother’s ring.

Meanwhile, Jesie was with the guys.

These pictures are beautiful! So romantic! Tory you look so pretty!
awesome job Rene, just awesome. so stoked for the prints!
Just Beautiful.
incredible.
All I can say is WOW…they are great!
Beautiful Bride and beautiful pictures.
Can wait to see Part II
So excited for this young beautiful couple
All around a perfect day!
What Beautiful pictures that tell a wonderful story of Tom and Tory’s love.
So excited to see more.
These photos are just amazing. OK, the bride and groom are fantastic too.
WOW – amazing. The shots of Tory in the mirror are so cool!
These are amazing… perfect pictures to capture an awesome celebration!
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your special day with us.
Beautiful!
Rene, You and Jesie did a wonderful job. Thanks again for helping make the day so special for Tory and Tom. I look forward to seeing the rest of the photos. Thanks, Bob
Remarkable, amazing. Thank you so much.
Mrs. Nicholson (Tom’s mom)
Remarkable, amazing. Thank you so much.
Mrs. Nicholson (Tom’s mom)
OH Rene and Jesse, you did an incredible job. They are so beautiful, so elegant, so artistically done. Can’t wait to see more. Thanks so much. Mrs. Nicholson
Rene- you and Jessie are fabulous! These pictures take my breath away and I can’t wait to see the rest!! Thank you so much for capturing our wedding for us. I don’t know how you read my mind, because I’m sure I didn’t even really know what kind of pictures I wanted. You’re obviously a genius, and I think we’re going to need an album after all…
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. it really captures the day and all the memories. These are so artistic.
Resurrects wonderful memories of a truly lovely day. Loved the photos of the tastefully intimate moments of “getting dressed” time.
Tory…such a beautiful bride! These photos really capture the day and the mood. Thanks for sharing with me!
Beautiful!
R and J you did such an amazing job, as always. What a classy wedding …. love the fur, can’t wait to see more of your handiwork! I love the photo of them walking with her arm draped on his shoulder as she looks back. Gorgeous!
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL photographs! They definitely captured the love in that day :)
Hot!
Congratulations…Wish we could have been there. You both look wonderful!! :)
Congratulations…wish we could have been there. You both look wonderful. congrats again!!! :)
These pictures are so gorgeous. I love the ones of Tory’s accessories and the process of her getting ready. And the photos taken outside of Tom and Tory are so sweet.
Wow!! Your pictures turned out gorgeous!! Tory, you were such a beautiful bride, and Tom looked so handsome!! Wish you two the best!!
What a beautiful couple!
May God bless you both with many years of health and happiness together.
Gorgeous pictures!! So much creativity was used. What a beautiful wedding it was! I was honored to be there to share in Tory and Tom’s very special day!
The best wedding ever!!!!
This is the best wedding i have ever been to. These pictures are really good. The photographers are great!
The most beautiful pictures I have seen.
Hi Tory you and Tom look good. Wish I was there!
What a wonderful memory – absolutely beautiful pictures not to mention the Bride was stunning!!
These are the most gorgeous photos ever! Thank you!!!
Great Photos!! Enjoy them!!!
Great Photos!!! Enjoy them!
The photos are amazing…I can not wait to see the rest of the pictures. The photographers are true artist.
These pictures are so gorgeous. I love the ones of Tory’s accessories and the process of her getting ready. The photos taken outside of Tom and Tory are so sweet.
Beautiful pictures Rene and Jesse! Tory and Tom – you two make a beautiful couple and planned the most elegant wedding! We are so happy we were able to celebrate with you. Cheers to your new life together!
WOW! Such a beautiful couple! Such a wonderful day! The photographs show it all. Great job Rene Tate team.
Beautiful pictures René and Jesse! Tory and Tom – you two are such a beautiful couple and planned the most elegant wedding! So happy we were there to celebrate with you! Cheers to your new life together!
You captured how amazing the day was! I love the one with her looking back through her veil – I can picture the exact moment. Thank you so much for taking such amazing pictures for such an amazing couple!
These photos are breathtaking. You and Jesse truly did an outstanding job! It was a pleasure getting to know you. :)
VERY classy! They couldn’t have chosen a better photographer ;)
I absolutely LOVE the bridesmaid’s dresses! And the photos are pretty great, too. ;)
They look like such a fun couple! Great shoot!
Stunning!
I can’t even pick a favorite! I love the ones where they are laying down and just lovin’ on each other, I love the one of both their hands in the air, and all the ones with Pearlly wearing Huson’s hat. The veil looks gorgeous too … ah, love!
I can’t WAIT for you to be my photographer, Rene! :)
Rene! The photos with the yellow tile wall are gorgeous! What a beautiful couple!