It’s finally Friday!!! And yes, I’m aware it’s been Friday for the last 9 hours and 15 minutes…. And it wouldn’t be Friday without a couple of glitches, because it seems like the things you want the most in life, don’t come easily.  Including Friday. ;-)

Needless to say, we made it!  And I’m nervous.  I’m excited.  I’m relieved. I hope you think these announcements are as cool as I do.  Here’s the thing: they’ve been a long time coming. Things we’ve been dreaming about for years.  These announcements…. they are a step in the right direction.  A big step.  A leap.  A leap of faith on many accounts.  Rome was NOT built in a day and neither will René Tate Photography.  I wish I had some cool way to announce this, but in the midst of this crazy week to include many technical errors, a visit to the hospital, a couple nights of stress and tears, not a lot of sleep, and the purchasing of a brand new, white iPhone (happy!), I’m going to fall back on my trusty blog and just come out and say it. :-D

Announcement #1:

Michael, or Miguel as I call him, has been a part of the RTP team for years.  He’s edited thousands and thousands of images, he’s ran errands, he’s wrapped packages, he’s been a cat-sitter to Cal, you name it.  This guy is a Godsend.  And what the Lord gives he also takes away sometimes.  Michael is off to bigger things… he wants to be a pastor.  So this summer he’s doing an internship at his church.  His last day was last Friday.  We’re really going to miss him.  He’s taught me so much…  In addition, while Michael was at his last day at RTP, JESIE was interviewing for a new job.  She currently works 60 hours a week, outside of RTP, and is transitioning into a new job that will take much less of her time and energy.  She got the job, and will be starting soon! The cool part is, she’s able to come work in the RTP office two days a week with me and do a lot of what Michael was doing!  This is a huge step for us! I’m in awe of how good God’s timing is… everything, yet again, seems to have fallen into place perfectly.

Announcement #2:

Speaking of Jesie, she’s been with me for four wedding seasons.  I’ve been training her on the craft of photography, what it means to be a photographer, and what the RTP style is.  After four years, we’re ready to let this caged bird fly!  Starting in 2012 Jesie will be taking on HER OWN commissions, HER OWN weddings!  She’ll still be a part of RTP, but will not always be my second shooter, but her own FIRST SHOOTER!   So that means you can start booking her now for 2012!  She’ll have a second shooter and I’ll have a second shooter as well.  On the days when we’re not both booked, you’ll have Jes and myself. :-) Definitely a dream come true for us.

Announcement #3:

Speaking of dreams, it’s time to make a dream come true for one lucky couple for 2012!!  Details about our 2nd Annual Free Wedding Giveaway to follow! Start telling your friends!!

And because we like to under promise and over deliver…. we do have one more big announcement. :-)

**Special Announcement #4:

Remember that footage we shot last April in Garden of the Gods?  Ya’ll saw a 45 second clip of it this August.  Well, that was shot for a promo video for RTP.  And being the creative that I am, I never did feel right about it.  All year.  Well, we’re finally done with it!   It’s taken us a full year of introspection and actualization to come up with the monologue to go with it and I’m so excited to share it with you. Michael even wrote and composed the background music!! Hopefully this video gives you a better idea of who we are as photographers and what we do.  IN ADDITION, what good would a new promo video be without a new WEB SITE????  ReneTate.com is completely revamped and is laced with our new take on photography.  All that exploring and actualization and realization of what RTP is really about…. well, we’ve done our best to communicate it throughout the new website.  This puppy was a team effort between myself (design), Ben Lew (coding), and Adam Grumbo (video).  It’s been a long time coming and I’m THRILLLLLLLLLLED to share this dream come true with you!  Go ahead, soak up every detail that we’ve worked so hard on perfecting for you!
Warning: there are definitely a few glitches still, we’re aware of that.  For now, our site is best viewed in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple’s Safari, or you iPAD! :-)  Internet Explorer should be banned from computers… ;-)

**** ReneTate.com ****

It would make us so happy to hear your thoughts on the new site!! Please share them here! :) :)

Thank you all so much for your patience, your excitement, your patience, you support, and again, your patience.  We love you so so so much.  I can’t believe you want to be a part of this journey.  Here’s to the future.

With love,

René + Jesie

P.S. Congratulations to Emma Scherer on winning the Origins gift card!!!